The benefits of roselle for the health of the body are not small. Plants that are often processed and consumed as herbal teas are believed to prevent high blood pressure and maintain heart health. Not only that, there are various other benefits that you can get from roselle.
Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a type of tropical plant originating from Africa. However, roselle can now be easily found in various parts of the world, including in Indonesia.
In Indonesia itself, roselle is often processed into herbal teas. In addition, roselle is also available in various forms, ranging from jam, syrup, to capsules and powders.
Roselle Nutrient Content
The variety of benefits offered by roselle certainly cannot be separated from the nutritional content in it. The following are some of the nutrients contained in roselle:
- Carbohydrate
- Protein
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
Not only that, roselle also contains various types of antioxidants, such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, and polyphenols.
Various Benefits of Roselle for Health
There are several benefits that can be obtained from consuming roselle, including:
1. Lowers blood pressure
One of the most popular properties of roselle is being able to lower blood pressure. This is supported by several studies that prove that consumption of roselle regularly for 2-6 weeks can reduce blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension.
In fact, there are also studies that show roselle is more effective in lowering blood pressure compared to several types of drugs that are often prescribed for people with mild to moderate hypertension.
However, further research is still needed on the effectiveness and safety level of consuming roselle to treat high blood pressure.
2. Overcoming high cholesterol
Roselle is believed to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) while increasing good cholesterol (HDL) in the body. In addition, roselle is also useful for maintaining stable blood sugar levels. The combination of these benefits makes roselle good for consumption by people with type 2 diabetes.
3. Prevent heart disease
As previously explained, roselle is able to lower blood pressure, overcome high cholesterol, and keep blood sugar levels stable.
Thus, roselle is useful for maintaining heart health and reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and stroke.
4. Maintain liver function
A study showed that consumption of roselle extract for 12 weeks, can reduce the accumulation of fat in the liver which is one of the causes of liver failure.
Not only that, a study also states that consumption of roselle can reduce the risk of liver damage due to long-term consumption of drugs. However, the benefits of roselle in maintaining the health of the liver still need to be studied further.
5. Counteract the effects of free radicals
Roselle is a plant that is rich in antioxidants. This content is able to protect body cells from the effects of exposure to free radicals, which can trigger various diseases such as cancer.
Not only that, several studies have also shown that the antioxidant content in roselle has the potential to prevent premature aging and inhibit the development of degenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.
6. Fights bacterial infections in the body
The next benefit of roselle is to fight bacterial infections that can cause various diseases, such as pneumonia, bronchitis, and urinary tract infections.
However, so far this research is still limited to laboratory trials. Therefore, the effectiveness of roselle in treating diseases caused by bacterial infections still needs to be studied further.
7. Prevents the risk of obesity
Not only counteract the effects of free radicals, the antioxidant content in roselle is also able to inhibit and reduce the buildup of fatty tissue in the body, thus preventing obesity.
However, not only by consuming roselle, you also need to exercise regularly and have a healthy diet to prevent obesity and maintain an ideal body weight.
In addition to offering the various benefits above, roselle is also believed to be useful for relieving fever, treating cold symptoms, and overcoming constipation. However, further research is still needed to confirm the various claims for the benefits of roselle.
Apart from the various benefits that can be provided, roselle also has the potential to cause drug interaction effects when consumed together with other drugs or supplements. An example is the consumption of roselle along with hypertension drugs can cause blood pressure to be too low or hypotension.
Therefore, to be on the safe side, you are advised to consult a doctor first before consuming roselle, especially if you have certain diseases or medical conditions.