Petal Power
Edible hibiscus flowers are ‘in vogue’ for dropping into a glass of fizz and watching their petals unfurl. New research1 has uncovered that as well as adding a touch of glamour to parties, the tropical flower could help you with your resolutions this New Year…
Researchers looked at the effect of feeding hibiscus flower extracts to animals on high fat diets. They found that the flower extracts were able to reduce the symptoms of obesity in a dose dependent manner i.e. the more extract given, the more the symptoms were reduced. The symptoms the extracts were able to reduce included ‘fatty liver’, loss of blood glucose regulation and an increase in fat cells.
The scientists concluded that the hibiscus flower extracts were an ‘effective and viable’ treatment strategy for ‘preventing the development and treating the symptoms of obesity’.
Hibiscus flower products
Other than the flowers in syrup to drop in Champagne, which perhaps isn’t the best strategy to lose weight, hibiscus products are hard to come by in the UK. Natur Boutique, specialists in herbal teas, produce an Organic Diet Tea however. Available through Holland and Barrett stores, the drink combines organic hibiscus with organic pineapple and organic green and java teas to create an exciting and effective tea, which provides a tasty way to experience the benefits of hibiscus.
Statistics released by the Government’s ‘Be Real’ campaign highlighted that 87% of girls aged 11-21 think that women are judged more on their appearance than on their ability.
Just now before Xmas, people often eat loads of cookies, chocolates, cakes and biscuits and all of that other scrummy stuff....but we all know the old saying: one moment on the lips forever on the hips...So we have compiled a delicious, low calorie and fast recipe to try at home...Nana's pea and mint soup. Bon Appetite!