
Fight Belly Fat With This Garden Cure
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
In a world full of fattening creations like deep-fried Oreos and taco shells made out of fried chicken, it’s hard not to pack on the pounds.
And even if you exercise regularly and skip these dietary disasters, you may still carry a little more weight around the middle than you would like to.
But extra weight, particularly belly fat, isn’t just a cosmetic problem. It can lead to devastating diseases like diabetes, heart disease and even liver disease.
Fortunately, researchers in Taiwan have discovered a simple flower that may be the key to dropping those extra pounds and shielding your body from the effects of obesity.
And, depending on where you live, it may be growing in your garden right now.
This fat-busting flower is hibiscus.
If you garden, you probably know all about this beautiful, brightly colored flower. But for years, hibiscus has been turning heads in the medical community, too.
In the past, it’s been found to lower blood pressure as effectively as some blood pressure medications. But more recently, it’s been the focus of obesity research.
In a recent study published in Food & Function, researchers split a group of obese folks into two groups. Half got 450 mg of hibiscus extract three times a day, and the other half got a placebo.
After just 12 weeks, hibiscus attacked obesity and fat in just about every way that matters.
The hibiscus group saw decreases in body weight, BMI, body fat and waist-to-hip ratios and waist measurements, an indicator the hibiscus reduced belly fat.
Smaller waist in just 12 weeks? And all you have to do is take a safe, affordable supplement? Sign me up!
Even better, hibiscus extract also lowered blood markers associated with life-threatening nonalcoholic liver disease, which is caused by poor diet and obesity.
Furthermore, hibiscus is loaded with anti-inflammatory properties that have been previously shown to have anti-diabetic and anti-cancer properties.Researchers believe hibiscus is so powerful because it helps your regulate your metabolism.
This means taking hibiscus extract could help you fight obesity and many of the diseases that come along with it!
You can add hibiscus to your diet by drinking hibiscus tea, which is tart, tangy and delightful in the summertime when iced.
If tea isn’t for you, you can always take hibiscus as a supplement. You can get hibiscus tea or supplements at natural health stores and through online retailers like vitacost.com.
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: feedback@livingwelldaily.com – and click here to like us on Facebook.
Sources
[2] Hibiscus may enhance weight control

Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Mailbag: The Calcium Mistake That's Hardening Your Arteries
“What type of calcium is best to take with bisphosphonates for osteoporosis? I know some varieties can build up in arteries. Thanks for the help.” —Bone Builder Hi Builder, When a patient asks me about calcium, I ask them a peculiar question in return… “Ever wonder how elephants and giraffes build and maintain their massive...
Doctor-Approved Method to Ditch Blood Pressure Meds
In a world where drug solutions dominate healthcare, it’s refreshing to discover that best remedies sometimes don’t involve a single pill. A groundbreaking study shows simple relaxation techniques could be your secret weapon against one of America’s deadliest health conditions. Best of all? It’s free, easy to start right away—and your results are bound to...
Trouble Hearing? Your Heart Could Be at Risk
With research exploding and data pouring in, scientists are uncovering some weird (and surprisingly helpful) health connections. Today’s odd couple? Hearing loss and heart failure. Turns out your ears and your ticker are more connected than you ever imagined. A major study published in the journal Heart looked at over 164,000 people for nearly a...
Stay Up Late? It Could Destroy Your Mental Health
If you dread mornings but come alive at night, there’s concerning new research you need to know about. A recent study found that “night owls” are at higher risk for depression. But before you rush to set your alarm to get up with the sun tomorrow, there’s more to the story… Chronotypes are essentially your...
Go from Flabby to Fit with this Common Vitamin
If you’re like many of us, you woke up one day, looked in the mirror, and realized you’re no spring chicken anymore. Even worse—when you weren’t paying attention—it seems you somehow misplaced the muscles of your youth and have gone from fit to flabby. Aging has a way of humbling us like that. But scientists...
Seasonal Allergy “Off Switch” Discovered in the GUT
“Doc, why am I suddenly suffering from seasonal allergies when I’ve never had them before?” It’s a question I get all the time—and my answer might surprise you. Stop looking up at the trees—and start looking down at your gut… Your sneezing fits, itchy eyes, and runny nose might have more to do with what’s...
“Canary in the Coal Mine” Test Sniffs Out Brain Issues Early
One of the most common questions I get is how to tell if you’re starting to experience cognitive decline. I get it—losing your memory is scary, especially when it sneaks up on you. But here’s some exciting news that might put your mind at ease. A fascinating new study suggests that your nose might be...
BEAT Stubborn Leg Swelling Without Dangerous Diuretics
“I need help with edema.” —Swollen Hi Swollen, When patients complain of edema—fluid retention that causes feet, ankles, and legs to swell—I explain that, while conventional medicine immediately prescribes diuretic drugs, nature offers us effective solutions we can try first. I’ll share those in just a moment, but first, let’s take a quick look at...
Mental Health Linked to 30% FASTER Aging [6-Step FIX]
Your mind and body are more connected than you might realize—and a groundbreaking new study proves just how profound that connection really is. In fact, it’s this mind-body link that helps explain why battling depression can put you on the fast track to physical decline. Depression is the most common mental health condition worldwide. We’ve...
The Air You Breathe Is Silently Stealing Your Memory
You already know that air pollution damages your lungs. Chances are you’ve heard it can also harm your heart. And I bet you won’t be surprised when I tell you it claims millions of lives annually. But now, alarming new research suggests polluted air might also damage your brain. This study found that long-term exposure...