Fight Belly Fat With This Garden Cure
By
Natalie Moore
Posted March 7, 2017
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
Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...