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
Mailbag: Natural Fixes for Stubborn Toenail Fungus
“Is there an actual cure for toenail fungus?” —Feeling Frustrated If you are frustrated because you’ve been battling toenail fungus, I’m not surprised. Toenail fungus is incredibly difficult to treat. But don’t give up. With a combination of natural treatments and patience, relief is possible. Here’s what’s worked for my patients in the past… Tea...
Science Reveals Late-Night Anxiety is REAL (Here’s the Fix)
Ever notice how your problems seem WORSE at 3 AM? It turns out those middle-of-the-night anxiety-filled thoughts aren’t just in your head. Research reveals that your brain actually functions differently after midnight. In fact, what goes on during those dark hours could be sabotage your sleep and your decisions. But before you reach for a...
Normal Blood Pressure In 4 Weeks WITHOUT Drugs
High blood pressure affects millions of us. And these hypertension (high blood pressure) medications work, but they often come with unwanted side effects. However, we might have another option. A new study confirms that an often-overlooked root vegetable can help normalize blood pressure FAST… Research conducted by scientists at Queen Mary University of London revealed...
Spice Slashes Age-Related Vision Loss Risk
As you get older, the more likely you are to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In fact, one in seven people over 50 already have some evidence of this vision-robbing disease. That works out to about 1.5 million people. But you don’t have to be one of them. A small change you make starting today...
Four Medicine Cabinet Culprits Making You Fat
Picture this. You’re doing everything “right.” You’re trying to manage your weight by watching portion sizes, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep. But the numbers on the scale won’t go down. Even worse, you realize they’ve been slowly CLIMBING. If this sounds familiar, the culprit could be hiding in your medicine cabinet. Keep reading to...
Why Age STEALS Your Sleep—And How to Take It Back
As we journey through life, we may find ourselves becoming unwilling members of the “tossing and turning” club. If you’ve noticed that restful nights are slipping further away with each passing year, you’re not alone. But why does this happen? Let’s shed some light on the causes of age-related sleep changes and explore how you...
Dodge Dementia with this Two Step Back-to-Basics Plan
You know the saying, “Everything old is new again,” right? Well, it turns out for dementia prevention, it’s spot on. In fact, new research supports two “old-school” solutions for protecting brain health. If you thought shielding yourself against dementia would be complicated, let me show you how simple it can be… When I counsel my...
Mailbag: Naturally Target Cholesterol
“I’m being treated for breast cancer. However, I was also recently diagnosed with atherosclerosis. My cholesterol is 249, and I was prescribed Lipitor. I’m on a plant-based diet and sometimes eat wild-caught salmon two to three times a week. What are the best natural ways to lower cholesterol?” -Naturally Cutting Cholesterol Hi Naturally, Your proactive...
Surprising Link Between Balance and Weight REVEALED
Think balance exercises are just for preventing falls? If so, think again. This often-overlooked aspect of fitness could also be the missing piece in your weight loss puzzle—especially as you age. Recent research suggests that improving your balance could be a game-changer for maintaining a healthy weight AND staying steady on your feet. And these...
These Common Kitchen Tools Could Triple Your Cancer Risk
Could you do me a favor? Take a look in your kitchen drawers. Do you spot any black plastic spatulas or spoons? If so, please keep reading… Because researchers have just discovered something about these common kitchen tools, you can’t afford to miss. They could literally be making you sick. Here’s why… A shocking study...