Ingredients:: Roselle (Hibiscus Sabdariffa)

This is a follow up to my Sorrel Juice post a few months back when I promised to highlight the benefits associated with them.
To be honest, I have been putting off writing this for a while now, just because I am wary of my approach towards food being translated into some kind of health freakishness since my love for food and eating probably makes me the unlikeliest candidate for such a label. I mean health benefits would be the last thing on my mind if I came across a serving of meatloaf that has my name written all over it. Having said that though, the benefits of foods to our health and well-being is something that is now a part of our daily consciousness (and sub conscious) which is alright as long as food and eating is not treated as some form of self medication.

For the sake of clarification: Sorrel (Rumex Acetosa) is not the same as Roselle (Hibiscus Sabdariffa). So even though the beverage is usually referred to as Sorrel Juice/Tea, it is actually made from the flowery waxy calyces of the Roselle and not the leafy Sorrel plant.The plant is native to a broad demograph of the world tropical regions, which spans across Australia, Nepal, Thailand, Africa, Middle East, Caribbean and even Latin America.

Health Benefits of Sorrel (Roselle) Juice:
While there are just loads and loads of health claims floating about about this amazing plant I am going to be minimalistic and stick with the basic scientifically proven facts.

1. Antioxidants - It has high levels of flavonoids which controls harmful free radicals in the body. Your heart will thank you for this!
2. Lowers Cholesterol 
3. Antihypertensive 
4. Reduces the symptoms of Cystitis and other Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) - Alot of women already vouch for the potency of cranberry juice to achieve this, but Sorrel Juice has been proven to be more effective
5. Weight Loss - The production of amylase is inhibited; which is the enzyme that breaks down complex sugars and starches
6. Mild Diuretic for water retention
7. Vitamin C boost - It actually contains 3 times more Vitamin C than blackcurrant and 9 times more than other citrus fruits (Citrus Sinensis L)

Sources
McKay D.L., Chen C.Y., Saltzman E., Blumberg J.B. "Hibiscus Sabdariffa L tea lowers blood pressure in prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults". Journal of Nutrition, 2010 Feb: 140(2): 298-303.
Hausawadi C., Kawabata J., Kasai T. "Hibiscus acid as an inhibitor of starch digestion in the Caco-2 cell model system". Bioscience Biotechnology Biochemistry, 2001: 65: 2087-2089.
Carvajal-Zarrabal O., Haywood-Jones P.M., Orta-Flores Z., Nolasco-Hipolito C., Barradas-Dermitz D.M., Aguilar-Usang M.G., Pedroza-Hernandez M.F. "Effect of Hibiscus Sabdariffa L dried ethanol extract on fat absorption - excretion, and body weight implication in rats.
Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation.

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