'I'm a nutritionist - this red drink will help reduce bloating and lower blood pressure'

An expert revealed a hibiscus infusion could reduce bloating (Image: Getty)

Bloating is a common phenomenon experienced by many of us. Whether a result of eating a certain type of food, drinking a particularly gassy beverage or an underlying health condition, it can be uncomfortable and frustrating. 

With this in mind, one expert shared a simple remedy she has used herself to banish a bloated stomach.

According to nutritionist Laura Parada, hibiscus tea has a myriad of health benefits - including “reducing” abdominal swelling.

In her book, ‘What makes us eat like this?’ which is referenced in an El HuffPost article, she explains that the hibiscus flower has many different medicinal properties.

This includes reducing bloating, with hibiscus flower infusion is already used in many parts of the world as an anti-inflammatory remedy.

Hibiscus tea could help aid your digestive system (Image: Getty)

She said: "This red flower with medicinal properties is known as hibiscus rose or rosella. It is originally from Africa, but today it is grown in many regions of the world and is used to prepare infusions." These infusions are taken both cold and hot and "are used in many cultures to combat insomnia, heart problems and inflammation”. 

“They also help speed up metabolism and reduce blood pressure," Parada continued.

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"The fruit acids present in this flower can act as laxatives. In addition to having a digestive effect, it helps combat heartburn, gastric spasms, gastroenteritis and gas." 

Parada added that hibiscus flower tea is also often recommended to reduce blood pressure, reduce blood sugar and body fat and improve kidney function. According to Parada, these medicinal and diuretic properties are attributed to "its high content of iron and vitamin C, minerals and antioxidants such as polyphenols."

She said it also has anti-inflammatory properties thanks precisely to its polyphenol content, which are plant compounds that nutritionists recommend for the prevention of many diseases with anti-ageing and antioxidant properties. Her advice is backed by experts at Holland & Barrett who say hibiscus tea has multiple benefits.

These include:

• Lowering cholesterol
• Lowering blood pressure
• Being packed with vitamins and antioxidants
• Aiding weight loss efforts.

In terms of bloating, Holland & Barrett added that hibiscus tea can help your digestive system “run smoothly”, something that can help reduce bloating. It said: “Hibiscus tea also might function as a natural diuretic, which helps to remove water and sodium from the body, which can contribute to normal urination and bowel movements.”

To create the drink you can add dried hibiscus flowers to boiled water, where they soak for 10 minutes before being removed. Loose hibiscus flowers can be bought online or in health stores. 

Or hibiscus tea bags are also available from places like Holland & Barrett and Amazon. However, some health bodies warn that the drink may not be safe for children or pregnant women.