Hostname: page-component-5db58dd55d-688nx Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-25T07:48:00.388Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Acute impact of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces on postprandial lipids, biomarkers of insulin resistance and inflammation in humans

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 November 2016

S.M. Abubakar ,
J.P.E. Spencer  and
J.A. Lovegrove
S.M. Abubakar
Affiliation:
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences and Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, University of Reading, Reading, UK Department of Biochemistry, Bayero University, P.M.B. 3011, Kano, Nigeria
J.P.E. Spencer
Affiliation:
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences and Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, University of Reading, Reading, UK
J.A. Lovegrove
Affiliation:
Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences and Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research, University of Reading, Reading, UK
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

An abstract is not available for this content. As you have access to this content, full HTML content is provided on this page. A PDF of this content is also available in through the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces (HSC) is consumed as an infusion in many countries and considered to have lipid lowering ability(Reference Aziz, Wong and Chong1–Reference Hopkins, Lamm and Funk3), although the evidence is limited. This study aimed to investigate the acute impact of HSC extract consumption on cardiometabolic risk markers in men with 1 to 10  % risk ofdeveloping cardiovascular disease (CVD) in 10 years.

A randomised, controlled, single-blinded, cross over study involving 22 men (49 ± 2 years and BMI 26·9 ± 0·7 kg/m2), was conducted in accordance with the declaration of Helsinki and Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT). The study was registered as NTC02165553 ClinicalTrials.gov. Volunteers were randomised to consume either 250 ml of the aqueous extract of HSC (containing 150 mg anthocyanins) or water control with mixed breakfast (containing 70·2 g carbohydrate, 50·1 g fat and 8·6 g protein), followed by a lunch (containing 70·1 g carbohydrate, 24·9 g fat and 12·8 g protein) at 2 hours on two separate occasions separated by 2 weeks. Blood samples were collected at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, 210 and 240 minutes post consumption of the extract of HSC or water. Postprandial glucose, insulin, triacylglycerol (TAG), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and C-reactive protein – ultra sensitive (CRP-US) responses were determined.

There was significant increase (p = 0·026) in the area under 0 to 120 minutes TAC response curve when hibiscus drink consumption was compared to water (1). Although there was a tendency towards a reduced serum glucose, plasma insulin, serum TAG and CRP-US levels following acute consumption of the extract of HSC, these changes did not reach statistical significance (p > 0·05).

Acute consumption of HSC extract (containing 150 mg anthocyanins) improved postprandial systemic antioxidant response, but did not affect postprandial glycaemic, lipidaemic or inflammatory responses.

Fig. 1.

Area under glucose (mmol/L*min.), insulin (nmol/L*min), TAG (mmol/L*min) and TAC (mmol Trolox Eq./L*min) response curves for 0–120 minutes (a) and 121–240 minutes (b).

References

1.Aziz, Z, Wong, SY & Chong, NJ (2013) J Ethnopharmacol 150, 442–450.Google Scholar
2.Da-Costa-Rocha, I, Bonlaender, B, Sievers, H et al. (2014) Food Chem 165, 424–443.Google Scholar
3.Hopkins, AL, Lamm, MG, Funk, JL et al. (2013) Fitoterap 85, 84–94.Google Scholar
Figure 0

Fig. 1. Area under glucose (mmol/L*min.), insulin (nmol/L*min), TAG (mmol/L*min) and TAC (mmol Trolox Eq./L*min) response curves for 0–120 minutes (a) and 121–240 minutes (b).