Keto Pink Passion Hibiscus Iced Latte

I’m always trying to recreate my favorite naughty foods and drinks into healthier versions. The other day I was at Target and instead of grabbing a Passion Tea Latte at Starbucks, like I wanted to…. I decided to just grab the ingredients to make one at home instead… there’s nothing unhealthy about iced herbal tea with a splash of cream, or is there???

Luckily, my healthy-habits prevented me from making a HUGE mistake…..

Who’d have thought that GMOs are as far reaching as tea bags?

Yep. That TAZO Passion Fruit Tea that Starbucks uses and that you can purchase to make at home, have an awesome little disclaimer right on their packaging.. contains Genetically Modified Ingredients” THANK YOU for your transparency TAZO!

I mean really..

You can’t make tea without GMOs folks?

Is nothing off limits to the far reaching destruction of @ssholes like Monsanto?

Annoyingly I put down the box of tea bags and decided to find a better, healthier option so that we can all still enjoy that pepto-pink iced latte deliciousness without any of the GMO ingredients!

Not only is THIS ORGANIC HIBISCUS tea healthier than the Starbucks/Tazo version but it seriously has so much more flavor! OH, and since you are buying it in bulk, vs individual tea bags, it significantly less expensive!

Health Benefits of Hibiscus Tea

1. Reduces High Blood Pressure – Scientific studies suggest that daily hibiscus tea consumption may benefit people with slightly increased blood pressure. In a six-week study published in the Journal of Nutrition, researchers discovered that hibiscus tea has a greater effect lowering systolic blood pressure than the placebo group, in 65 adults with mildly high blood pressure or pre-hypertension.
2. Helps Lower Cholesterol – The antioxidant properties in hibiscus tea are also thought to benefit people with high cholesterol. Animal studies have found that hibiscus tea may lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, also known as “the bad” cholesterol.
3. Beneficial Tea for Diabetics – In a study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine in 2009, researchers found that hibiscus tea could significantly reduce LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol, and raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels in 53 type 2 diabetics.
4. Offers Liver Protection – The antioxidant properties of hibiscus tea may also help treat liver disease. In a study published in the journal Food and Chemical Toxicology in 2000, researchers found that the anthocyannins in hibiscus tea could significantly reduce inflammatory liver lesions and oxidative liver damage in rats with toxic livers.
5. Anti-cancer Properties – The hibiscus protocatechuic acid found in hibiscus tea has strong antioxidant and anti-tumor properties. In a study published in the journal Biochemical Pharmacology in 2000, researchers from the Department and Institute of Biochemistry at the Chung Shan Medical and Dental College in Taichung, Taiwan suggested that the protocatechuic acid in hibiscus tea inhibits cancer cell growth by inducing cell death in human leukemia cells.
6. Helps Relieve Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression – Hibiscus tea health benefits also include calming the nervous system. This helps put people into a positive mind frame to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. In a study published in the Indian Journal of Pharmacology in 2012, researchers found that the flavonoids, anthocyanins and anthocyanidins in hibiscus have potential antidepressant activity. Another study from 2012 found that other hibiscus species can help reduce depression in mice.
7. Benefits Weight Loss – Hibiscus tea may also be a useful component to a weight loss program. Hibiscus tea is low-in-calories, and it is a diuretic herb that helps flush toxins and excess fluids in the body. In a 12-week study published in the journal Food & Function in 2014, researchers found that hibiscus extract consumption could reduce obesity and abdominal fat, and improve liver damage in obese individuals. Research published in the journal Medical Hypotheses in 2002 also suggests that hibiscus tea may be a natural weight loss alternative. Furthermore, a 2010 review suggests that herbal teas like hibiscus tea can help support weight loss by increasing the intake of fluids.
8. Improves Digestion – Hibiscus tea is also considered a valuable digestive aid, and it is thought to improve bowel and bladder function. The diuretic properties of hibiscus tea will also help treat constipation and improve the strength of the gastrointestinal system. The anti-spasmodic effect of hibiscus tea is considered useful for symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome.
9. Helps Boost the Immune System – The high amount of vitamin C in hibiscus tea is considered a great immune system booster, and it can help prevent against colds and the flu. It has the ability to lower body temperature, and therefore hibiscus tea benefits people with a fever as well.
10. Helps Improve Skin Conditions – The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties in hibiscus tea such as vitamin C and A can effectively treat acne, scars, sunburns, eczema, and skin allergies.

And as a friendly reminder, GMO and toxic contamination does’t stop at the tea bags, it’s just something I wanted to call your attention to. Be sure that you are also choosing Organic Heavy Cream, preferably from exclusively pasture/grass-fed cows and raw if you can!

Pink Passion Hibiscus Latte

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Ingredients

For the Hibiscus Tea Concentrate

• 1/4 cup loose Hibiscus tea
• 4 cups Water, filtered
• 1 medium lemon, juiced

• Heavy Cream, A2 Pasture Raised
• vanilla monk fruit sweetener to taste

Instructions

• Steep hibiscus tea in boiling water for 5 minutes. Strain, add lemon juice and chill.
• Fill each glass with ice, add tea concentrate, splash of heavy cream and sweetener to taste. Mix and enjoy!

Tried this recipe?Mention @HealthStartsinthekitchen or tag #HealthStartsInTheKitchen!