Can diabetics drink hibiscus tea to relieve constipation?

Generally, diabetic patients can drink hibiscus to relieve constipation, but excessive consumption should be avoided. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Hibiscus contains abundant vitamin C, dietary fiber, and various minerals. These components help promote intestinal motility and increase stool bulk, thereby alleviating constipation. Constipation in diabetic patients is mainly caused by an improper diet structure or lack of physical activity, and moderate consumption of hibiscus can help relieve symptoms of constipation.

However, hibiscus contains a high amount of organic acids. While moderate consumption can help promote gastrointestinal motility, excessive intake may irritate the gastrointestinal tract, causing discomfort such as abdominal pain and diarrhea. Additionally, hibiscus naturally contains sugars, primarily fructose. Excessive fructose intake can also elevate blood glucose levels, thereby affecting blood sugar control in diabetic patients. Therefore, excessive consumption of hibiscus is not recommended.

In daily life, diabetic patients should also focus on a balanced diet, moderate exercise, and maintaining adequate water intake to prevent constipation.