Nutritional quality and health benefits of roselle calyces

Abstract Roselle calyces (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) were evaluated through a critical study of existing research works on health benefits, mineral compositions, bioactive compositions, mechanisms, and possible research gaps. The use of roselle calyces as an alternative to synthetic food dyes, addressing growing global challenges of overweight, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, was evaluated and encouraged. Studies indicate the attenuation of obesity by chlorogenic acid (the predominant phenolic compound in roselle calyx) via mechanisms associated with the UCP-1 and PGC-1α pathways, resulting in reduced blood lipid levels, reduced fat accumulation in the liver, and increased thermogenesis through fat metabolism. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of known bacteria and fungi, such as Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhimurium, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei, were studied. More research, however, needs to be conducted on organic acids present in roselle calyces to look into their possible applications and maximize their possible benefits.