Rosella flower extract (Hibiscus sabdariffa) has no significant impact on lowering blood glucose levels in healthy men after physical activity

Purpose of the study: This study aims to analyze rosella flower extract supplementation on blood glucose levels after physical activity.

Methods: This experimental research uses a pre and post control group design. Subjects were selected using purposive sampling technique. A total of 20 healthy men aged 19–25 years participated in this study and were divided into two groups, namely group K1 with placebo and K2 with rosella flower extract at a dose of 500 mg. Data collection begins with collecting data on subject characteristics. Next, the subjects were asked to warm up and do physical activity in the form of running 2400 meters with moderate intensity. One hour after running 2400 meters, the subject took a pre-test blood draw to measure blood glucose levels. Then the samples were given supplementation intervention based on their respective groups, K1 by giving a placebo and K2 by giving rosella flower extract at a dose of 500 mg. 60 minutes after administering the supplementation intervention, the subject underwent a post-test blood draw.

Results: The results of this study showed that there was no decrease in blood sugar levels in either the control or treatment groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: It can be concluded that administering rosella flower extract after physical exercise does not have a significant effect on reducing postexercise blood glucose levels.

1. Zhang H., Ni J., Yu C., Wu Y., Li J., Liu J., et al. Sex-based differences in diabetes prevalence and risk factors: A pop- ulation-based cross-sectional study among low-income adults in China. Front. Endocrinol. (Lausanne). 2019;10:658. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2019.00658

2. Wahidin M., Achadi A., Besral B., Kosen S., Nadjib M., Nurwahyuni A., et al. Projection of diabetes morbidity and mortality till 2045 in Indonesia based on risk factors and NCD prevention and control programs. Sci. Rep. 2024;14(1):5424. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-54563-2

3. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 2. Classification and diagnosis of diabetes : standards of medical care in diabetes — 2022. Diabetes Care. 2022;45(Suppl 1):517–538. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc22-S002

4. International Diabetes Federation. Five questions on the IDF Diabetes Atlas. Diabetes Res. Clin. Pract. 2013;102(2):147–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2013.10.013

5. Baena-Díez J.M., Peñafiel J., Subirana I., Ramos R., Elosua R., Marín-Ibañez A., et al. Risk of cause-specific death in individuals with diabetes: A competing risks analysis. Diabetes Care. 2016;39(11):1987–1995. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc16-0614

6. Munan M., Oliveira C.L.P., Marcotte-Chénard A., Rees J.L., Prado C.M., Riesco E., Boulé N.G. Acute and Chronic Effects of Exercise on Continuous Glucose Monitoring Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes: A Meta-Analysis. Front. Endocrinol. (Lausanne). 2020;11:495. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2020.00495

7. Liu J.X., Zhu L., Li P.J., Li N., Xu Y.B. Effectiveness of high-intensity interval training on glycemic control and cardiorespiratory fitness in patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Aging Clin. Exp. Res. 2019;31:(5):575–593. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-018-1012-z

8. Diabetes Canada Clinical Practice Guidelines Expert Committee; Sigal R.J., Armstrong M.J., Bacon S.L., Boulé N.G., Dasgupta K., Kenny G.P., Riddell M.C. Physical Activity and Diabetes. Can. J. Diabetes. 2018;42(Suppl 1):S54–S63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcjd.2017.10.008

9. Colberg S.R., Sigal R.J., Yardley J.E., Riddell M.C., Dunstan D.W., Dempsey P.C., Horton E.S., Castorino K., Tate D.F. Physical activity/exercise and diabetes: A position statement of the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2016;39(11):2065–2079. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc16-1728

10. Sari I. Effect of Diabetes Exercise on Reduction of Blood Glucose Levels in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus. Heal. Tadulako J. (Jurnal Kesehat. Tadulako). 2025;16(4):43–49. https://doi.org/10.22487/htj.v11i4.1785

11. Thiagarajah K., Ong M.K., Teh L.K., Lye H.S. Plants Infused Water as Preferred Healthy Drinks. In: Grumezescu A.M., Holban A.M. (eds). Bottled and Packaged Water. Vol. 4: The Science of Beverages. Elsevier Inc.; 2019, pp. 367–402. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-12-815272-0.00013-1

12. Riaz G., Chopra R. A review on phytochemistry and therapeutic uses of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Biomed. Pharmacother. 2018;102:575–586. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2018.03.023

13. Erni Tri Indarti. The Effect of Red Rosella Tea on Blood Glucose Individuals with Diabetes Mellitus Type II. J. Heal. Sci. 2022;15(02):154–159. https://doi.org/10.33086/jhs.v15i02.2835

14. Naimi S.S., Rahbar S., Asadi M.R., Radinmehr H., Talimkhani A., Doosti-Irani A., Hajvalie G.R. The Immediate Effects of Aerobic Exercise with and Without External Loads on Blood Glucose, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, and Body Temperature Indices in Type II Diabetic Patients. J. Tehran Univ. Hear. Cent. 2023;18(1):39–45. https://doi.org/10.18502/jthc.v18i1.12580

15. Ambelu T., Teferi G. The impact of exercise modalities on blood glucose, blood pressure and body composition in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. BMC Sports Sci. Med. Rehabil. 2023;15(1):153. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13102-023-00762-9

16. Mendes R., Sousa N., Almeida A., Subtil P., Guedes-Marques F., Reis V.M., Themudo-Barata J.L. Exercise prescription for patients with type 2 diabetes - A synthesis of international recommendations: Narrative review. Br. J. Sports Med. 2016;50(22):1379–1381. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-094895

17. Mohamed A.I., Salau V.F., Erukainure O.L., Islam M.S. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. polyphenolic-rich extract promotes muscle glucose uptake and inhibits intestinal glucose absorption with concomitant amelioration of Fe2+-induced hepatic oxidative injury. J. Food Biochem. 2022;46(12):e14399. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfbc.14399

18. Singh M., Thrimawithana T., Shukla R., Adhikari B. Extraction and characterization of polyphenolic compounds and potassium hydroxycitrate from Hibiscus sabdariffa. Futur. Foods. 2021;4:100087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fufo.2021.100087

19. Jin H.M., Dang B., Zhang W.G., Zheng W.C., Yang X.J. Polyphenol and Anthocyanin Composition and Activity of Highland Barley with Different Colors. Molecules. 2022;27(11):3411. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27113411

20. Khaleghi M., Ahmadi F., Hofmeister M. Effects of chocolate consumption on the health and performance of football players: A Systematic Review. Sports medicine: research and practice. 2024;14(3):26–34. https://doi.org/10.47529/2223-2524.2024.3.2

21. Ayubi N., Wibawa J.C., Sceisarriya V.M., Dafun Jr. P.B. Resistance training significantly increases insulin-like growth factor-1 levels in women with a sedentary lifestyle: A randomized controlled trial. Sports medicine: research and practice. 2025;15(3):34–43. https://doi.org/10.47529/2223-2524.2025.3.7

22. Syeda U.S.A., Battillo D., Visaria A., Malin S.K. The importance of exercise for glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. Am. J. Med. Open. 2023;9:100031. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajmo.2023.100031

23. Jung A.R., Kim H., Kim H.S., Kim C., Choi W.S. Exercise Strategies to Prevent Hypoglycemia in Patients with Diabetes. Korean J. Fam. Med. 2021;42(2):91–95. https://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.19.0043

24. Brooks G.A. Bioenergetics of exercising humans. Compr. Physiol. 2012;2(1):537–562. https://doi.org/10.1002/cphy.c110007

25. Ashcroft S.P., Stocks B., Egan B., Zierath J.R. Exercise induces tissue-specific adaptations to enhance cardiometabolic health. Cell Metab. 2024;36(2):278–300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cmet.2023.12.008

26. Jun Yu., Huan W., Haotong Yu. Meta-analysis of the effect of high-intensity interval training on improving blood lipid metabolism in female college students. Sports medicine: research and practice. 2025;15(2):58-66. https://doi.org/10.47529/2223-2524.2025.2.3

27. Ayubi N., Wibawa J.C., Aljunaid M. Physical Exercise at High Altitudes Increases Erythropoietin Hormone Secretion: A Systematic Review. Al-Rafidain Journal of Medical Sciences. 2024;7(1):29–33. https://doi.org/10.54133/ajms.v7i1.1031

28. Webster C.C., Noakes T.D., Chacko S.K., Swart J., Kohn T.A., Smith J.A. Gluconeogenesis during endurance exercise in cyclists habituated to a long-term low carbohydrate high-fat diet. J. Physiol. 2016;594(15):4389–4405. https://doi.org/10.1113/JP271934