Do you know Zobo Drink is good for you? If you don’t, that is what City People recently discovered. The English name for zobo (in the Hausa language) drink is Hibiscus tea, a popular beverage used for therapeutic purposes in many parts of the world. Many international and Nigerian restaurants have it listed in their meal menu for customers to enjoy with other foods. If you’re trying to drink zobo for the first time, you might be pleasantly surprised by how fresh and delicious it tastes. Zobo drink can be prepared and consumed without sugar but if you must sweeten it, use natural fresh fruits as they are healthy and better. Fruits to add to your zobo leaves while cooking or preparing include; pineapple, watermelon, citrus fruits (oranges, lime, lemon, tangerines, etc), mangos, apples, and beetroots......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
In addition to the fruits, other ingredients for zobo drink are cloves, known as konafuru in Yoruba, fresh ginger, water, zobo flavours (optional as you can use fruits instead ), sugar ( optional), and of course the zobo leaves. If after making your zobo drink and it tastes bitter, perhaps you used too much ginger or clove which can be remedied by adding fresh sweet fruits, a little portion of zobo leave, and clean hot water.
Hibiscus plants have a variety of species (karkade, red tea, red sorrel, Jamaica sorrel, rosella, soborodo, roselle, and sour tea) across all continents of the earth which include Africa. Among all, Roselle is the most frequent kind used in making zobo drinks in Nigeria and around the world. Aside from Africa, hibiscus rosa-sinensis is also used in Indian Ayurveda for a variety of medical purposes.
Hibiscus tea is safe and okay to drink daily but ensure you don’t exceed one cup ( 720 mL daily ) and consume lots of water to balance it up in your system. You can as well stop drinking Zobo if you notice side effects like gas, hormone fluctuations, diarrhea, stomach upset, and constipation. Hibiscus tea is best consumed at any time of day, whether it is morning, noon, evening, or night, before going to bed.
The dried zobo leave is researched to be loaded with amazing nutritional values ranging from Vitamin C, Carotene, Calcium, Iron, Niacin, Riboflavin, Fiber, Fat, Thiamine, Phosphorous, etc. These nutrients are what make up the health benefits of Zobo drink.
Nutritionists say “one cup of zobo drink daily alongside your meals can help prevent certain diseases and disorders” and this is due to the anti-bacterial qualities, water-soluble antioxidants, antioxidants, anti-hypertensive effects, and more found in it.
Now that you are aware of the greatness of hibiscus tea, let’s look at the major benefits, alas you will see a good reason why you need to incorporate it into your diet every day.
(1) HEALTH BENEFITS
BOOST IMMUNE SYSTEM
Zobo drink is prepared with high vitamin C fresh fruits, dried zobo leave (contains Vitamin C), clove, and ginger, which makes it rich in vitamins and antioxidants, capable of improving your body’s immune system and metabolism. According to a study, Zobo contains Vitamin C which raises the immune system of the body and this research confirms the presence of a moderate amount of Vitamin C which is higher in dark red variety.
(2) HELPS WITH FERTILITY BOOST
Is Zobo good for fertility? Perhaps for men not women. Zobo drink for men helps boost sperm and promote fertility whereas it’s the opposite in the case of women. Hibiscus tea when combined with ginger and consumed every day, can help to improve sperm fertility.
For women, Zobo drink can help with irregular menstruation but is bad for your ovulation. So avoid it if you are a woman trying to conceive. In a nutshell, Zobo drink does not have a negative impact on male fertility. Rather, it aids in the enhancement of sperm count and motility in male sperm.
Note: Studies about this claim are ongoing and will be published once experts conclude.
(3) HELP REDUCE BLOOD PRESSURE
One common known health benefit of zobo drink is that it can help lower high blood pressure. A number of studies have proved that Hibiscus tea is good for hypertensive patients as it can reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Though zobo is scientifically proven to be good for high blood pressure sufferers, it is not good for those who are using hydrochlorothiazide, a type of diuretic used to treat high blood pressure, as it may interact with the medication study.
Note: Being hypertensive places extra strain on your heart and weakens the heart. High blood pressure increases the chance of getting down with heart disease NCBI. So you can take Zobo drink to lower your heart readings.
(4) COULD AID WITH WEIGHT LOSS
Several studies suggest that hibiscus tea may be associated with weight loss and protect against obesity. Several studies are of the opinion that hibiscus tea can be all you need to burn out that body or belly fat. According to one study report, 36 overweight participants were given hibiscus extract and they lost body weight, body fat, body mass index, and hip-to-waist ratio after 12weeks. A similar result was obtained in the case where animals were used and there was a loss of body weight after. So, if you are overweight, fat, or obesed, one cup of zobo drink may help shed off extra pounds and slim you down.
(5) RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS
Being rich in powerful antioxidants is another impressive health benefits of Zobo drink as it helps ward off free radicals, which can cause cell damage. One study showed that hibiscus extract increased the number of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the harmful effects of free radicals by up to 92%.
(6) COULD REDUCE CHOLESTEROL OR BLOOD FAT LEVELS
High cholesterol is associated with the risk of heart disease. A number of studies have shown that hibiscus extract can help reduce blood fat levels. One study experimented with 60 diabetic patients, some were given hibiscus tea and others black tea. And after one month, people who drank hibiscus tea experienced a significant increase of “good” HDL cholesterol and total decrease in cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
(7) MAY HELP WITH MENSTRUAL PAIN
Is hibiscus good for periods? Yes, Hibiscus tea can be advantageous during periods. The traditional health benefits of hibiscus tea include cramp reduction and menstrual pain relief. Due to hormonal changes, during menstruation, mood swings, overeating or depression may set in all you need do is feed your body system with one cup of zobo drink.
(8) PROMOTE BETTER SLEEP
Can I drink hibiscus tea before bed? Yes. In fact, the best organic tea to help you sleep better is Hibiscus tea. It contains melatonin which helps regulate our sleep-wake cycle. Melatonin is a substance secreted by the pineal gland in the brain that helps regulate sleep cycles and treats insomnia. Because hibiscus is an antioxidant-rich plant with numerous health advantages, drinking zobo before bedtime may help you relax, and enhance more than just the quality of your sleep. This tea has received a lot of positive feedback from reviewers. It’s said to have a lot of flavors and a lovely scent.
(9) COULD
PREVENT CANCER
Cancer is a disease in which some of the body’s cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts of the body. Cancer can start almost anywhere in the human body, which is made up of trillions of cells. To prevent it study suggest Hibiscus tea. Hibiscus contains Polyphenols compounds, which are demonstrated to have potent anti-cancer properties, hence could aid slow tumor growth and preventing cancer study.
(10) MAY HELP COMBAT ANEMIA
Is zobo good for anemia? Yes. As a matter of fact, zobo drink is rich in iron and has haematocrit characteristics, which result in increased blood volume and can be used to treat anemia Researchgate. The drink can also lower the number of white blood cells in the body. This claim answers the question “Does zobo drink give blood? Anemia is a condition in which you lack enough healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your body’s tissues. Having anemia, also referred to as low hemoglobin, can make you feel tired and weak Mayo clinic.
(11) INCREASE YOUR APPETITE FOR FOOD
Loss of appetite can be managed and regained with a Zobo drink. Sometimes your lack of appetite for food can be a result of a digestive system issue which a drink of Hibiscus tea can resolve. Know that Zobo drink contains calcium, carotene, iron, free caffeine, fiber, and other minerals and vitamins. So when you drink zobo, it will help your stomach to work properly, and increase your appetite for food. In addition, Hibiscus tea is packed with anti-bacterial characteristics, the nutrients in the drink can help you lose weight while also overcoming any worms or germs in your digestive tract.
(12) MAY HELP WITH KIDNEY DISEASE
Hibiscus tea is researched to be good for kidneys especially as it’s loaded with antioxidants that eliminate Free radicals, which can be harmful to the kidneys. Remember that both kidneys have two important functions in the body: they regulate body fluids and excrete toxic wastes. When the kidneys are healthy, they filter and clean the blood and excrete waste through urine, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse, source. Now, it’s no news that our diet, exercise, and medical checkups and treatments all play a role in keeping the kidneys healthy. The buildup of uric acid and oxalic acid in the kidney can lead to the production of kidney stones, which can have serious health consequences.
On that note, A phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicological analysis of the hibiscus plant by NCBI showed that the consumption of zobo drink results in a significant decrease in the concentrations of creatinine, uric acid, citrate, tartrate, calcium, sodium, potassium and phosphate in the urine and improved kidney function. Uric acid has long been suspected as a potentially modifiable risk factor for Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) while elevated creatinine level signifies impaired kidney function or kidney disease.
Another study claim that persons with renal problems should consume Zobo drink on a regular basis since the traditional drink contains 15 to 30 percent organic acids such as tartaric acid, citric acid, and maleic acid. These acids can aid in the kidneys’ ability to filter out oxalic and uric acid, two wastes that can cause kidney stones. However, it is preferable not to add any additional sugar to the drink in order for the natural essence of the Zobo drink to operate better.
(13) MAY SUPPORT TO BURN BELLY FAT
One of key-value of the Zobo drink is that it helps you lose weight. A healthy body system is achieved when the whole body organs and blood is cleansed, the digestive tract is working to ensure foods are absorbed easily and fast and not deposited as fat or dead weight. Zobo is a NO or ZERO calorie drink rich in minerals and vitamins, it is found to help hasten up the breakdown of fat and consequently stop extra deposits in the fat cells.
If you have fat stored in your belly or body, drinking Zobo may help. One cup of zobo daily can quench your thirst, remove excess fluid from your body tissues, improve metabolic processes and avoid vitamin deficiency in low-calorie diets and give you a flat tummy.
(14) PROMOTE RADIANT AND GLOWING SKIN
Having glowing and radiant skin is everyone’s desire but to achieve it, lots of diet and lifestyle changes need to be made. If before now, you don’t have Zobo drink in your diet, maybe it’s time to consider adding it. Zobo drink helps clear off age-related spots, gives you a unique fresher, younger, smoother-looking tone and skin. The natural acids present in Hibiscus help to purify your skin by breaking down dead skin and increasing cell turnover, they can even help to control pimples (acne) breakouts.
(20) HELP REDUCE BLOOD SUGAR LEVEL
Are you fond of drinking beverages but discouraged due to your present health condition? Then you have nothing to worry about as zobo drink can be a great replacement option for you! Zobo drink is powerful and medicinal to help lower your blood sugar level. It is researched to be helpful in reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes in adults. The hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties in hibiscus tea modulate the blood glucose response by influencing how insulin is secreted by the body.
(21) MAY HELP DEFY EARLY AGING
Zobo drink is among the top age-defying drink you can think of. It has anti-aging properties that slow down your body’s aging process. The presence of vitamin C and anthocyanins in zobo extracts helps keep your skin looking young by avoiding signs of aging such as loss of hydration, suppleness, and wrinkles.
(22) IT HELPS TO MAINTAIN GOOD EYESIGHT
Zobo drink is rich in antioxidants, which can help to protect the eyes from damage caused by free radicals. The flavonoids in zobo drink can also help to reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation to the eyes. Zobo drink is also a good source of vitamin C, which is essential for the production of collagen, a protein that helps to keep the eyes healthy.
(23) ZOBO DRINK TREATS DEPRESSION IN THE EARLY STAGES
Depression is a common mental disorder that affects millions of people around the world. While there are many different treatments available, some people may not be able to access or afford traditional treatments. Fortunately, there are natural alternatives that can be just as effective in treating depression. Zobo drink is a popular beverage in Nigeria that is made from hibiscus flowers. Zobo drink has been shown to be effective in treating depression in the early stages. A study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that hibiscus extract was able to reduce symptoms of depression in rats. While more research is needed to confirm these findings, zobo drink may be a helpful natural treatment for depression. If you are interested in trying zobo drink, you can purchase it online or at many African grocery stores
(24) IT HELPS THE LIVER TO FUNCTION PROPERLY
The liver is a very important organ in the human body. It filters toxins out of the blood and helps to process nutrients. A healthy liver is essential for good health.There are many different ways to keep your liver healthy. One of them is to drink zobo drink. Zobo drink is made from the dried calabash fruit. It is rich in antioxidants and has many other health benefits.A recent study has shown that drinking zobo drink can help to improve liver function. The study found that people who drank zobo daily had better liver function than those who didn’t drink it.Zobo drink can help to protect your liver from damage. It can also help to improve liver function if you already have liver problems. If you have any concerns about your liver health, talk to your doctor.
(25) IT IS GOOD FOR DETOX?
There are many benefits of zobo drink, including its ability to detox the body. Zobo drink is rich in antioxidants and vitamins, which can help to flush out toxins and improve overall health. Additionally, zobo drink contains no artificial sweeteners or preservatives, making it a healthy choice for those looking to detoxify their bodies.
(26) ZOBO DRINK FOR INFECTIONS
Zobo drink is made from hibiscus flowers, which have been shown to have antibacterial and antifungal properties. This makes zobo drink a good choice for treating infections. Hibiscus tea has also been shown to boost the immune system, so drinking zobo regularly may help prevent infections in the first place.
WHO SHOULD NOT DRINK HIBISCUS TEA
No debate, Zobo is a good drink and a healthy one at that, however, everything can not be good for everyone. In that light, it’s healthy and safe for the following category of people to avoid drinking Zobo.
People with low blood pressure • Pregnant women • Women who want to boost their ovulation • People who are slim and aiming to gain weight • People with diarrhea • Women or wives trying to conceive • Breastfeeding mothers.
IS IT SAFE TO CONSUME ZOBO ON A DAILY BASIS
Consuming hibiscus drinks lowered blood pressure among adults at risk of high blood pressure and those with mildly high blood pressure, according to a 2010 study published in the Journal of Nutrition. For six weeks, participants drank three 8-ounce portions of hibiscus drink or a placebo beverage. However, people with low blood pressure should avoid Zobo.