The Health Benefits of Zobo Drink & Side Effects

The health benefits of zobo drink for you are numerous.

In fact, the Zobo drink is amongst the most consumed beverages in the whole wide world, ranging from Africa to Asia, America, Europe, etc and it is served in many restaurants and homes.

Even better, there are more health benefits of zobo drink without sugar. In fact, it can be enjoyed in so many ways.

This article does well to highlight the many benefits of drinking zobo and side effects (if any exists at all).

But First…

READ MORE: Top 10 Health Benefits of Bitter Kola

What is Zobo Drink?

The Zobo drink, famously called the Hibiscus tea is one of the most well-known beverage having its origins in Nigeria.

The drink is produced from Hibiscus Sabdariffa leaves [dried Roselle leaves], and it is often used as a medicinal tea.

The English name of Zobo is Hibiscus sabdariffa tea or drink.

In fact, Zobo is a Hausa word is in the Hausa language for the edible plant that is used to make the drink.

It’s unique flavor, quality nutrients and great taste all accounts for the drink’s popularity. Zobo is super rich in nutrients like Calcium, Phosphorous, Vitamin C, Iron, Fat, Riboflavin, Niacin, Carotene, Thiamene, and lots more.

All of these nutrients are what makes the Hibiscus tea an healthy drink with many amazing health benefits.

The zobo drink is low in calories and 100% free from caffeine. It tastes a little sour and can be consumed as cold or hot. To make your Zobo drink taste more delicious, look colourful, and become thicker, you can add secondary ingredients to it, and its quality nature will not be affected.

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Top 10 Health Benefits of Zobo drink and Side Effects

There are many health benefits of drinking zobo, we shall be looking at 10 amazing benefits of drinking zobo in this article.

• Restoration of Appetite

Packed with multipole formidable nutrients including Calcium, Phosphorous, Vitamin C, Iron, Fat, Riboflavin, Niacin, Carotene, Thiamene, and anti-bacterial properties that work in unity to repair your digestive system and restore your lost appetite, the zobo is a great drink that restores lost appetite.

• Deal with High Blood Pressure

Multiple studies conducted reveal that constant intake of Zobo can help reduce high blood pressure particularly in a group of prehypertension and mild hypertension of adults.

This is possible through the enzyme inhibitor present in the Hibiscus leaves. This this inhibitor does is to confine the production of Amylase, an enzyme associated with the decomposition of complex starches and sugar.

As soon as this has been successfully blocked, the blood stream the becomes lower. Plus, the Roselle leaves used in the production of Zobo contains some other anti-hypertensive properties that is also responsible for the regulation of sugar levels in your bloodstream, which it might, in turn, reduce the lower bloodstream as well.

• Treat Constipation Problem

As earlier said, the Zobo drink is loaded with multiple formidable nutrients, and one of such nutrients it is rich in is fibre.

The high level of fibre contained in Zobo makes it an healthy drink for warding off constipation issues as fibre has been scientifically proven to be a great digestive system booster.

So, if you’re experiencing constipation and you are searching for an healthy solution, then consuming Zobo often is your best bet.

It will not only cure your constipation problem but also boost your digestive system as well.

• Solution for Kidney Disease

Regular intake of Organic acids like maleic acid, citric acid, and tartaric acid, etc. are proven to be effective in dealing with kidney disease, and the best part is that Zobo drink contains a great deal of these acids, which makes it a perfect choice for people suffering from Kidney disease.

When you consume Zobo drink, the acids in it will begin to work by improving the functioning of the kidney simply by flushing out uric acid and oxalic, two junks that may cause stone kidney disease.

Having said that, it has been said that the health benefit of zobo drink without sugar is unlocking the full benefits it comes with.

• Boost the Health of Your Liver

The liver is an important organ in our body as it engages in multiple functions, including the regular production of proteins, decomposition of fat, secretion of bile, and lots more.

But, these functions can be prevented if your liver is not working efficiently.

Good news, many studies reveal that Zobo can aid in the promotion of liver health and boost its functioning.

The liver-protecting properties seen in the hibiscus extract aids in the promotion of liver health just by increasing drug-detoxifying enzymes and reducing liver damage and fatty liver.

• Promote Weight Loss

The Zobo drink has shown to lower the absorption of most of the dietary components (glucose and starch) that are often linked with excess weight gain.

When these components become reduced, it will then accelerate the weight loss process.

Additionally, Zobo prevents the production of amylase that is very helpful in absorbing starch and carbohydrate in the body.

This means that drinking Zobo often can aid in lessening the absorption from surfacing any longer.

• Lowers Cholesterol

Hibiscus tea or Zobo can help regulate your cholesterol levels and also improve your blood vessels and heart.

Many studies suggest that regular intake of Zobo can help lower your Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol [the bad kind of cholesterol] and boost your High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol [the good kind of cholesterol]. When your cholesterol levels are well regulated, it will help protect against heart diseases and also protect your blood vessels from damage.

Also, the hypoglycemic and  hypolipidemic properties contained in the Zobo drink is also beneficial to people with blood sugar disorders like diabetes.

• Reduces the risk of Cancer

The Zobo drink hibiscus protocatechuic acid is packed with many antitumor and antioxidant properties.

Multiple studies, including the one conducted by the Department and Institute of Biochemistry in Taiwan and Karina H. Goldberg in Australia, reveal that Zobo drink can help delay the growth of certain cancerous cells by inferring apoptosis, often regarded as programmed cell death in gastric cancer cells.

So, it can be said that drinking zobo reduces the risk of cancer? Drink more Zobo!

• Relieves Menstrual Pain

Another one of the many amazing health benefits of Zobo drink is that it helps boost the female reproductive system.

The Menstruation process comes with multiple intense pains, including cramps. But the good news is that Zobo has been very effective at reducing the pain to a degree.

Plus, it helps restore hormonal balance in the female body so as to reduce the symptoms of , depression, overeating, menstruation, including mood swings, etc.

The link between zobo drink and ovulation has not yet been ascertained completely; however many reports suggest zobo drink helps to deal with menstrual pain.

• Reduce Depressive Symptoms

Zobo is full of minerals and vitamins, including flavonoids, a natural antidepressant property. This I effective in calming the nervous system and creating a sense of relaxation in the body and mind.

This makes it a perfect choice for people with certain mood disorder as it is capable of reducing depression, anxiety, and other related disorders to a significant extent.

• Zobo Drink And Ulcer

Zobo drink has been reported by many to be an effective home remedy for ulcer pain.

• Zobo Drink And Diabetes

Dr Ochuko E., a nutritional biochemist and senior research officer with the Federal Institute of Industrial Research (FIIRO), Lagos recently stated that Zobo drink is good for preventing diabetes.

It also helps in ridding you of colds, reducing cholesterol level, and high blood pressure.

Zobo drink and Pregnancy

Like you, many other have asked: Is zobo drink good for pregnant women? Well, the answer is likely no

A research carried out by Dr. Iyare, E. E. and Iyare, F. E in 2006 was carried out to determine the effect of maternal consumption of aqueous extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa during pregnancy, on pregnancy weight gain and postpartum weight loss. It was concluded from the experiment, that taking an aqueous extract of Hibiscus Sabdariffa during pregnancy reducess pregnancy weight gain and postpartum weight loss.

A close study on the effect of zobo drink when breast feeding also showed that drinking zobo drink during lactation decreased maternal fluid and food intake, and increased postnatal weight gain all of which have adverse effects on their health.

Of course, Zobo is a healthy drink, but nursing mothers and pregnant women should avoid drinking zobo due to its detrimental effects on maternal and child health.

Health Benefits of Zobo Drink and How to Make Yours at Home

There are countless recipes that show you how to make zobo and today, we shall be looking at how to make Zobo drink in your house:

To begin, you will need:

• A large pot
• Fresh or dried Ginger roots
• 1 large pineapple
• Oranges
• A Juicer
• Dried zobo leaves
• Watermelon, apples, cucumbers, and other fruits of your choice

Procedure:

• Place the pot on your stove/cooker.
• Grab the dried zobo leaves and quickly rinse them in a bowl of clean water before putting it in the pot, this is to remove dust and dirt particles on it.
• Pound the fresh or dried ginger roots, as much as you can handle; then you add them to the Zobo leaves in the pot.
• Next, wash and rinse your pineapple fruit before you peel it, then add the bark to the pot where your ginger and zobo leaves are.
• Pour water over this mixture; the water should cover it completely, then put the pot on the fire and allow it cook.
• While it is cooking, quickly juice the oranges and pineapple; you can mix the juices in a bowl.
• Then dice your fruits into small cubes; these include the watermelon, cucumbers and apples with any other fruit you want to be in your drink.
• Some people love to skin their cucumbers but I don’t do that and I don’t encourage that because cucumbers are rich in sulphur which is good for the skin.

It makes your skin elastic and gives it a natural glow because of the collagen it produces. You can take out the seeds because they are healthy; or you can eat them.

• When your zobo leaves have become well cooked; you bring it down from the fire; sieve it and re-boil the leaves, the ginger, and the pineapple bark. After it has boiled, sieve it and you can now throw them away.

• Leave it to cool off; once it is, add the orange juices and pineapple to the zobo drink; you also add the diced fruits and stir well with a wooden stick or long spoon.
• Your healthy zoborodo drink is ready.
• You can put it in containers and store it in the fridge and take it regularly.

Health Benefits of Zobo Drink without adding Sugar

Because you did not add sugar, colorings, and artificial sweeteners, the orange and pineapple juices and other fruits will sweeten it naturally.

Artificial sweeteners are not healthy and can make one gain weight and become obese, cause other health problems like diabetes when taken regularly.

Remember we said that unsweetened Zobo aids weight loss; and besides with these sweet fruit juiced added, it won’t be too sour.

You can also add herbs or fruit juices of your choice. Some people boil lemon grass with their zobo leaves and I bet it tastes great.

The drink you have made is very healthy and medicinal too. The ginger added is a powerful medicinal herb on its own and all the fruits added are storehouses of powerful antioxidants, vital nutrients, and phytochemicals needed for the optimum function of the human body..

Conclusion:

The amazing Zobo drink is healthy with potent nutrients for your body, and it offers great health benefits to your body like regulation of blood pressure and cholesterol levels, Boosting of the Liver Health, Promotion of Weight Loss, treatment of Constipation Problem, Dealing with Kidney Diseases, and many others.

Have you ever drunk Zobo before? Did you enjoy the numerous health benefits of zobo drink and now know how to make it?  If yes, kindly share your experience below.