Zobo drink is a nutritious drink found in west Africa, it is extacted from a dried hibiscus sabdariffa leaf. Hibiscus sabdariffa belongs to the plant family of malvaceae.
A study published in the American journal of food technology noted that there are three varieties of hibiscus sabdariffa used in producing zobo drink and each has their own nutritional benefit.
A recent study suggested that hibiscus sabdariffa is an interesting nutria – medicinal plant with multiple pharmacological activities and the extract has the potential to be developed as chemotherapeutic agent. The consumption of zobo drink is common especially in Nigeria. . According to a health.com, zobo derives its name from the hausa name of it’s parent plant ‘zorobodo’. It also have different names in different parts of the world such as sour tea, karkade, red tea, sorrel, rosella, etc. The zobo drink, often served chilled, is not only refreshing but has lots of health benefits. Some ingredients such as ginger, garlic, sweeteners, pinapple juice, are added to the hibiscus sabdariffa leaf extract, depending on the choice. The USDA nutrient database pointed out that zobo has a good supply of minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, zinc and potassium. Zobo drink has also been widely used to treat constipation in some parts of Africa. A study published in the international journals of biomedical science also pointed out that zobo has a rich content of anthocyanin which has special therapeutic properties such as hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory, anticancer and chemo-protective properties. It may also be beneficial for managing elevated blood pressure, common cold and urinary tract infection, due to the presence of anthocyanin. A study led by Chun Tang chui and published in open access, found out that hibiscus sabdariffa leaf extract inhibits prostate cancer cell invasion. Chui and his team of researchers noted that hibiscus sabdariffa leaf has been previously shown to possess hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant effect. . A phytochemical, pharmacological and toxicologic al analysis of plant showed that the consumption of zobo drink resulted in significant decrease in creatinine, uric acid, citrate, tartrate, calcium, sodium, potassium and phosphate in urine and improve kidney fuction. Another study published in the journal of food science found that polyphenols present in hibiscus leaf may inhibit the growth of and destroy melanoma cancer cells without damaging the healthy human cell. Chui and his team of researchers noted that hibiscus sabdariffa leaf has been previously shown to possess hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant effect.
In Iran, drinking sour tea for the treatment of hypertension is a popular practice. A study published in the African journal of biochemistry reported that zobo extract led to increase in blood glutathione (GSH), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), packed cell volume (PVC) and hemoglobin (HB). The study also concluded that hibiscus sabdariffa or zobo protects the blood against 2,4 – DNPH lipperoxidative and hemolytic effects. , which was in line with the findings of Chui and his team of researchers. Hibiscus tea aids reduction of blood pressure and choresterol, preserving the liver, relieving menstrual cramp, hypertension, controls and aids digestion, a study suggested. A research published in the international journal of biomedical sciences actually reported that zobo drink is useful in regaining lost weight. Nigerian journal of nutritional sciences concluded that zobo drink triggers low to moderate rise of blood sugar and such be the prefered choice for diabetic patients. An article published in public health Nigeria pointed that drinking zobo in moderation is generally considered safe, however, excessive intake may produce some side effect such as stomach pain, headache, painful urination, constipation, dizziness and fatigue.
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Sources: www.guardian.ng/zobo drink kills prostate, skin cancer cell
www.suntwist.com.ng/zobo drink.
www.drugs.com/hibiscus uses, benefits and side effects.
www.publichealthnigeria.co.ng/health benefits and side effects of zobo drink.
