Zobo drink: Beneficial to health.

 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.

Finding a natural remedy for your stretch marks

 Stretch marks are often noticed  due to over stretching of the tissue of the body as in fat people, pregnant mothers etc.

 Stretch marks are lines developed on the layer of the skin. Anyone can develop stretch marks  although  some studies suggested that it affects women more than men. Some stretch marks are natural and are not associated to any health problem. However some people found it uncomfortable and irritating. The parts of the body that are affected by stretch marks includes, the breast, thigh, stomach. Buttocks. Dr Macrene Alexaides-Armenakas a dermatologist, noted that stretch marks are often associated with the rapid growth spurts (muscle or weight related) and high hormonal levels that occur during pregnancy (about 90% of women will get them sometime after their sixth or seventh month of pregnancy), puberty and bodybuilding. According to medicalnewstoday, they form in the demis or the middle layer of the skin when the connective tissues are stretched beyond the limits  of its elasticity. A study published in ncbi  also pointed out that stretch marks (striae)are indented streaks that often affect the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, back, breast, axillae and groin. The study further stressed that stretch marks  are classified according to the appearance or epidemiology, thus they are classified as 

Striae atrophilians (thinned skin)

Striae gravidarum (following pregnancy)

Striae rubrae(red)

Striae albae (white)

Striae nigra (black)

Striae caerulea (dark blue)

Striae are form of demal scarring associated with stretching of dermis. 

Causes of stretch marks

Genetic factors : Some studies have associated stretch marks with genetic factors

Medical condition  such as Marfan syndrome

Pregnancy Studies have shown that pregnancy stretch marks are common in younger women than older women.  Steretch marks occur during pregnancy as a result of stretched skin and a surge in hormones that weakens the skin fibre.  A study also reported that striae (stretch marks) are more prevalent in smokers than non-smokers.

 According to research, there is no parmanent cure for stretch marks but some home remedies can help minimize the appearance of stretch marks and could help them fade more quickly. 

Remedy for stretch marks

Creams such that containes retinioc acid  a compound related to vitamin A may help to fade away the stretch marks by increasing collagen production. An article in Jama dermatology noted that application of tretinoin (Retinoic acid)i the clinical appearance of early, active stretch marks. The processes that are responsible for the clinical improvement remain unknown.

Sugar is used as a natural exfoliant for skin. Exfoliating the skin encourages the growth of new skin cells, which may help reduce the appearance of the stretch marks. Mixture of sugar and almond oil or virgin coconut oil can help remove the stretch marks. 

Bitter almond oil  One study shows that women who massage into the skin on their bellies during pregnancy had fewer stretch marks than those who just ust oil without massage.

Aloe vera gel can be used to effectively treat all kinds of skin conditions. A research published in pubmed showed that that Aloe vera and sweet almond oil creams are more effective in decreasing itching and erythema and preventing the spread of striae on the surface of abdomen. Stretch marks can also be treated medically using laser therapy, microdermabrasion, microneedling and other form of medical treatment that may help to reduce the severity of the mark.

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Sources: www.ncbi.nim.nih.gov/stretch marks

                 www.webmd.com/what are stretch 

                 marks

                 www.healthline.com/how to get rid of                   your stretch marks 

 

 Stretch marks can appear anywhere on the body, but they are usually more associated with the marks that can appear on the abdomen during pregnancy and after childbirth. According to  Dr. Macrene Alexaides-Armenakas a dermatologist, stretch marks, superficial scars that can develop any time the dermis layer of the skin is torn, are most often associated with the rapid growth spurts (muscle or weight related) and high hormonal levels that occur during pregnancy (about 90% of women will get them sometime after their sixth or seventh month of pregnancy), puberty and bodybuilding. Some stretch marks are natural and are not associated to any health problem. However some people found it irritating.

While there are stretch mark creams and lotions that can help as they can deliver key ingredients that stimulate collagen synthesis and  make scarring less noticeable over time, there natural ways that are believed to to help. Retinol, glycolic acid and with copper peptides are the believed to be the major ingredient. Also



>>>> Lemon juice
Lemon juice is naturally acidic which helps heal and reduce stretch marks, acne, and other scars. It has a mild bleaching effect. Rubbing the fresh lemon juice on your stretch marks for about ten to fifteen minutes before washing it away or try the mixture of cucumber and fresh lemon juice.

>>>>>>> Sugar
Sugar is used as a natural exfoliant for skin. Exfoliating the skin encourages the growth of new skin cells, which may help reduce the appearance of the stretch marks. Mixture of sugar and almond can help remove the stretch marks. Lemon juice can can also be added to the mixture, then rub it gently on the skin surface.


 >>>>>Egg whites
Egg whites contains protein which can help nourish the skin and bring back some of its elasticity. Extract the white part of the egg, then apply gently on the surface and allow to dry off by itself before you wash it away. repeating this several time may be an answer.

>>>> Castor oil
Castor oil is believed to have a healing property which helps in treatment of skin conditions. It smooths the skin and can help fade the stretch marks. Applying it on the skin over a period of time, then washing it off with a warm water can produce the result that is needed.

>>>> Potato juice
Potato juice is rich in minerals and vitamins which can help promote restoration and growth of skin cells. Vitamins are also for healthy skin. Cut the potato into a small size, then rub the sliced part on the surface of the skin with stretch marks. After a few minutes, wash off then repeat for days to produce a result.

>>>>Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera gel can be used to effectively treat all kinds of skin conditions. It has a cooling and moisturizing, effect on the skin and can also help to restore elasticity. Apply the gel of aloe vera on the skin always for a positive result.

6. Olive oil
 Olive oil is known as an anti-oxidant and is rich in some nutrients which can help in treating skin condition effectively. It also has a moisturizing and cleansing effect and it nourishes the skin. It also improves blood circulation. 
 on how to get rid of stretch marks is to use olive oil, as it contains ingredients that  and it’s probably one of the oldest remedies for stretch marks that there is. It also has the ability to help fight the damaging effect of free radicals on the collagen and improve the blood flow to the skin. Simply massage warm olive oil into the skin every day and watch the stretch marks fade.


Sources:http://www.harpersbazaar.com
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