Benefits of Zobo

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Zobo, an ancient locally prepared drink, has a lot of medicinal properties which can be used to treat ailments such as high blood pressure and kidney diseases

THE Hibiscus drink popularly known as Zobo is a super drink which is slightly thick, colourful, pleasant and tasty. The Hibiscus leaf is used in many parts of the world to make both cold and hot drinks. It contains a high concentration of water-soluble antioxidants and is filled with huge amounts of vitamin C. Zobo, an ancient local drink, which has been consumed in several parts of the world for centuries, is also used to help treat several health problems such as high blood pressure, loss of appetite, liver diseases and fever among others.

Dried hibiscus flower

Zobo drink contains 15 to 30 percent organic acids which include citric acid, maleic acid, and tartaric acid. It also contains acidic polysaccharides and flavonoid glycosides, such as cyanidin and delphinine. The drink is popular as a natural diuretic and is used traditionally as a mild medicine. Dieters and people with kidney problems often take it without adding sugar for its beneficial properties.

A 2008 United States Department of Agriculture, USDA, study said consuming hibiscus tea or zobo drink lowed blood pressure in a group of prehypertensive and mildly hypertensive adults. According to The Journal of Ethnopharmacology, which was published May 2008, hibiscus tea improved the kidney’s ability to filter out waste products which are the uric and oxalic acid, both of which can form kidney stones if they accumulate to excessively high levels.

Also, nutritionists said the Zobo drink could be very effective in the management of hypertension because it has some anti-hypertensive properties, which helps to reduce cholesterol level, hypertension, high blood pressure, diabetes and constipation. It also helps to retain fluid in the body system and has antibacterial properties which help to kill bacteria and worms in the body system. It is caffeine-free and has riboflavin, niacin, carotene, calcium, and iron, which are all nutritionally necessary.

Health experts have advised people on the health benefits of taking natural drinks such as Zobo. “Local drinks, from nutritionist point of view, are natural and I always advise people to go for local beverages than those made with preservatives because it is through the process of fermentation that the local drinks are produced.”

Zobo drink with ice cubes

Zobo drink helps to lower blood pressure as it contains an enzyme inhibitor which blocks the production of amylase. Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down complex sugars and starches. Drinking a cup of hisbicus tea or zobo after meals is said to reduce the absorption of dietary carbohydrates and assist in weight loss. It is rich in Vitamin C and makes a wonderful herbal remedy to fight off colds and infections.

However, although hibiscus seems to be safe for most people, research findings show that it is unsafe to take during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Findings also reveal that the drink has no harmful effect on the liver but when consumed in high doses could be harmful to the kidney.

Ingredients for making Zobo Drink.

-1 cup of dried hybiscus(zobo)leaf.

-water.

-ginger

-garlic.

-sugar/sweetner.

Mine I add Pineapple and Orange.(You can try out apple,straw berries etc.)

Pineapple is also a store house of health benefits due to its wealth of nutrients,Vitamins and Minerals including potassium,copper,manganese,calcium,magnesium,Vit C, beta carotene,thiamin,B6 and folate as well as soluble and insoluble fibre.

Oranges is an excellent source of Vitamin C.Also a very good of dietary fibre.
Please try yours today and see the benefits your going to enjoy. Cheers.

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