Health Benefits Of Zobo Drink With And Without Sugar

Zobo drinks are made from hibiscus flowers with or without sugar. It is a popular beverage drink in Nigeria and popularly referred to as ‘Zoborodo’ in the Northern part of Nigeria.

Zobo drink

Other Name(s): Ambashthaki, Bissap, Gongura, Groseille de Guinée, Guinea Sorrel, Hibisco, Hibiscus Calyx, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Jamaica Sorrel, Karkade, Karkadé, Oseille de Guinée, Oseille Rouge, Pulicha Keerai, Red Sorrel, Red Tea, Rosa de Jamaica, Roselle, Sour Tea, Sudanese Tea, Thé Rose d'Abyssinie, Thé Rouge, Zobo, Zobo Tea.

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Made from Roselle leaves (Hibiscus), the delicious drink is not only refreshing but without any additional ingredients, those hibiscus flowers used in making zobo are highly nutritious and as such there are many health benefits.

Benefits Of Zobo Drink Without Sugar

Zobo drinks have enormous health benefits to the user. Hibiscus is used for treating loss of appetite, colds, heart and nerve diseases, upper respiratory tract pain and swelling (inflammation), fluid retention, stomach irritation, and disorders of circulation; for dissolving phlegm; as a gentle laxative; and as a diuretic to increase urine output.

In foods and beverages, hibiscus is used as a flavoring. It is also used to improve the odor, flavor, or appearance of tea mixtures.

Some researchers think that other chemicals in hibiscus might be able to lower blood pressure (not enough evidence); decrease spasms in the stomach, intestines, and uterus; and work like antibiotics to kill bacteria and worms. Zobo might decrease blood sugar levels. Still lack enough evidence.

Read Also: Effect of zobo drink on women's monthly period

Benefit Of Zobo Drink With Sugar

Adding sugar to a zobo drink acts as a sweetener agent. The juice is sweet already. The quantity of sugar added is usually small. This does not change the benefits as well as the risk. However, diabetes and hypertensive patients should be wary of the use of zobo drinks as the sugar content may not be all good for them.

Zobo might affect blood sugar levels, making blood sugar control difficult during and after surgery. Zibo drink with sugar may be worse. Stop using hibiscus at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Fighting high cholesterol level with zobo drink with sugar may be a futile attempt. This is because sugar is contraindicated in the management of high cholesterol level.