15 Health Benefits of Zobo Drink from Hibiscus Leaves

Some of you maybe still unfamiliar with a drink called Zobo drink, but this drink can be found easily in many international restaurants or Nigerian restaurants. When you experience the drink for the first time, you will be impressed by the fresh and delicious taste this beverage provided.

However, this drink that comes directly from West Africa is not only cherished due to the tasty flavor, but also the health benefits which you can gain after consuming it.

The nutrition contained in Zobo drink can even be used to prevent and cure certain diseases and illnesses. Before we share all of the healthy benefits of Zobo drink, you should understand more about the drink below.

About Zobo Drink’s Origin and Naming

The name originally came from Nigeria, West Africa, however, since this traditional drink started gaining popularity all over the world and consumed in many places, now the drink is being called by various names.

For example, it has been named “Sorrel” by Caribbean people, “Karkade” by Sudanese people, and “Aguas Frescas” by Mexican people. However, in general, “Zobo drink” is the common name for this popular traditional drink from Nigeria.

The major producer of this drink is Yoruba, since people there have made it into other dishes and drinks such as tea, soup, and even jams.

Zobo drink is made using the dried leaves of Hibiscus Sabdariffa (also known as Roselle), which is endemic to West Africa. The dried leaves are the main source of nutrients in Zobo drink, but you can also add any extra ingredients to suit your taste and purpose.

If you add a nice selection of secondary ingredients, it will still taste pleasant, delicious, colorful, and thick. Roselle leaves have a unique taste, so their flavor will probably remain strong no matter what additional ingredients you mix into your batch of Zobo drink.

Zobo Drink Nutritional Values

It is also important to understand the nutritional values contained in dried Roselle leaves. Some of these nutrients include:

• Vitamin C
• Calcium
• Iron
• Phosphorous
• Niacin
• Riboflavin
• Fiber
• Fat
• Thiamine
• Carotene, etc.

All of these nutrients contribute to the excellent health advantages of Zobo drink, which can aid in boosting your body’s immune system and metabolism.

Zobo drink also contains anti-bacterial properties, water soluble antioxidants, anti-hypertensive properties, and many more healthy properties.

The nutrition provided by Zobo drink works effectively towards preventing certain diseases or illnesses.

15 Health Benefits of Zobo Drink

You can make Zobo drink at home by searching for some recipes. You can try to mix in other ingredients like pineapple, garlic, or ginger. Those three ingredients are generally used in Zobo drink.

In addition, you can also try to combine the drink with lime, honey, lemon, orange, strawberry, etc. For an instant drink, you can purchase powdered Zobo products.

You just need to mix it with cold or hot water, and you can enjoy your quality time while relaxing with Zobo drink.

Below are several health benefits which you can get when you consume these wonderful leaves.

1. Help to Restore Appetite

Zobo drink contains numerous minerals and vitamins like calcium, carotene, iron, free-caffeine, fiber, and so on.

Loss of appetite is sometimes related with your digestive system. When your digestion works well, you will probably have a healthy appetite.

The nutrients contained in the drink can help you to regain your appetite while overcoming any worms and bacteria in your digestive system, thanks to the existence of anti-bacterial properties.

2. Deal with High Blood Pressure

A study conducted by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) in 2008 proved that consuming Zobo drink can help to lower high blood pressure, particularly in a group of pre-hypertension and mild hypertension adults.

The enzyme inhibitor contained in the Hibiscus leaves can be used to lower blood pressure by blocking amylase production. Amylase is an enzyme that can break down complex sugar and starches.

This enzyme and the anti-hypertensive properties automatically work together to manage sugar levels in your blood. This is one amazing health benefit of Zobo drink.

3. Treat Constipation

Just like we already mentioned above, Zobo drink’s nutritional values include a high level of fiber. Healthy digestion is always linked to fiber content, and if you have a constipation problem it is a tell-tale sign that your digestive system is unhealthy.

To treat such an issue, you need to get enough fiber each day. Drinking Zobo drink can help you to increase your fiber intake and promote a healthy digestion process.

4. Support and Control Weight Loss

If an individual consumes too much sugar and starch, then they certainly will gain weight. Zobo drink is not only low in sugar but also fats.

A person who drinks tea from Roselle leaves regularly can prevent the absorption of excess sugar and carbohydrates.

This drink is highly recommended to anyone wanting to lose some weight, as it effectively boosts the burning of fat in your body.

5. Okay for People Who have Diabetes

People who suffer from diabetes are still allowed to consume Zobo drink without any reservations. They have the option to not put sugar in the Zobo drink.

This delicious drink is even recommended for those who suffer from liver and kidney problems, as you can see in the explanation below.

6. Dealing with Kidney Disease

People who suffer from kidney disease are recommended to drink Zobo drink frequently, since it provides 15-30% of organic acids such as tartaric acid, citric acid, and maleic acid.

These acids can help to improve the kidney’s ability to filter out oxalic and uric acid, two wastes which can lead to kidney stones.

However, in order to ensure that the natural properties of the Roselle leaves perform at their best, it’s better to not add any extra sugar into the drink. You can expect improved kidney function after consuming this drink.

7. Prevent Disease

Consuming this healthy drink can help to prevent certain diseases, because it is rich in anti-oxidant properties which fight against the effects of free radicals.

In addition, drinking beverages rich in antioxidants helps to enhance the immune system. Hence, the body will effectively fight against any diseases. This is another health benefit of Zobo drink.

8. Treats Cough and Cold

Zobo drink contains ascorbic acid, which is a form of vitamin C that is essential to the body’s immune system. Along with that, the drink provides anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.

Thus, the hibiscus drink tends to be made into supplements which can help to treat coughs and colds.

Additionally, it has cooling effects that help to reduce the discomfort of fever, which may accompany such illnesses.

9. Enhance Immune System

Because Zobo drink contains vitamin C, an important substance to help fight against certain diseases, it helps to enhance immune system. For adults, the recommended daily intake of vitamin C is about 65 to 90 milligrams (mg).

You can start to consume Zobo regularly to get a small amount of your recommended vitamin C intake.

10. Calcium

This Nigerian drink also provides calcium, which is a mineral that can help to make your bones stronger. Calcium is known to have many benefits, including preventing osteoporosis.

In addition, your body needs calcium in order for the muscles and heart to work and function properly. Calcium also works to enhance teeth strength and prevent any diseases that are related to your bones.

11. Helps to Deal with Anemia

The nutritional values of Zobo leaves show that the drink contains enough iron to improve the production of red blood cells. Those who suffer from anemia can start to consume this drink in order to help enhance hemoglobin production.

This will reduce the symptoms of anemia, such as tiredness and weakness. Thanks to its iron content, Roselle leaves work well to combat anemia.

12. It Contains Vitamin B3 to Support Body Function

Zobo drink contains vitamin B3, or niacin, which provides you with many healthy benefits including boosted brain function, healthy skin. It also helps to treat diabetes and lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Vitamin B3 is an important vitamin since it can help to maintain a healthy heart system and body metabolism.

13. Good to Maintain Healthy Eyes

Carotene converts into vitamin A, or retinol, which is useful to keep our eyes healthy and even enhance our vision.

The combination of vitamin C and vitamin A will strengthen our immune system to fight against many diseases, and can help to maintain healthy mucus membranes.

It also might help older people to retain their lung strength when they start aging.

14. Boosting Your Energy

Zobo drink contains a water soluble vitamin in the form of riboflavin that provides many health benefits. Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, has numerous benefits, but its most important role is the production of energy.

Meanwhile, B2 has the power to protect the nervous system and boost mineral absorption in our body.

15. Maintains A Healthy Nervous System

The vitamin B1, or thiamine, contained in Zobo drink helps to maintain a healthy nervous system. Along with vitamin B2, it also helps to improve cardiovascular function.

Thiamine is a water soluble vitamin which is useful to break down protein and fats. It promotes a healthy nervous system, hair, eyes, liver, and mouth.

Those are 15 health benefits of Zobo drink, which you can experience directly by consuming this wonderful and amazing traditional hibiscus plant from Nigeria.