In our previous post, we explained in detail how to make zobo drink but due to popular demand from our amazing readers and visitors, we had to shed more light on the Health benefits of zobo drink.
Did you know I never thought about it; that zobo drink could have some health benefits? On the other hand, side effects of zobo drink whisper gently in my mind.
So, I’m updating this post not just with the nutritional value of zobo but with possible side effects of zobo drink.
I call zobo drink a liquid snack and as we all know that snacks are quickly made in few minutes, zobo drink can thus be a quickie to serve guests aside from the natural water we serve.
What Is Zobo Drink Recipe?
Zobo is sweetened water extracted drink is made from the dried calyx of edible Hibiscus sabdariffa, not the one for flower vases.

Zobo drink also known as Roselle drink or called Sorrel drink by the Caribbean which is made from Roselle plants. Zobo drink doesn’t contain alcoholic contents.
It is also one of the popularly consumed beverages in Nigeria especially if it’s served chilled with delicious meals, you know what I mean.
15 Amazing Health Benefits of Zobo Drink and How to Make Yours At Home
You can bet that after the hustling and bustling under our scorchy sun as unlazy Nigerians and a good Samaritan serves you a glass of chilled zobo drink, with ice cubes added to it, oh my; that message it sends to the brain cannot be fully emphasized.

I’m sure that after reading the health benefits of zobo drink, you’ll want to give it a try either making it yourself at home, or you order from us because I need to make some cool cash *winks*.
Let’s run a quickie on the ingredients.
The zobo leaves can be complemented with garlic, pineapple, ginger, lime, lemon, orange, strawberry; whichever combinations suites you and natural ingredient H2O water.
Zobo isn’t as thick as kunu, another Nigerian local drink, and the ingredients have a say in this.
Also Read: Can one sue a doctor for wrong prescription
Essentials of Roselle plants (Zobo leaves)
As it turns out, Hibiscus flower is extremely healthy and has a ludicrous amount of vitamins and minerals, ranging from vitamins for your nervous system to immune system boosters and natural fats.
Here are some essential nutrients zobo leaves gives:
- Vitamins A and C combined together to strengthen the immune system to fight against diseases especially for our aging parents to retain their lung strength.
- Vitamin B2 for a healthy nervous system and helps in the effective function of the cardiovascular.
- Vitamin B3 maintaining brain function and healthy skin, protein, iron, calcium for strong bones and teeth and to prevent bone related diseases.
- With Sodium, natural fats, potassium, and phosphorus among others you can be sure to regain loss appetite due to the anti-bacterial properties found in Zobo drink.
Having known these let’s take a quick one on the more amazing health benefits of zobo drink.
Zobo Drink and Fertility
The amazing health benefits of zobo drink in connection to fertility is that it helps in sperm quality.
It’s popularly assumed that only women experience infertility but the truth is men also are prone to this.
One great health benefits of zobo for men is how it boosts sperm quality. A regular intake of Zobo drink complimented with ginger can aid in the ability of the man to be able to make her conceive.
Zobo Drink and Diabetes
Diabetes is a critical health condition and it could be that a person has high blood glucose (i.e blood sugar) either because there is inadequate production of insulin or maybe the person’s body cells do not respond properly to insulin or both situations.
Chai diabetes isn’t a good one at all. According to research, it was said that diabetes is a long-term condition that causes high sugar level.
Because of the sour taste of zobo drink, there’s a need to add sugar but this is optional though, but the question is what quantity? And also, is it safe for a diabetic patient?
I’m not in the medical line but with my findings, it all depends on what type of diabetes and also it should be proportioned.
Some said it may be hereditary or self-caused; so for those who can consume sugar like tomorrow, no dey continue o.
The health benefits of zobo drink and zobo leaves makes it safe for a diabetic patient. Its leaves wouldn’t put a diabetic patient at risk, but sitting too much is.
Zobo Drink and Weight Loss
There hadn’t been concrete evidence as regards zobo drink and weight loss, but remember that these Zobo leaves can be prepared with some complements isn’t?
These complement if not proportionally added can cause the reverse of weight loss which is weight gain, so one need to be discreet about this.
We all know that in this part of our country there’s a high intake of foods rich in carbohydrate which would result in enormous weight gain whereby gym becomes a place to visit.
There’s a production of amylase – an enzyme produced by the body to break down complex starches and sugar, therefore the high fiber in Zobo leaves (Roselle) can aid digestion which can inhibit the production of amylase.
Including this nutritious drink on your menu can prevent too much consumption of sugar or carbohydrate. You should check out our Nigerian balanced diet schedule as it has the right proportion of drinks combination with food.
Zobo Drink and Ulcer
Stomach ulcer or peptic ulcer has a loss of appetite as one of its symptoms and I said earlier on that due to the nutrients contained in Roselle leaf, zobo drink can rekindle that lost appetite to be gained.
But the question is, is zobo drink safe for drinking as an ulcer patient? Remember it’s also caffeinated and that can affect someone suffering from ulcer as it can irritate such one.
Benefits of Zobo drink In Pregnancy
I must state here that there are pros and cons. Consuming zobo drink if you wish to be pregnant can influence increased bloodstream and thus results in a menstrual cycle.
That is indirectly consuming zobo drink as a contraceptive for abortion (that’s in this context) and I’m sure you don’t want that right?
It’s not safe for a pregnant woman as it would affect the unborn baby or babies depending on which you would be having.
There would be low body weight as a result of regular intake of Zobo drink so prevention is better at least it’s just for 9 months na.
The good news is; if it’s taken in moderation the benefit of zobo drink for pregnancy is the contained antioxidant in it to prevent both mum and baby from harmful germs in the environs. But don’t drink during the first trimester, please.
Zobo Drink and Breastfeeding

There are many health advantages of breastfeeding but while breastfeeding a female child, it’s not safe to consume zobo drink.
The effect would tell on the female child whereby it onset puberty is delayed and the mother would also gain excess weight at postnatal.
What about if it a male child? Well, Roselle leave is rich in caffeine which could result in overactive and restlessness of the child.
Zobo Drink and Menstruation
For our gorgeous women, you know our cycle is inevitable until we pass menopause, some of us who might be experiencing abnormality during menstruation especially bleeding; consuming a glass of this beverage would relieve you of the pain.
The health benefits of zobo drink found in the dried extracted edible calyx of hibiscus sabdariffa are highly enriched in vitamin C and Iron which can aid the release of the delayed menstrual cycle in women. It also stimulates the woman’s menstrual cycle.
Does Zobo Drink Give Blood?
Yes, it does as it increases the packed cell volume in the body. this can be seen as it stimulates the blood stream.
If you’re low on blood kindly subscribe to a regular intake of zobo drink you can please not add sugar or probably add to taste but I’d suggest you do a combination of the compliments discussed above.
Side Effects of Zobo
Could it be possible that taking Zobo drink will have some sort of side effect?
There’s are side effects to hibiscus, the major ingredient of the zobo drink and this may result in some side effects such as:
- It reduces the number of estrogen in the body. So women who have issues with menstrual cycle should avoid taking zobo drink at all times. It reduces the process of estrogen production.
- Blood Pressure Issues: Individuals with low blood pressure should stay away from zobo drink as it will even make it lower.
- It can expand blood vessels and lead to possible heart problems.
- It might cause hallucinogenic signs. The dry Hibiscus flowers used for making Zobo drink also include a slight amount of hallucinogenic properties. Such drinks shouldn’t be taken regularly, and some professions should absolutely avoid them.
Last Notes on Health Benefits of Zobo Drink
There you have my list on health benefits of zobo drink. Of course there more benefits which include:
- Zobo leaves help treat dandruff
- Zobo drink serves as laxative and tonic
- Zobo drink is good for strong bones and teeth
- Hibiscus tea helps fight depression and treats constipation.
I hope you found these amazing health benefits of zobo drink informative and helpful. Please use the comment box below, we’d love to hear from you.
Is it good for a woman trying to conceive
I am trying for two days now but I’m having headache. Can I combine it with garlic, ginger, turmeric, pineapple leaves, lemon grass and moringa leaves and the seeds? Does it also work for arthritis and rheumatism? However, I enjoy the one I have started taking mixed with ginger, garlic and turmeric. Thanks.
One thing about the Zobo drink is it’s use as a base when I mean base is you can tweak it to what you want it to be.
Yes, you can combine those stuffs. But don’t forget that garlic, ginger, turmeric, etc. are herbs one should be taking in quantities because these things are like medicine. You don’t want to overshadow your drink with them. as it will tell on taste as well.
Pineapple, oranges, etc adds a fruity taste, but you’ll have to test it yourself. Having a variant of zobo drink with some of the items you mentioned is one place to start. But putting ALL, will be somehow kinda. For arthritis, more research will have to be done on it. Thanks for your comment, I hope this reply helps
Thanks for sharing. I never know that zobo drink is not good for ulcer patient.
Nice piece
Please check there is evidence that it lowers your blood sugar if you use it without additives
It’s a good one.
Thanks for sharing this , God bless
Comment:thanks for this knowledge
Interesting
Thanks
Thumbs up
Thank u, I learnt alot from ur write up
so amazing, thanks for this wonderful lecture .
Thanks so much, av learnt alot
very well written. Thank you for the information
Thanks for the comment Fililipa, it means a lot. We hope to present more useful contents.
I could not refrain from commenting. Exceptionally well
written!
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