Understanding the Risks of Zobo During Pregnancy

In Nigeria, zobo is not just a cool drink. It is a common sight on street corners, served at parties, and seen as a healthy option. Many people think of it as a natural tonic for the blood because of its nutrients.

For pregnant women dealing with nausea, heat, and tiredness, a cold cup of zobo can seem tempting. But is it safe to drink while pregnant?

Health experts say there isn't enough scientific proof that drinking zobo regularly is safe for expectant mothers.

Dr Emmanuel Arekhandia, an obstetrician and gynaecologist, spoke with PT Health Watch. He advised pregnant women to be careful. He said there are no large, well-run clinical trials that show it is safe to drink zobo throughout pregnancy.

What is zobo?

Zobo is made from the dried flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa. People usually make it by boiling the petals with ginger, cloves, pineapple, and sugar.

Nutrition experts say the drink has vitamin C, antioxidants, and small amounts of iron. These nutrients are linked to various health benefits.

Some studies with non-pregnant adults have connected hibiscus to slight drops in blood pressure and better metabolic markers.

But Dr Arekhandia pointed out that these results cannot just be applied to pregnant women. The changes that happen during pregnancy need more solid proof about safety.

What does the evidence say?

A few studies have looked into using hibiscus to manage issues like anemia during pregnancy. But Dr Arekhandia said these studies were too small to tell if drinking zobo is safe for moms or their babies.

"So, the current evidence is not enough to prove it is safe for regular use during pregnancy," he stated.

He mentioned that most worries come from lab and animal studies, not human research. Some animal studies suggest that concentrated hibiscus can cause uterine contractions. Others have shown that high doses might lead to lower birth weight and changes in reproductive hormones in babies.

However, these results have not been proven in humans, and the amounts used in animal studies are often much higher than what people drink in normal zobo.

Possible risks

Another worry is how hibiscus might interact with some medications.

Dr Arekhandia said hibiscus can affect drugs like chloroquine, paracetamol, and blood pressure medications. But it is still unclear what this means for pregnant women.

Zobo is also known to lower blood pressure. While this might help in some cases, drinking too much while pregnant could lead to dizziness, fainting, or low blood pressure, especially for women with normal or low blood pressure.

Women on medication for high blood pressure should be extra careful, as hibiscus might increase the effects of those drugs.

Is any amount considered safe?

Dr Arekhandia said there is no proof that having zobo occasionally is linked to miscarriage or other pregnancy issues.

However, he emphasized that just because there is no evidence does not mean the drink is safe.

He advised pregnant women who want to drink zobo to keep it to small amounts and only occasionally. Until there is stronger proof, he recommended against daily drinking, having several glasses of hibiscus water daily, or using concentrated homemade preparations, extracts, powders, or supplements with hibiscus.

What if you have already taken zobo?

For those who have already had zobo while pregnant, Dr Arekhandia said there is no proof that occasional drinking will cause harm.

He advised them to stop regular intake, keep up with routine antenatal care, and seek medical help if they notice symptoms like vaginal bleeding, ongoing abdominal pain, or less fetal movement.

Until more solid human studies give clearer answers, experts agree that moderation and caution are the best choices for pregnant women thinking about zobo.