Is it ideal for pregnant women to drink zobo?

Few days ago, a celebrity Nigerian chef, Tolani also known as ‘Diary of a kitchen lover’, recounted how she developed severe cramps after taking zobo drink.

Her cramps was so severe such that she was hospitalized for two days. She later got to know that the cramps was as a result of the zobo drank.

This has raised a question as to whether zobo is ideal for pregnant women? There are mixed opinions on whether pregnant women should drink zobo.

Reports have it that pregnant women who consume Hibiscus sabdariffa tea, popularly known as Zobo, don’t stand the risk of having a miscarriage or premature labor.

Claims that the drink can put the fetus at risk of congenital birth defects and increase the chances of having babies with low birth weight have also been faulted.

However, other studies have shown that drinking Zobo during pregnancy or lactation can lead to low birth weight babies (LBW), reduce the amount of breast milk a woman produces, and increase the risk of miscarriage or premature labour.

Zobo drinks have many health benefits, such as treating nausea and fatigue, reducing high blood pressure, and providing antioxidants. However, pregnant women should exercise caution when consuming it and avoid it due to the potential risks it poses to their unborn babies as a result of its acidity.

Therefore, it is recommended that pregnant women should avoid drinking zobo to ensure the safety of their unborn child.