Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate, in a group of male cyclists the effects of short-term consumption of aqueous extract of the dried calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa (popularly referred to as zobo in Nigeria) on some hematological and biochemical indices. Mmale clyclists who consumed the placebo (test control group) had significantly reduced hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, packed cell volume (PCV) and red blood cell (RBC) count, while the white blood cell (WBC) was signifi- cantly increased relative to inactive control subjects after one and two months of study. These pa- rameters were restored to a level comparable to controls in the group of cylists who consumed zobo drink (test group) for one and two months. The levels of erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) were significantly elevated in cyclists in the test control group relative sedentary controls after both durations of the study. These parameters were restored toward control values after two months of ingestion of zobo drink. The lactate dehy- drogenase activity in the erythrocyte of the cyclist was significantly high with or without zobo in- gestion relative to control after both durations of the study. In conclusion, the results obtained indi- cate that consumption of zobo drink (which is rich in antioxidants and other components) may be beneficial to athletes as it restored the exercise induced alterations of some hematological and bio- chemical parameters in cyclists under regular training.
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