Maternal consumption of aqueous extract of hibiscus sabdariffa during pregnancy attenuates pregnancy weight gain and postpartum weight loss

Abstract

The effect of maternal consumption of aqueous extract of Hibiscus
Sabdariffa during pregnancy on pregnancy weight gain and postpartum
weight loss was investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats. Fifteen in-bred
pregnant female Spague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to groups
A, B and C on day one of pregnancy. Group C rats had tap water while
groups A and B rats had 0.6g HS extract and 1.8g HS extract
respectively in 100ml tap water to drink throughout pregnancy and
through 34 days postpartum. All the rats in all the groups were fed
normal rat chow ad libitum. Dam weights were measured daily
throughout pregnancy and at delivery, 10, 14, 20 and 34 days
postpartum. Results of the present study show a significant
concentration dependent decrease in both pregnancy weight gain and
postpartum weight loss at the doses tested.
(Afr. J. Biomed. Res. 10: 257 – 261)

Key words : - Hibiscus Sabdariffa, Pregnancy weight gain, Postpartum weight loss, Food and Fluid intake.