Features - Be kind to your kidneys with Simply Hibi

Simply Hibi, the UK’s leading hibiscus drink, can provide a welcome relief for the two million cystitis and bladder infection sufferers in the UK according to recent research. Its makers, Ibis Organics are urging sufferers to try the Flower Power juice to see the effects for themselves.

The study, conducted by Ibis Organics in association with the Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation (COB) has found the natural drink to be an alternative solution to the painful symptoms of cystitis and Urinary Tract, bladder and kidney Infections.

Almost 50 per cent of participants in the study felt regular consumption of Simply Hibi, a hibiscus based health drink which is extremely high in anthocyanins, was more effective than cranberry.

Ibis Organics, makers of Simply Hibi approached the leading research charity in its field, The Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation (COB) to conduct a trial via its members about the effects of the hibiscus based juice on the symptoms of cystitis in comparison to those of cranberry juice.

Of those who took part in the trial, 63 per cent have suffered for more than 10 years and more than three quarters (81 per cent) said they preferred natural, rather than drug based, remedies.

Simply Hibi was found to be more effective by 59 per cent of participants in the trial. More than three quarters (77 per cent) said that they would use it again with 86 per cent recommending it to a friend. Almost half (42 per cent) acknowledged they had regularly used cranberry juice to allay the symptoms of cystitis previously but of those, only 27 per cent have found it to be effective.

Cystitis, an infection of the bladder, currently affects over two million women in the UK every year with typical symptoms including pain on passing water and lower abdominal tenderness. In extreme cases this can mean passing blood and a general feeling of unwell with fever and sickness.

An important part of treating cystitis is to drink plenty of water to flush out the urinary tract. To alleviate the problem and relieve the painful symptoms of Cystitis and UTI many experts and GPs advise sufferers to incorporate cranberry and other foodstuffs with a high-antioxidant level into their diet. Cranberry and Hibiscus are excellent natural treatments due to the bacteriostatic effect of the high levels of anthocyanins contained in the drinks; it is this that inhibits the growth of the bacteria.

Each member of COB who agreed to take part in the trial was provided with a month’s supply of Simply Hibi which they were asked to use as a substitute for cranberry juice during this period to test the effects. These results were then reported back via a detailed survey.
Will Irving, owner of Ibis Organics and the Simply Hibi drink, said: “A diet including Simply Hibi, with high-anthocyanins, will offer an important alternative to drug-based relief for cystitis sufferers and, with natural remedies increasingly preferred, these findings are excellent news.”

“For centuries hibiscus has been commonly associated with boosting the urinary tract and our results now prove that Simply Hibi is more effective than cranberry and a positive addition to healthy diets. March 12th is World Kidney Day and we hope that this will encourage people who suffer from cystitis and other bladder and kidney related infections to try it for themselves as we are confident that it will help to alleviate their symptoms.”

Dawn Baty, from COB, commented: “Ibis Organics’ research has identified an alternative relief to the painful symptoms of cystitis. We have directly received extremely positive feedback from a number of members who participated in the trial which is great to see as there are very few successful natural treatments for the discomfort and pain of cystitis. We do always advise anyone suffering from bacterial cystitis to seek medical advice from their doctor.”

Simply Hibi is composed of 85 per cent of hibiscus infused water and 15 per cent fruit extract. It is 100% natural and has no added sugar, is completely free from artificial colourings and preservatives and has an intense rich flavour brimming with the taste of berries and with 17 times more anti-oxidants than other juice drinks on the market and is packed with health benefits.

The Cystitis and Overactive Bladder Foundation (COB) is a leading UK charity supporting research into all forms of cystitis and overactive bladder. The foundation provides resources for patients and health professionals.

To discover more about the drink, visit www.simplyhibi.co.uk
For further information on bladder conditions visit COB Foundation www.cobfoundation.org or Tel: 0121 4761222

What is Cystitis?
The two kidneys are situated in the back of the abdomen. They remove excess waste products and water from blood to make urine. The urine then moves down through the urethra on each side, into the bladder. Urine is passed by the bladder contracting, forcing urine out through the urethra. The structures, through which the urine passes, from its formation to its excretion, are called the urinary tract. Infections of the urinary tract can affect just the bladder (cystitis). Infections of the kidney(s) cause back and loin pain as well. However, one or both kidneys may become infected (pyelonephritis). The symptoms of cystitis are pain or burning on passing urine, and having to pass urine more often (frequency). There may be some blood in the urine. Fever usually only occurs with pyelonephritis, rather than cystitis.

Page created: 17th March 2009