Rooibos tea is an herbal drink which has surged in popularity. The tea is recognised for its striking red colour and a flavour which is both nutty and fruity. Not only is it delicious, but the health benefits of rooibos are remarkable which include reducing stress, fighting cancer, reducing risk of cardiovascular diseases and weight management which all help to boost life expectancy.
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What is rooibos tea?
Medical News Today said: “Rooibos tea is a red herbal tea that comes from the fermented leaves of the Aspalathus linearis shrub, a plant native to South Africa.
“Many people enjoy it as an alternative to green or black tea.
“Unfermented green rooibos tea is also available.
“Rooibos tea has a sweet, delicate, and earthy flavour and contains several antioxidants, which may help explain some of the tea’s health benefits.”
For regular tea drinkers, caffeine is often part of the deal.
However, high levels of caffeine in the body can cause sleep problems as well as heart palpitations.
Fortunately, rooibos is a caffeine-free alternative and a great source of antioxidants.
In fact, rooibos contains 50 percent more antioxidants than those found in green tea.
The most notable antioxidants found in rooibos tea include polyphenols, flavanols and flavonoids which all work to protect the body from free radicals.
What the study said
In a study with the National Library of Medicine, the effects of Rooibos tea on oxidative stress and biochemical parameters in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease was investigated.
The study noted: “In a period of two weeks, 40 volunteers consumed six cups of fermented/traditional rooibos tea daily for six weeks.
“Blood biochemical parameters indicative of antioxidant activity and content, lipid peroxidation, lipid profile, LDL and high-density lipoprotein and liver and kidney function were measured at the end of each study period.”
At the end of the study it was noted that plasma total polyphenol levels increased significantly after rooibos consumption compared with the control levels with significant decreases in plasma markers of lipid peroxidation after rooibos consumption.
The study concluded: “Confirming its popular use, consumption of fermented, traditional rooibos tea significantly improved the lipid profile as well as redox status, both relevant to heart disease, in adults at risk for developing cardiovascular disease.
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Rooibos is associated with many health benefits due to its high levels of health-promoting antioxidants, which include aspalathin and quercetin.
Antioxidants may help protect cells from damage by free radicals.
Over the long term, their effects may reduce a person’s risk of illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer.
Other benefits of consuming rooibos tea include healthy management of type 2 diabetes and weight control.
Medical News Today added: “Rooibos tea is calorie-free, so it may be a good beverage option for those who are trying to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight.
“According to the results of a study, rooibos tea may also benefit weight management by increasing levels of leptin.
“Leptin is a hormone that helps regulate food intake and sends signals to the body that it has had enough food.
“The tea also stopped the formation of new fat cells and encouraged quicker fat metabolism.”
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