Whether you’re trying to reduce your caffeine intake or simply looking for a full-bodied herbal tea, rooibos may be the perfect solution. Unlike many herbal teas, it has richness similar to black tea, and it isn’t acidic tasting like many herbal, fruity teas. If you’re just starting your journey into the wonderful world of tea and herbs, this post may be of some interest to you.

Rooibos isn’t just a pleasant-tasting herbal tea; it has tons of fantastic health benefits. It’s one of the reasons why we love it so much! Thrive Remedies uses rooibos tea as a base in the stress, recovery, detox and calm blends. We’ve researched the health benefits of rooibos tea for you and broken them down below.

What is Rooibos Tea?

Rooibos tea, pronounced roy-bows, Afrikaans for “red bush, comes from South Africa, where it has been used for centuries because of its healing benefits. Rooibos can be found in two forms, fermented and non-fermented. Typically the one you will find in stores is the fermented red rooibos. It is already commonly used in the food and beverage industry, and now cosmetic companies are adding rooibos to their product. Rooibos tea has a nutty, subtly sweet and light earthy flavour. It can be brewed similar to black tea or coffee and served on its own or with milk and sweetener. Rooibos tea is caffeine-free and loaded with tons of evidence-based health benefits.

1. Contains a High Amount of Antioxidants

Free radicals are molecules that can damage cells in the body, leading to many health concerns. Antioxidants can attach to free radicals before they have a chance to cause harm to your body. The types of antioxidants found in rooibos may help treat and prevent liver disease, heart disease, obesity, high cholesterol and more.

2. Reduced Stress

Rooibos tea is a natural way to reduce stress. It has the ability to lower the production of cortisol. Cortisol is known as the “stress hormone” because it is released during stress-triggered events by the adrenal glands. Cortisol is needed to help the body function normally, but over time, high cortisol levels can have a negative effect leading to anxiety and depression.

3. Caffeine Free

While some caffeine can be beneficial in your diet, too much caffeine can lead to anxiety, disrupted sleep, upset stomach and other health issues. Rooibos tea is an excellent alternative to coffee or some teas if you are watching your caffeine intake.

4. Clear and Bright Skin

Rooibos tea contains the minerals zinc and alpha-hydroxy, which are both beneficial to your skin. Alpha hydroxy is useful for improving the overall texture and appearance. While zinc has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It can help with some skin issues such as acne, UV damage and cuts or wounds. Rooibos can also have anti-ageing effects, specifically on wrinkles when used topically. Skincare products are using it as an additive already, but further studies are needed to show how consuming rooibos tea can affect the ageing process.

5. Aid in Weight loss

Rooibos tea is calorie-free, making it a good option for people looking for healthier, low-calorie drinks. It can also aid in weight loss by decreasing the hormone leptin in the bloodstream after consuming. Leptin is a hormone released from fat cells that controls body fat and obesity. The hormone helps us maintain our weight, but if you’re dieting it makes it hard to lose weight. Obesity is related to too much leptin in the bloodstream.

6. Supports Heart Health

Rooibos is good for overall heart health for several reasons. It can help lower blood pressure in some people with hypertension (constantly high blood pressure). Over time, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and arteries, which can lead to heart attack, stroke, and heart disease. Rooibos can improve cholesterol levels in adults that are at risk of developing heart disease. It can help reduce LDL “bad” cholesterol levels while increasing HDL “good” cholesterol levels. Too much of the “bad” cholesterol in your blood can cause blocked arteries leading to health concerns. The “good” cholesterol helps carry the “bad” cholesterol back to the liver where it’s removed from the body as waste.

7. Possible Anticancer Source

Rooibos tea can help your immune system produce antibodies that may help fight disease and infection such as cancer, AIDS, allergies, etc. It also contains several antioxidants, some of which have been proven useful in cancer prevention and treatment. Rooibos may help reduce tumour growth and prevent cancer cell growth with certain types of cancer; further human studies are needed.

8. Anti-inflammatory

The health benefits of rooibos tea include relief from inflammation. Inflammation contributes to a number of more severe health concerns such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes and cancer when not treated. Rooibos is useful as an anti-inflammatory and may prevent illnesses associated with long term exposure.

9. Provides Allergy Relief

Rooibos may be able to help reduce or relieve seasonal allergy symptoms due to its antioxidant properties. The antioxidant quercetin, which is in rooibos, is considered a natural antihistamine because it balances mast cell function. Mast cells are a type of white blood cell that is part of the immune system. They react, releasing the chemical histamine when we are exposed to allergens such as pollen, cotton, or grass.

10. Good for Your Bones

Consuming tea has been associated with higher bone mineral density, meaning it helps keep our bones strong and healthy. A low mineral density can cause weak bones, which can result in fractures, breaks or osteoporosis. Rooibos also contains small amounts of minerals and vitamins that are important for bone health.

11. Helps Relieve Digestive Issues

Rooibos may be useful in treating discomfort in the digestive system. The antioxidants in rooibos are known for their antispasmodic activity, which means that they help prevent muscle spasms, specifically within the bowel walls. Spasms in the bowel can cause bloating, diarrhoea, cramps, gas and other issues.

12. May Help Prevent Diabetes

Rooibos may help prevent type two diabetes in people who are at risk of developing it or help stop the disease from worsening in people who have it. Rooibos is the only natural source of the antioxidant Aspalathin. Aspalathin has a hypoglycemic effect meaning it can help balance blood sugar levels which can cause concerns for people living with diabetes.

*** Disclaimer: The content on this website (Thrive Remedies) is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended or suitable in place of advice from your health care practitioner or licensed physician. The information and products on this website should not be used for diagnosing, treating, curing or preventing a health problem, you should always consult a health care provider or licensed physician for advice. ***

References:

1. What is Rooibos
2. Rooibos Fact Sheet
3. Antioxidants in Rooibos Tea
4. Rooibos for Stress
5. Antioxidants for Anxiety and Depression
6. Rooibos Effects on Cortisol Production
7. What are Anxiety Disorders
8. Effects of Caffeine on Human Behaviour
9. Is Coffee a Colonic Stimulant
10. Rooibos for Wrinkles
11. Rooibos Anti-aging Potential
12. Rooibos and Weight Loss
13. Study on Rooibos Flavanoids and Obesity
14. Rooibos and Cardiovascular Disease
15. Tea and Heart Health
16. Study on Rooibos and Heart Health
17. LDL Cholesterol and HDL Cholesterol
18. Rooibos as a Potential Phytopharmaceutical
19. Rooibos for Immune System Support
20. Anticancer potential of Rooibos Flavonoid
21. Rooibos and Diabetes
22. Anti-inflammatory Effects of Rooibos Tea

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