Why is rooibos tea good for you

Some of the best-researched uses of rooibos are as a treatment for:. Research on animals suggests rooibos has several beneficial effects on the heart. It appears to lower the risk of heart disease by:. A review said rooibos clearly has benefits as a therapeutic food for preventing and treating heart disease. Rooibos is generally fermented, which gives it its characteristic red coloring. The two forms appear to have some different qualities but the extent of these differences and their effect on medicinal uses isn't yet clear.

Type-2 diabetes involves oxidative stress —when free radicals unstable atoms that can damage cells outnumber the molecules that fight them. This may be countered by the antioxidants in rooibos. Other actions that may be beneficial in diabetes include:. Metabolic syndrome combines risk factors for type-2 diabetes and heart disease. Some studies show rooibos may lower these risks. Again, human trials haven't yet begun on rooibos for these uses. Until those are done, researchers won't know the actual risks and benefits of rooibos treatments.

Rooibos' properties as an antioxidant and immunomodulator may make it effective against some kinds of cancer. In addition, rooibos appears to protect against the side effects of chemotherapy used to treat cancer. All of these findings are from early studies.

Human trials will have to be run to see if rooibos is a safe and effective cancer treatment. Early-stage research into rooibos for many other health uses is ongoing. So far, it appears promising for:.

Rooibos may be useful for heart disease, diabetes, and cancer, among other things, but more research on humans must be done to confirm that. Regardless, rooibos should be considered a supplement to standard care, not a replacement. According to most sources, rooibos is considered "likely safe" for most people when drunk regularly. Evidence is insufficient to determine if rooibos is safe for pregnant or lactating women. A possible shortcoming of medicinal rooibos is that it may not be absorbed well through the gut.

Also, the liver may clear much of it from your blood before your body has a chance to use it. This could mean it will take large amounts to have an effect. Supplements can have negative interactions with drugs and other supplements. A key one to be aware of: the common cholesterol-lowering drug Lipitor atorvastatin. A study on rats suggested rooibos may increase the effects of Lipitor, meaning side effects may be more likely.

If you're taking Lipitor or a similar drug, be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking rooibos. Rooibos is prepared as an infusion. Usually, eight ounces of water is poured over 1 to 2 teaspoons of tea leaves. According to some studies, you must allow it to steep for 10 minutes in order for substances in rooibos to reach medicinal levels. Rooibos is often referred to as "red tea. You can also find it online. There are also products containing rooibos extracts.

They come in powdered, capsule, serum, and tincture forms. When reviewing your options, don't confuse rooibos extracts with green tea or tea tree products. These all come from different plants with different medicinal properties. The rooibos plant may have numerous medicinal uses. It's an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and may be beneficial in heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and myriad other conditions.

Importantly, though, research has yet to move into human trials, so safety and effectiveness in humans isn't established. Talk to your doctor before adding rooibos to your healthcare regimen. Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. Mahomoodally MF. Traditional medicines in Africa: an appraisal of ten potent African medicinal plants. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. Published Mar As Rooibos is herbal, it also brings a bounty of health benefits to the table too.

The taste of rooibos is earthy, slightly sweet, and swirled with the taste of nuts, caramel, and an almost smoky vanilla fragrance too. You can sip your rooibos with a spoon of honey for sweetness, a slice of lemon to cut through the smoke, or even with a dash of milk if you want more of that creaminess and to temper the reddish hue. Being low in tannins, free from caffeine, and loaded with antioxidants puts rooibos tea on the top shelf in terms of its amazing health benefits.

This tea is full of powerful ingredients that include a high dose mix of vitamins, minerals, and all those polyphenols you need to keep you on your feet. If you want to find out more about the health benefits that come with every cup of rooibos tea, keep reading…. Want to bring your blood sugar level down?

Get brewing up that pot of rooibos tea. For all those people out there who struggle with controlling their blood glucose thanks to type 2 diabetes, rooibos tea can lend a hand. Animal studies came back with the link between rooibos and the antioxidant known as aspalathin.

This antioxidant can help keep vascular inflammation down which can contribute to soaring blood sugar levels. More human studies may be needed but the evidence is looking good for rooibos helping to kick high blood sugar into touch.

This herbal remedy is ripe with a range of antioxidants including three of the most powerful kinds. Polyphenols are powerhouses when it comes to fighting free radicals, reducing infection, and giving the immune system a much-needed boost. Aspalathin is all about balancing out your glucose levels, and quercetin can keep your heart ticking and help bring down your blood pressure. The holy trinity of antioxidants are all found in a humble cup of tea. No matter which side of the age fence you are sitting on, keeping your heart beating strong and healthy is one of the most important things you can do for life longevity.

As rooibos tea is rich in antioxidants and free from caffeine it can actively help to improve your heart health and reduce high blood pressure. In a study was conducted where participants at risk from cardiovascular disease supped six cups of rooibos tea daily for 6 weeks.

The results showed that at the end of the study, those who took part had lower LDL levels the bad cholesterol and had higher HDL levels the good cholesterol. As cholesterol plays such a significant role in heart health and heart disease, this should be music to the ears of those who are keen to keep their cholesterol low and their heart strong. If you are on a journey towards healthier weight management, drinking rooibos tea is a low-risk way of helping to fend off unwanted obesity.

First of all, rooibos is low in calories and naturally sweet meaning that it can satiate that sweet tooth without loading you up with excess calories. But the research done into rooibos also points to its ability to reduce stress hormones which can stir up hunger pangs and encourage the body to store fat. Sipping this tea can help your body to balance energy rather than keeping it stashed away and turning it into fat reserves.

There is so much goodness in a single cup of rooibos tea! Not only do you get all these direct health benefits but you can also use rooibos to top up your vitamin and mineral intake. Rooibos is brimming with vitamin C which is one of those essential vitamins for fending off colds and flu and all kinds of nasty viruses as this vitamin boosts your immune system.

Those who sit down to sup rooibos may also find a good amount of copper, zinc, calcium, manganese, magnesium, potassium, and fluoride in this tea — so even more beneficial effects to love. Being naturally caffeine-free makes red rooibos tea great for those who are wanting to swerve the side effects of caffeine. Some people are more sensitive to caffeine than others and drinking caffeinated teas can leave them feeling jittery.

People especially like to turn to caffeine-free teas as part of their bedtime routine or when pregnant or dealing with any kind of health condition that means they should avoid caffeine. From smooth skin to shiny hair and reduced risk of infection, there is so much to celebrate when it comes to anything with anti-inflammatory properties. Rooibos hits high marks on the anti-inflammatory count with this lush deep red tea coming chocked with microscopic antioxidants and polyphenols that are ripe with anti-inflammatory goodness.

Because of this impressive ingredients list, you can cut through everything from adult allergies to colic in babies. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information. Subscriber club Reader offers More Good Food.

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Back to How to Roast timer Conversion guides. Back to Health Is air-frying healthy? Dairy-free diet Popular diets Healthy meal subscriptions Best vegan protein powders. Home How to Guide Top 5 health benefits of rooibos tea. What is rooibos tea? What are the nutritional benefits of rooibos tea?

What are the five main health benefits of rooibos tea? Does not have a stimulatory effect As a naturally caffeine-free beverage, rooibos may be drunk as a fluid replacement and is suitable for those who want to avoid, or are unable to tolerate, the stimulating effects of caffeine.

May be heart-friendly Drinking rooibos appears to have beneficial effects on blood pressure by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE , which causes blood vessels to contract and blood pressure to rise. May benefit people with type 2 diabetes Rich in protective plant compounds, including polyphenols, drinking rooibos regularly may help protect against the oxidative damage associated with diabetes.