I wanted to follow up today to Monday’s anti-aging hacks, where I asked you what your favorite tea was.
Many of you wrote in about green tea. But Eileen sent me an email asking me about the health benefits of rooibos tea. And it happens to be a tea I love.
Rooibos is naturally sweet, does not contain caffeine, and originates from South Africa.
In fact, there is a company in South Africa putting rooibos in wine instead of oak. It adds a health benefit to wine (but they can’t promote healthy wine) and a preservative (instead of sulfates). So it’s headache-free wine =).
It’s an interesting story because a family, which owns a wine farm, started putting rooibos tea bags in their glasses of wine. They liked the taste so much they got a patent and are now selling the wine in many countries.
But Eileen didn’t ask about rooibos wine, lol.
So, rooibos is high in polyphenols (a plant compound) which is an antioxidant.
Polyphenols protect your cells against free radicals. Free radicals damage the cells by causing oxidative stress which can then lead to cancer, diabetes, cataracts, autoimmune diseases, dementia, Alzheimer’s, clogged arteries, arthritis, hair loss, gray hair, wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity.
Another type of antioxidant, aspalathin, is also found in rooibos. It’s being studied for its blood-glucose-lowering properties and its ability to reduce vascular inflammation, which comes from high blood-sugar levels.
Rooibos tea has also been shown to lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol . And, in one study, it acted as an ACE inhibitor 30-60 minutes after consumption.
Besides drinking the tea you can apply a tea bag to your skin as an effective wrinkle, acne and eczema treatment.
And with all the benefits already mentioned, there’s still more … Rooibos has been found to:
- Fight colds and flus
- Aid in weight loss
- Help rebuild bones
- Reduce inflammation
- Work as a bronchodilator
- Prevent allergies (or the onset)
- Reduce symptoms of diarrhea
- Improve concentration
I’ve also found this great website on rooibos I think you might like. Just Click here to learn more or grab some recipes with rooibos – great also for the non-tea drinker.
The site also has a great article on how a 7th-grader tested rooibos tea on several diabetic dogs for a science project and had amazing results.
Before I close today I want to thank Eileen for emailing me with her question. And as much as I already knew about rooibos tea I learned a lot more. I’ll be making sure to stock up.
Have a great weekend. And if you have a question or would like to see an article about something … let me know. Just hit reply to this email.
For a healthier you!
Sandy
Sandy DeRose
References:
Saski M., Et. al. A Beneficial Role of Rooibos in Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Molecules. 2018.
Chuarienthong P., Et. al. Clinical efficacy comparison of anti-wrinkle cosmetics containing herbal flavonoids. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2010.
Mazibuko-Mbeje, SE., Et. al. Aspalathin, a natural product with the potential to reverse hepatic insulin resistance by improving energy metabolism and mitochondrial respiration. PLoS One. 2019.
Mazibuko SE., Et. al. Aspalathin improves glucose and lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes exposed to palmitate. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2015.
Myoung, JS., Et. al. Aspalathin improves hyperglycemia and glucose intolerance in obese diabetic ob/ob mice. Eur J Nutr. 2013.
Sae-Kwang, Ku., Et. al. Aspalathin and Nothofagin from Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) inhibits high glucose-induced inflammation in vitro and in vivo. Inflammation. 2015.
Marnewick JL., Et. al. Effects of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on oxidative stress and biochemical parameters in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease. J Ethnopharmacol. 2011.
Persson IA, Et. al. Effects of green tea, black tea and Rooibos tea on angiotensin-converting enzyme and nitric oxide in healthy volunteers. Public Health Nutr. 2010.
A-Rang, Et. al. Anti-wrinkle effects of fermented and non-fermented Cyclopia intermedia in hairless mice. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014.
Anti-Ageing Breathrough: Scientists Discover Rooibos’ Unique Anti-Ageing Potential. Rooibos Council. 2018.
Nash LA., Et. al. Comparison of black, green and rooibos tea on osteoblast activity. Food Funct. 2016.
Ajuwon OR., Et. al. Amelioration of lipopolysaccharide-induced liver injury by aqueous rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) extract via inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2014.
Khan AU., Et. al. Selective bronchodilatory effect of Rooibos tea (Aspalathus linearis) and its flavonoid, chrysoeriol. European Journal of Nutrition. 2006.
Gilani AH., Et. al. Antispasmodic Effects of Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis ) is Mediated Predominantly through K+‐Channel Activation. BCPT. 2006.
