Some benefits of rooibos tea include its high levels of antioxidants, heart-healthy properties, anti-inflammatory properties, and many others. Because there are a lot of flavonoids, studies show the health benefits of rooibos tea can range from supporting healthy bones to aiding in weight loss. A combination of antioxidants may be able to neutralize these free radicals and may help to limit the effects of free radicals. [Sources: 1, 3, 4]
The high antioxidant content in rooibos tea can help to protect against free radical damage associated with cancer. Rooibos tea contains polyphenols, which may help to protect against free radicals, which may cause inflammation and contribute to heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Drinking rooibos regularly can help to guard against oxidative damage associated with diabetes. [Sources: 3, 8, 9]
More importantly, green tea and rooibos are highly bioactive, performing their antioxidant functions inside cells and preventing cell death due to oxidative stress. Independent from their scavenging activities against free radicals, tea polyphenols, particularly green tea and green rooibos, is shown to promote the cells’ natural antioxidant pathways, increasing the cells’ ability to resist oxidative stress itself. [Sources: 10]
Research from South Africas Nelson Mandela Institute has shown that both green tea and rooibos teas are highly bioavailable, meaning that they can penetrate cellular lipid membranes and accumulate within cells. Believe it or not, some types of rooibos leaf have been shown to contain just as much, or more, antioxidants than green tea, though the absorption seems to be lower. [Sources: 1, 6, 10]
In these studies, green rooibos showed similar overall polyphenolic contents, antioxidant capacities, and reduced cell viability of the skin as green tea, suggesting similar modes of action. While the traditional red rooibos showed highly similar benefits compared to green types, studies have suggested green ones may inhibit the growth of tumor cells at slightly higher rates. While red types hold tremendous potential for treating a variety of health conditions, green types are richer in antioxidants. [Sources: 6, 10]
Aspalathin, the antioxidant in rooibos plants, can aid glucose and lipid metabolism, making Aspalathin useful in managing obesity, type 2 diabetes, and insulin resistance. Researchers are particularly interested in aspalathin, an antioxidant found in rooibos, which may have the potential to reduce blood sugar. Unfermented rooibos contains aspalathin, a flavonoid, and at least one study published in Phytomedicine suggests it has been found to have a glucose-lowering effect, which is why rooibos could be useful for preventing type-2 diabetes. Rooibos is a rich source of antioxidant aspalathin, which animal studies have suggested helps to balance blood sugar levels and reduces insulin resistance. [Sources: 0, 3, 6, 9]
Because Rooibos tea is high in antioxidants and is caffeine-free, it may actively help to boost your heart health and lower blood pressure. Being low in tannins, caffeine-free, and loaded with antioxidants puts rooibos tea at the top shelf when it comes to amazing health benefits. The high flavonol content in rooibos tea also supports your cardiovascular health due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, and also because it has positive effects on your blood fats, including cholesterol. [Sources: 3, 7]
Test-tube studies show that the antioxidants found in rooibos tea, namely quercetin and luteolin, actively kill tumor cells and help to prevent the tumor from growing. A joint study from Europe showed that both green and fermented rooibos dramatically increased antioxidant capacities in the blood of humans, thus increasing the body’s natural defenses. The antioxidant combination is powerful enough to increase the antioxidant levels in the blood in measurable ways, thus strengthening the body’s internal defenses against disease. [Sources: 7, 8, 12]
Additionally, rooibos antioxidant properties may aid in protecting the follicles from damage. The antioxidant gallic acid is linked with protecting against osteoporosis, and studies show that drinking rooibos tea can help maintain strong bones. Superoxide dismutase also works with the other antioxidants in rooibos tea to combat the free radicals that may speed up the aging process. Rooibos also has an anti-spasmodic effect on the intestine, thus decreasing stomach cramps and diarrhea. [Sources: 1, 2, 5, 11]
Aspalathin and nothofagin, two chemical compounds found in rooibos tea, exert a major impact on inflammation of the whole vascular system and are thought to be critical for treating potential complications from diabetes related to the heart. Rooibos tea has antibacterial compounds, along with vitamins and minerals like fluoride, iron, manganese, magnesium, zinc, calcium, vitamin D, and potassium, all of which may aid improve the texture, quality, health, and elasticity of the skin. [Sources: 1, 9]
Experts are unsure whether adding milk or soymilk to rooibos tea has negative effects, but a 2013 study published in the European Journal of Nutrition found that adding dairy and soymilk to green tea decreased the bioavailability of antioxidants, so it is probably best to tread carefully before adding milk or soy if you are looking for the benefits of rooibos. It is also worth noting that the high antioxidant activity of rooibos tea may also be counterproductive with some medications, so, once again, consult with your doctor to ensure that you can sit down to a cup of rooibos tea without concern. [Sources: 1, 7, 9]
Sources:
[0]: https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-rooibos-tea
[1]: https://draxe.com/nutrition/rooibos-tea/
[2]: https://senchateabar.com/blogs/blog/rooibos-tea-benefits
[3]: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/health-benefits-of-rooibos-tea
[4]: https://www.artfultea.com/tea-wisdom-1/rooibos-tea-benefits
[5]: https://wildwoodhealth.com/health-benefits-of-rooibos-tea-are-they-for-you/
[6]: https://simplelooseleaf.com/blog/green-tea/green-rooibos-tea-benefits/
[7]: https://www.myteadrop.com/blogs/news/rooibos-tea-benefits
[8]: https://sarooibos.co.za/health-fact/
[9]: https://www.besthealthmag.ca/article/rooibos-tea-benefits/
[10]: https://maysama.com/blogs/news/is-green-rooibos-the-new-green-tea
[11]: https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/green-rooibos-benefits-7377.html
