Disclaimer :- The health benefits mentioned are drawn from existing research found online and are provided for informational purposes only. They are not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It's essential to consult with a qualified healthcare professional before making any changes to your health regimen based on this content.
First, before we jump into all the rooibos tea benefits, let's get this straight: Rooibos tea is pronounced roy-bohs. If the second part still throws you, some people also suggest the pronunciation sounds like roy-boss.
Once a little-known tea, rooibos is gaining popularity, and people worldwide can't get enough of this delicious hot beverage and all the rooibos tea benefits. Rooibos is an aromatic, caffeine-free tea alternative. In addition, Rooibos has a sweet and delicate taste, making it a gentle alternative to more intense teas.
There’re also a whole heap of benefits of drinking rooibos tea, making it a win-win for your tastebuds and your health. So, stick with us as we get into the health benefits of rooibos tea as well as the possible side effects.
what is rooibos tea?
Before we jump into all the incredible rooibos tea benefits, what exactly is rooibos? Rooibos is a herbal tea made from the leaves of a shrub called Aspalathus linearis. A native of South Africa's Western Cape region, rooibos is still primarily grown there. So technically, rooibos isn't a tea but rather is a herbal infusion or, technically speaking, a 'tisane'. However, most people tend to say herbal tea, so we will too. Fortunately, its lack of tea pedigree doesn’t take away from all of the rooibos tea benefits.
One of the commonly mentioned rooibos tea benefits is that it has no caffeine. Rooibos is Dutch for "red bush", and some people still refer to it as red tea or red bush tea. In spite of the fact that rooibos is a herbal tea, it has a similar taste to black tea, with a hint of natural sweetness. Which makes getting all the benefits of rooibos tea a delicious journey.
Rooibos is rich in antioxidants, meaning it's stacked with a whole lot of healthy goodness — these antioxidants are the source of many of the rooibos tea benefits. So, with no further ado, let's jump into some of the incredible health benefits of rooibos tea.
health benefits of rooibos tea are listed below
There are a whole lot of health benefits of rooibos tea. Rooibos tea benefits include improved digestion, better skin health, and reduced inflammation. In fact, there are so many rooibos tea benefits, it's hard to list them all, so we did our research and found the top 10 rooibos tea benefits:
1. high in antioxidants
First of the many benefits of drinking rooibos tea —rooibos tea is chock-a-block full of antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that protect our cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules called 'free radicals'. Free radicals are as dangerous as they sound, playing a part in cancer, stroke and heart disease. Of course, it goes without saying antioxidants are the good guys in this scenario, so a delicious mug of tea full of antioxidants is an easy win to score some of the benefits of rooibos tea.
The green variety of rooibos contains higher levels of antioxidants than the red variety. So, if you are looking for the best way to stack up your antioxidant load and get all the benefits of drinking rooibos tea, opt for a green variety.
2. anti-inflammatory effects
Next up on the elaborate rooibos health benefits list — sipping on rooibos tea can help to reduce inflammation. Among the many benefits of drinking rooibos tea, its natural anti-inflammatory properties (super-powers), rooibos can help soothe minor injuries and inflammation.
Flavonoids (a new zesty word for a group of natural substances) in Rooibos tea, like aspalathin and quercetin, have been shown to help reduce inflammation when tested in lab tests using animals. So, whether you are prone to inflammatory related effects or not, get all the benefits of rooibos tea with a steamy mug morning or night.
3. improves heart health
Next up on the list of rooibos tea benefits — it's possible that a simple mug of rooibos tea can help to improve your heart health. In fact, some of the most notable rooibos tea benefits include lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Some studies indicate the benefits of drinking rooibos tea are advantageous for those at risk of cardiovascular disease. Rooibos contains bronchodilators, a compound that helps lower high blood pressure and increases circulation.
While there is still some research work to do, considering how easy it is to pop on the kettle and brew up a delicious steamy beverage, we think it's a win-win to add to your routine with the array of benefits of rooibos tea.
4. improves skin health
Are you looking for a glowing skin routine? Another of the surprising benefits of rooibos tea is its positive impact on your skin. Rooibos tea should likely make its way into your skin health regime. Alpha hydroxy acid, an ingredient found in Rooibos tea, is used in skin treatments like chemical peels. Alpha hydroxy acids aren't normally found in foods, so out of many rooibos tea benefits this one is especially unique to the red leaf tea.
5. ideal for before sleep
Rooibos tea benefits from being naturally caffeine-free. You can't beat rooibos as a caffeine-free alternative to classic black tea if you want an easy and delicious replacement, minus the buzz. This is especially true because rooibos comes in similar flavours to classic black tea blends, boasting options like rooibos chai and Earl Grey rooibos. Because rooibos doesn't contain caffeine, it's the perfect evening nightcap. Rooibos can also be easily blended with other flavours for a super relaxing before-bed beverage, for a good sleep and the many other benefits of rooibos tea.
6. may boost bone health
The benefits of drinking rooibos tea just keep on going— even your bones might benefit from Rooibos tea. There's early research that shows that rooibos tea, black tea, and green tea can help to strengthen your bones by improving both bone density and strength. Admittedly, the research and data on this topic are still early days. However, when rooibos tea is a delicious and relaxing beverage, everything else is just icing on the cake, especially when there are so many other benefits of rooibos tea. So why not sip in the right direction for your bone health, and add rooibos into the mix?
7. may reduce the risk of cancer
One of the benefits of rooibos tea is its potential cancer-killing effects. Studies have shown that the antioxidants (quercetin and luteolin in particular) inside rooibos tea can help kill cancer cells and prevent tumour growth. However, it does have to be noted that the amount of quercetin and luteolin in a steamy cup of rooibos tea is minimal, making many fruits and vegetables a more reliable source. For this reason, it isn't entirely clear that rooibos contains enough antioxidants to provide the intended benefits. More studies need to be conducted to understand the exact benefits of drinking rooibos tea and its impact on cancer cells clearly.
8. improves digestion
Next up on this master list of the benefits of rooibos tea — let’s talk digestion. Rooibos tea greatly improves digestion and some symptoms of bloating, cramping, or any other type of funny tummy. This is because the tea contains anti-inflammatory agents which can relax an upset stomach. Rooibos also has an anti-spasmodic effect, preventing or calming cramps and other stomach pains. So, grab a cuppa after dinner if you're having trouble with your tum. And don't worry; it's caffeine-free and won't keep you up, one of the many benefits of drinking rooibos tea.
9. regulates blood sugar
Next up on the list of the benefits of rooibos tea — regulating blood sugar. Did you know that this simple tea can help reduce blood sugar and even help some people with diabetes? You heard that right; rooibos can help to regulate blood sugar by improving insulin resistance and sensitivity. Another one of the benefits of rooibos tea is its naturally sweet taste makes it a great alternative to sugary beverages that could negatively affect your blood sugar levels.
10. supports bone health
Last but definitely not least, on our list of the top science-backed health benefits of Rooibos tea is that it's crammed full of great vitamins and minerals, including fluoride, manganese and calcium. All of these minerals are important in proper bone function. Manganese is especially important for developing strong and healthy bones. And we all know just how important it is to drink your milk and get a daily dose of calcium. Now, you can swap that out for a glass of tasty rooibos instead.
side effects of rooibos tea
We have talked about the benefits of rooibos tea, but what about the side effects? Generally, people tend to have a pretty smooth-sailing experience with rooibos tea, which is considered very safe to consume. Some people have reported adverse side effects, but they're rare.
Certain compounds in tea can stimulate oestrogen production in women, in fact for women suffering from PCOS, this is one of the benefits of rooibos tea. However, it's recommended that people with hormone-sensitive conditions, like breast cancer, stay away from this type of tea. Negative side effects are relatively mild, and the consumption of rooibos tea would need to be pretty high to see this effect.
Rooibos tea may also interfere with some medications. If you are still determining if rooibos tea is a good fit for you, it's best to consult your doctor.
Conclusion
So, there you have it; the benefits of drinking rooibos tea stretch far beyond what most people originally imagined. Rooibos tea seems to have everything going for it. With so many rooibos health benefits packed within this delicious tea, why not add a steamy mug to your day?
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faqs on rooibos tea benefits
Q. does rooibos tea help with belly fat?
A. Sadly, no. While we’d love if downing rooibos tea and shedding the pounds was included in our list of the benefits of rooibos tea, no studies suggest that rooibos tea directly impacts belly fat loss. That said, rooibos tea is a low-calorie and caffeine-free beverage that is a wise and healthy replacement for other sugary drinks.
Q. what does rooibos tea do to a woman?
A. One of the many Rooibos tea benefits is that it is known to increase the production of a female hormone called oestrogen. For the most part, this isn't anything that should worry you. Despite the many health benefits of rooibos tea, for those with breast cancer or other hormone-related conditions, it may be a good idea to check in with your doctor before drinking rooibos.
Q. does rooibos tea affect sleep?
A. One of the less proven benefits of Rooibos tea is that it may help some people to sleep more soundly. This is because there are a bunch of compounds in Rooibos tea, like flavonoids and antioxidants, that promote relaxation and help you sleep better.
Q. does rooibos tea help with anxiety?
A. Rooibos tea benefits include calming properties that may help with anxiety by reducing stress and increasing relaxation. So, while it's not a bad idea to add rooibos to your daily routine if you have anxiety, there's still more research needed to grasp the effects on managing anxiety. If you are dealing with anxiety, contacting a healthcare professional is best. A holistic approach to anxiety management may include rooibos tea, but it should not replace professional help. With all of the benefits of rooibos tea, adding a warm mug to your daily routine can’t hurt.
