4 Health Benefits of Rooibos tea

Howzit Tea Lovers!

If you need help deciding whether you should be having Rooibos during your daily tea break – or should we say tea breaks – you’ve come to the right place. We would like to share 4 health benefits of Rooibos, to help you make an informed decision.

Of course, the list of benefits we’re about to discuss is not exhaustive. If you do some googling, you will find a whole lot of claims regarding the health benefits of drinking Rooibos. Some of which have more data than others…

We cannot discuss all the benefits of Rooibos in a single post nor can we separate ALL the facts from fiction. Nonetheless, we at Rooibos Rocks care first and foremost about your well-being and so, want to provide you with SOME factual info to help you and your family make healthier lifestyle choices.

FUN FACT: In 2000 Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones served Rooibos flavored ice cream to their guests at their wedding.

And now, without any further ado, we present to you…4 Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea.

Health benefit # 1: Caffeine Free

Unlike other teas, Rooibos is naturally caffeine free. So, if you’re trying to cut down on your caffeine intake, Rooibos tea could be your go-to drink. Moreover, if you need something delicious and healthy to sip on before going to bed then Rooibos is your best bet.

Because of its zero caffeine content, you can consume Rooibos directly before you hit the hay without it having any adverse effects on your quality of sleep. In fact, Rooibos could actually have a positive effect on your sleep quality…

Given that Redbush tea is caffeine free AND that it is known to have a soothing effect on the body’s central nervous system, it should help you get some decent shut-eye. As a result, you will wake up refreshed and ready to hit the road running.

DID YOU KNOW: Because Rooibos is naturally caffeine free, The South African Rooibos Council states that it can be enjoyed by ALL including babies, infants, and breastfeeding mothers. (Note: it’s still always a good idea to consult your health care provider before consuming ANY tea during pregnancy and lactation).)

Health benefit # 2: Antioxidant Rich 

Studies suggest that Rooibos tea, being rich in antioxidants, can increase the levels of antioxidants in your blood. To understand why this may be beneficial let us explain what antioxidants are…

Get your lab coats, this is the chemistry… Ready?

Antioxidants are the molecules that help prevent cell damage caused by the Free Radicals that your body produces. Essentially, antioxidants are stable enough to do without an extra electron and so work by donating this spare electron to the free radicals. And that’s good!

Free Radicals are molecules that have an uneven number of electrons and are thus unstable. They are produced by the body as it processes food and as it reacts to its surrounding environment.

DID YOU KNOW: Air pollution, UV exposure, cigarette smoke, alcohol and, poor diet are some of the lifestyle/environmental factors that spur on the production of excess free radicals.

Because of their uneven number of electrons, free radicals react very easily with other molecules in your body. Such reactions are known as oxidation reactions and are quite normal and often useful. For instance, free radicals are used by your body’s cells to help fight infections.

However… When the balance of free radicals and antioxidants in your body is disturbed, such reactions may become uncontrolled and oxidative stress ensues. And that's NOT good!

In summary, when there are more free radicals in your body than antioxidants to keep them in check, they may start damaging or changing the structure of your body’s proteins, fatty tissues and even it’s DNA.

DID YOU KNOW: Studies suggest that the onset and/or progression of several health issues - including, diabetes, inflammation, heart disease and, cancer - may be linked to oxidative stress caused by free radicals.

Rooibos tea, being high in antioxidants, such as Quercetin and Aspalathin, could help prevent damage caused by excess free radicals in the body.

All of this helps explain why the assertions about Rooibos, backed by scientific evidence – suggest that the tea could aid in preventing the onset and/or progression of health issues such as cancer and heart disease. Further studies continue to be conducted to find even more conclusive evidence.

Health benefit #3: Could contribute to a healthy heart

Speaking of antioxidants… Rooibos tea contains a particular antioxidant called Chrysoeriol which is understood to contribute to a healthy heart.

How so, you ask?

More science…

Well, researchers claim that Chrysoeriol could help prevent your arteries from becoming narrow and hard – a scenario which can lead to a heart attack.

Further, Rooibos is also thought to aid the healthy functioning of your heart by significantly inhibiting the activity of the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). This enzyme is thought to increase blood pressure and is believed to contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease.

Health benefit #4: Low in tannins (tannic acid)

Ever wondered why you feel nauseous after having a cup of green tea, especially if you’ve had too much of it on an empty stomach?

Well, most teas contain tannic acid, but green tea has a particularly high concentration of this bitter polyphenol. As such, it can increase the amount of acid in your stomach enough to cause constipation, acid reflux and even nausea. Such an issue will not occur when drinking (even copious amounts of) Rooibos tea though as it has a much lower tannin content.

Other than causing side effects like nausea, tannic acid also interferes with the absorption of non-heme iron (that’s iron from plant-based foods). As a result, infants and toddlers, teenage girls, pre-menopausal women, elderly men and vegetarians who get their iron from plant-based foods are advised to consume black tea / green tea at least one hour after meals.

If Rooibos is your drink of choice, you can drink it whenever you want, as it is not known to significantly affect iron absorption. Bottoms up!!

Rooibos simply rocks

Due to its many health benefits, Rooibos can be enjoyed during all stages of your life…during pregnancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age. So bring us along on your life’s journey, we’re here for the long haul!

By the way, did we mention that, apart from benefiting you, consuming Rooibos tea can help others too?

DID YOU KNOW: The South African Rooibos Council, estimates that Rooibos production creates employment for “more than 5 000 people”.

The Rooibos Industry both, directly and indirectly, supports the income and livelihoods of the indigenous population of the Cederberg region. For instance, most Rooibos farms provide housing and schooling for the local, indigenous people who work on the farms as well as help to educate their children.

So while you’re feeling the goodness of Rooibos tea you can also feel good in knowing that you are helping to support others too.

A toast to healthy living

Thank you for letting us share some of the health benefits of Rooibos tea with you. Hopefully, by now, we’ve said enough to convince you to become or seriously consider becoming a Rooibos rookie in order to lead a healthier life.

Start making healthier lifestyle choices by heading on over to our shop to see the range of wholesome Rooibos tea products that we have. You’ll be sure to find something that fits your fancy.

Here’s to healthier living.

The Rooibos Rocks Family

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