Can drinking Rooibos really prevent diabetes?

We’d love to be able to give you a definitive answer but science seldom makes things that straightforward. Drinking Rooibos probably reduces your chances of developing the condition, and helps you manage it so things don’t get more serious – but let’s just clarify what we mean by that.

What is diabetes?

There are two main types of diabetes. Type 1 is where your body doesn’t produce enough insulin to adequately regulate blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body becomes insulin resistant. Both relate to your body’s ability to process sugar.

No sugar, no problem

Rooibos is sugar-free and naturally sweet enough to make adding extra sugar unnecessary. So it’s certainly not going to make things more difficult if you already have any form of diabetes – and if you are in that category you are advised to avoid sources of dietary sugar…so it’s a smart choice in that situation. But does reducing your sugar intake directly reduce your chances of developing type 2 diabetes? No, not directly. But consuming sugar does help you put on weight. And being overweight increases the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. So, drinking Rooibos does make sense as a diabetes-avoiding strategy.

A cuppa with good chemistry

The Rooibos plant, Aspalathus linearis, contains a unique antioxidant called aspalathin – unique in the sense that you’ll find it in no other plant. Research conducted by the SA Medical Research Council (SAMRC) and their research partners indicates that this antioxidant demonstrates antidiabetic activity and has the potential to delay and prevent the onset and progression of type 2 diabetes. Read this article about how drinking Rooibos tea can help you avoid and cope with this condition.