Red Rooibos: All the Health Benefits

Red Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), also known as red tea or red bush tea, is a medicinal herb that has been consumed in southern Africa for centuries. It is usually grown on the western coast of South Africa, and is quickly gaining popularity around the world—and for good reason. Red Rooibos has a great variety of health benefits, and contains large amounts of antioxidants that protect against heart disease and stroke.

Rooibos is associated with many health benefits primarily due to its high levels of health-promoting antioxidants, which include aspalathin and quercetin. Antioxidants help protect cells from damage by free radicals. There is some evidence that rooibos tea can increase antioxidant levels in your body. In one 15-person study, blood levels of antioxidants increased by 2.9% when participants drank red rooibos and 6.6% when they drank the green fermented variety of the tea. This increase lasted for five hours after the participants drank 17 ounces (500 ml) of tea made with 750 mg of rooibos leaves.

Our Zuma Nutrition team are able to concentrate the effects through a special alcohol extraction method giving a therapeutic dosage of this amazing adaptogen. One could drink about 20 cups of tea or simply take a dropperful of our liver formula which includes Red Roobios paired with synergistic adaptogens and other botanicals.

Antioxidants in rooibos are also linked to a healthier heart. This may be due to a variety of reasons. One in particular is that consuming red rooibos has beneficial effects on blood pressure by inhibiting angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). ACE indirectly increases blood pressure by causing your blood vessels to contract. In a study in 17 people, drinking rooibos tea inhibited ACE activity 30–60 minutes after ingestion. There is also promising evidence that the tea can improve cholesterol levels. In a study in 40 overweight adults at high risk of heart disease, six cups of rooibos tea daily for six weeks decreased “bad” LDL cholesterol while boosting “good” HDL cholesterol.   Healthy cholesterol levels give added protection against various heart conditions, including heart attacks and strokes.

Rooibos tea is also the only known natural source of the antioxidant aspalathin, which animal studies suggest may have anti-diabetic effects. One study in mice with type 2 diabetes found that aspalathin balanced blood sugar levels and reduced insulin resistance, which could prove promising for people who have or are at risk of type 2 diabetes. 

Others have claimed that red rooibos helps to improve bone health, improve digestion, and aid in sleep problems, allergies, and headaches. Rich with health-promoting antioxidants, red rooibos is a safe and wonderful herb to consume for anyone looking to improve their overall health and well-being.

Sources Cited:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19156714

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814610005923

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20144258

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20833235

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12168845

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23238530

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0944711308002213