The Many Health Benefits of Drinking Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea has been used for centuries to treat a wide variety of ailments. It is known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Research shows that it can be useful in the treatment of certain types of cancer, osteoporosis, eczema, diabetes, asthma, depression, fatigue, high cholesterol, liver problems, gall bladder problems, insomnia, kidney disorders, skin conditions, and more. In addition, there are also some health benefits to drinking a cup or two every day of this lovely cup of tea.
So, what exactly is rooibos tea? It’s actually an herbal tea. Rooibos, from the Greek word for “red bush,” is a red-colored broom-like plant belonging to the Fabaceae family, native to South Africa’s fynbos area. It produces flowers that are about the same size as the tea bush itself and have a very sweet flavor, which is why many people prefer to brew it in teapots rather than drinking it hot. The blooms produce the tea, which is then dried, ground into a fine powder and added to recipes for other drinks and dishes.
The tea, in turn, is mixed with fruit juice and sometimes milk. Some rooibos teas have only one to two cups of the tea for each eight ounces of water, although some brands add sugar and flavorings to the mixture. Other brands usually have a third cup or so. It is used in a wide variety of recipes and at home, but is especially popular in South Africa. Because it tastes so nice, it is often served when guests arrive at a dinner party, as well as in the privacy of your own home.
While there are some well-established health benefits to drinking rooibos tea, not all of them have been proven. One of the most widely-accepted facts about the tea is that it can help people lose weight. A study at the University of Cape Town found that, depending on the level of fat present in the diet, drinking one to five cups a day could help lower a person’s appetite and prevent them from gaining excessive weight. While no formal research has yet been done on the subject, it seems that drinking rooibos tea may help prevent people from becoming overweight because it helps increase the amount of energy they burn, which decreases their food intake.
Another benefit attributed to rooibos tea is its effect on reducing cholesterol levels. One study conducted in New Zealand concluded that drinking four cups a day, about twice per day, can help reduce LDL cholesterol by as much as thirty percent, and also help reduce the body’s production of HDL cholesterol, which is thought to fight heart disease.
A study conducted by the University of Glasgow compared the effects of drinking rooibos tea with those of consuming cholesterol lowering statin drugs.
The group that drank the tea saw a significant decrease in their blood pressure while the statin group saw a slight decrease. However, a more recent study by the University of Adelaide in Australia did not find the same result. Some people might respond differently to either group. The study also looked at the amount of cholesterol increased in the blood with some people drinking tea and others not.
A more recent study also looked at the effects of the tea on people suffering from diabetes, heart disease, and hypertension. The tea seemed to help lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of strokes. It can also lower high blood pressure. One person also reported that it lowered their cholesterol levels.
There are many benefits attributed to drinking rooibos tea, so the benefits may be greater than what you originally think. It seems that drinking the tea could help improve many aspects of your life, including your diet, your cholesterol levels, and your overall health.