If you’ve landed on this article, I presume you also prefer tea over coffee. I am a tea person as well and I have a good reason for it. I started exploring teas since I was sixteen and trust me, I still keep coming across a new variety or a new way of consuming tea. From teas like chamomile tea that are based on flowers to green, blue and red bush tea that are categorised on the basis of their colour, the range of teas and red bush tea benefits has always kept me intrigued.
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The newest craze in town seems to be red bush tea or Rooibos tea. The tea started gaining popularity in 2018 and by now it has quite an audience.
Rooibos tea which is also popular as red bush tea amazed everyone with its beautiful colour and its benefits. Rooibos tea is both antioxidant-rich and caffeine-free. Red bush tea benefits also include improving skin texture, boosting the immune system and bone health, improving heart health and preventing inflammation. It shows great results for people suffering from colic and diabetes. The tea is also known to have the potential to alleviate headaches, stomach cramps, asthma, eczema, insomnia, hypertension, allergies and premature ageing. Yes, a lot can happen over a Rooibos tea! Interesting, right?
What Is Rooibos Tea Or Red Tea?
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Rooibos tea is a herbal beverage known to have multiple medicinal properties. Red bush tea is acquired from a shrub found in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, Aspalathus linearis. As per the South African Rooibos Council, Rooibos isn’t really a tea but a herb. Its other name, African red tea or red bush tea comes from its colour. The fermented and dried tea takes a red colour.
Health Benefits Of Rooibos Tea
Benefits of Rooibos tea are in abundance. It’s rich in many minerals like iron, calcium, potassium, copper, manganese, magnesium, zinc and alpha hydroxy acid. The tea contains antioxidants like aspalathin and nothofagin and extremely potent and versatile phenolic compounds as per a research conducted by USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Ageing at Tufts University in the United States. Rooibos tea has no oxalic acid so it can also be consumed by people who have kidney stones.
If you’re health-conscious, red Rooibos tea might just be the perfect beverage for you. Here are some of the most noted health benefits of Rooibos tea.
Rich In Antioxidants
Rooibos tea contains the two vital antioxidants, aspalathin and nothofagin. As a beverage, it boosts your immune system and protects the body against all types of diseases including the complications of diabetes.
The tea has anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antimutagenic qualities as it contains flavonols, flavonoids, polyphenols and dihydrochalcones. Flavonoids have been associated with lowering the risk of coronary heart diseases. As per a study conducted in 2014 in South Africa, it is found that drinking organic red Rooibos tea provides the liver with potent antioxidants. The antioxidants act as scavengers of free radicals in the body. It helps in reducing the risk of cancer and heart diseases.
Good For Heart Health
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Rooibos tea reduces blood pressure and scavenges free radicals as it is anti-inflammatory in nature. As per a study conducted by Swedish researchers, red Rooibos tea is a natural angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It helps in regulating BP and boosts heart health. Another powerful antioxidant found in Rooibos tea, Quercetin, helps in preventing a variety of heart conditions. It promotes HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol) and controls the LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) from blocking the walls of arteries and blood vessels.
Controls Diabetes
A study held by Son MJ et al. suggests that aspalathin (a type of antioxidant) present in Rooibos tea has anti-diabetic properties. It helps balance blood sugar, improves insulin resistance and glucose absorption by muscles and boosts insulin secretion from the pancreas. By balancing blood sugar, Rooibos tea protects diabetics by preventing blood sugar spikes and drops that are detrimental to overall health.
Reduce Allergies
Rooibos tea is used as an effective way to treat allergies like eczema, hay fever and allergy-related bronchitis in some parts of South Africa. Its anti-inflammatory qualities help in treating asthma and topical allergic reactions.
Improves Bone Health
Red bush tea is also rich in calcium, fluoride minerals and manganese which assist the body in maintaining good bone structure and stronger teeth. It also reduces the chances of developing conditions like arthritis, osteoporosis and chronic joint pain. As per a study conducted by researchers from the University of Miami, Florida, United States suggests that this tea has enough Flouride to contain dental decay and cavities. While fluoride is of advantage for overall teeth health, manganese works on a deeper level by stimulating the enzymes which are required to build new bones and repair damages.
Treats Colic
South Africans use Rooibos as a treatment for stomach pain or colic. Most likely, the anti-inflammatory properties of the herb are responsible for soothing colic and stomach pain.
Controls Blood Pressure
Rooibos tea is known to relieve stress, nervousness and hypertensive conditions. Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, can be treated through Rooibos tea. It acts as a bronchodilator by increasing airflow to the lungs. A study showed that drinking a single cup of Rooibos tea can help inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme. The red bush tea benefits in lowering blood pressure and mitigating dangerous cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and atherosclerosis.
Caffeine-Free
Rooibos tea is often recommended to people suffering from insomnia as it is caffeine-free. As per research in Economic Botany, a cup of red bush tea before going to bed can help you sleep better. By removing caffeine from your diet, you can lower your stress levels, improve your mood and enhance your heart health. Red bush tea gives you all the health benefits without any dangerous addictive substance.
Antispasmodic Properties
This tea is also a good source of antispasmodic agents which can ease stomach cramps and abdominal pains. It’s mainly because of the activation of K+ (potassium) ions in the body. It reduces the presence of hyperactivity in the gastrointestinal tract, prevents diarrhoea and other intestinal issues.
Prevents Kidney Stones
There is no oxalic acid in red tea which makes it suitable for people with kidney stones. Due to oxalic acid, people with kidney stones are discouraged from drinking too much tea as this acid is a crystal-forming substance. It can make the presence of calcium stones or any other painful growth in the kidneys even worse by enlarging them. But people with kidney stones can drink Rooibos tea.
Contains Rare Nutrients
Red bush tea contains rare nutrients such as quercetin and bioflavonoids that assist in blood circulation and obstruct haemorrhaging.
It’s A Great Beverage
It’s a thirst quencher and can do wonders for athletes, children and travellers. People prefer brew red Rooibos loose leaf tea in its natural form without any sweeteners. It’s ideal for people who aren’t a fan of caffeine or have been prescribed to have caffeine-free drinks.
Skin Benefits Of Rooibos Tea
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Rooibos tea is not only good for your health, but it’s also great for your skin.
Delays Ageing
Rooibos tea is packed with antioxidants which slows down the ageing process and boosts the immune system. Researchers in South Africa have found that the local herb helps slow down the degeneration of fat cells inhibiting the formation of wrinkles. Rooibos tea is one of the most potent beverages that keeps the body young as it seeks out free radicals that damage the skin, hair, bones and other organs.
Side Effects Of Rooibos Tea
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Despite so many health benefits, this red beverage does have a few side effects also. Due to its powerful properties, Rooibos tea can interfere with the procedure of chemotherapy. It might not be a good idea to consume Rooibos tea if you have hormone-sensitive cancer like breast cancer as red bush tea has also shown estrogenic activities in certain studies. It may also cause liver toxicity. In such cases, do reach out to an oncologist.
If you have any existing liver or kidney conditions, Rooibos might not be for you as it will cause more harm than help. Consult your doctor before adding this powerful beverage to your daily diet.
Guide To Drinking Rooibos Tea During Pregnancy
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If you’re pregnant, you already have a lot to exclude from your diet, especially caffeinated drinks including coffee. But the good news is, Rooibos is caffeine-free. Only Rooibos tea and other non-caffeine teas such as peppermint, dandelion, nettle and ginger can be consumed during pregnancy. Drinking Rooibos tea during pregnancy can help you get restful sleep and improve the digestive process.
The Best Rooibos Tea Available In India
It’s time to add red bush tea to your daily diet!
Tea Treasure Rooibos Red Tea Pure Herb
Tea Treasure’s Rooibos red tea is rejuvenating and muscle relaxing. They select the best leaves from Africa to give the experience of pure Rooibos herb to their customers. This tea has no added flavours.
The Indian Chai Pure South African Rooibos
The Indian Chai is another brand that brings pure South African Rooibos to you. Just add one teaspoon to boiling water and let the flavour sink. After five minutes, strain and serve.
Nectared South African Rooibos Loose Red Tea
Recent clinical trials in South Africa and Japan have shown that along with other visible benefits, Rooibos tea can help with sleeplessness and mild depression as well. So what are you waiting for? Pour yourself a cup!
FAQs
What Is Red Bush Tea Good For?
As mentioned above, it is a great caffeine-free alternative to black and green tea. It’s packed with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties which is a great resource to prevent cancer, heart diseases and stroke.
Is Red Bush Tea Good For Losing Weight?
Teas are often associated with weight loss. Rooibos is one of the herbal tea that also helps in weight loss. It is effective in fat burning, boosting metabolism and blocking the formation of fat cells.
How Many Cups Of Rooibos Tea Should You Drink In A Day?
As per experts, drinking six cups of Rooibos tea a day along with a balanced diet can provide you with the maximum health and weight loss benefits.
Is Rooibos Tea Better Than Green Tea?
It depends on the nutrients you’re looking for. Rooibos tea is high in antioxidants but not as much as green and black teas. The antioxidants present in Rooibos tea are different than the ones in green and black teas. Unlike green and black teas, red bush tea is also free of caffeine.
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Also Read: Chamomile Tea Benefits – Love The Aroma & Taste Of Tea? It’s Time To Discover The Magic Of Chamomile! And The Magic Drink: All You Need To Know About Green Tea & Its Benefits
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