Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea Evidence of the health benefits of Rooibos Tea is growing by the day. Health benefits, especially the ones associated with drinking of Rooibos tea, are most significant. Rooibos tea contains extremely high levels of antioxidants, powerful substances that fight free radicals in the bloodstream and keep bodies healthy and strong. Reduction of insomnia, tension headaches and irritability are well known benefits associated with Rooibos tea. As a tea with no caffeine, Rooibos drinkers have found that enjoying a ‘cuppa’ before bed helps to relax them and relieves tension, allowing for a great night of sleep. By helping to normalise tea drinkers’ sleeping habits, Rooibos often reduces headaches and irritability. Although only supported by anecdotal evidence, relief from colic and stomach cramps in babies is a well-known benefit fully accepted by the South African public at large. Research (not sponsored by CANSA) showed that six cups of Rooibos tea per day increased glutathione by 100%. Rooibos tea, unique to South Africa, is consumed by millions every day and could be playing an important role in preventing cancer. The most important connection found with cancer was the observation that rats given Rooibos tea as the only source of liquid showed a 500% increase in the master antioxidant, glutathione in the liver. Made within the body, glutathione cannot be taken as a supplement as it is destroyed in the gut. There is ample evidence that glutathione fights cancer by neutralising carcinogens. For instance, glutathione can bind to the carcinogen aflatoxin, neutralise it so that it cannot bind to DNA and then facilitate the excretion of the glutathione-aflatoxin complex. (Life is Beautiful). Rooibos Tea and Cancer The ability of South African herbal teas (Rooibos and Honeybush extracts) to act as ‘chemopreventors’ in skin cancer was highlighted by a South African research team (Marnewick, et al.) using an animal model. They showed that topical (external) application of tea fractions significantly suppressed tumour growth in mice with skin cancer, when using processed and unprocessed tea. South African researchers (Van der Merwe, et al.) collaborated to compare the potential of different kinds of tea (Rooibos, Honeybush, black oolong and green tea) to suppress mutations, and thereby prevent cancer. Their results confirmed that the phenolic compounds in herbal tea extracts have a strong anti-mutagenic effect (in vitro study using cell lines). ‘In vitro’ means taking place in a test tube. Rooibos Tea and Stress Scientists at Stellenbosch University are shedding new light on the long-held belief that a cup of Rooibos helps us to relax and cope better with the stresses of daily life. A research team at the University’s biochemistry department, led by Professor Amanda Swart, has produced scientific evidence that Rooibos tea lowers the production of cortisol by the human body’s adrenal glands. Cortisol is the so-called ‘stress hormone’. Lowering cortisol levels also lowers the effect of the body’s stress response. They were also able to pinpoint two rare components in Rooibos – the two flavonoids called aspalathin and nothofagin – that contribute to this stress-lowering effect. Aspalathin has not been found in any other plant material, while nothofagin has a very limited distribution in nature. Rooibos Tea and Hypertension Rooibos tea has been shown to alleviate hypertension in some cases. The identities of the compounds in rooibos tea that are attributed to this reduction are unclear. However, a study in the December 2006 edition of European Journal of Nutrition presents the blood pressure lowering capabilities of rooibos tea extract. In addition to lowering blood pressure, rooibos tea was shown to reduce the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme in the May 2010 issue of the journal Public Health Nutrition. These results suggest that rooibos tea is good for overall cardiovascular health (Hypertension). Researchers in Pakistan (Khan & Gilani) found that chrysoeriol (a bioactive components of Rooibos, but usually only present at low levels) acted effectively as a bronchodilator, with an associated effect on lowering blood pressure and relieving spasms. Aorta, trachea and other tissue from rabbits and guinea-pigs were used to illustrate this effect. Chrysoeriol is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antitumour, antimicrobial, antiviral and free radical scavenging abilities. Rooibos Tea and Cardiovascular Disease A study by Dludla, et al. provided evidence that an aqueous extract of fermented rooibos tea protects cardiomyocytes (the cells that constitute hear muscle), derived from diabetic rats, against experimentally induced oxidative stress and ischaemia (shortage of oxygen). In a study by Pantsi, et al. the cardio-protective properties of aqueous rooibos extracts was clearly demonstrated via the inhibition of apoptosis (cell death) which can be related to the flavonol content of this unique South African herbal tea. Swedish researchers found that Rooibos tea could help to promote heart health in humans. They found that 30 and 60 minutes after drinking 400 ml of Rooibos, the activity of a specific enzyme (called angiotensin-converting enzyme, or ACE) is significantly inhibited. This enzyme is believed to be involved in the development of cardiovascular disease, and therefore ACE inhibitors are used to treat hypertension and heart disease. The research team could not demonstrate the same effect with green tea and black tea in the group of 17 healthy volunteers who participated in the study. (Persson, et al.). Rooibos Tea and Cancer, Allergy, Aids and Other Infections The findings of a study by Kunishiro, Tai & Yamamoto, suggested that Rooibos tea extract may facilitate the antigen-specific antibody production through selective augmentation of IL-2 generation both in vitro (taking place in a test tube) and in vivo (taking place in a living organism). Collectively, Rooibos tea intake may be of value in prophylaxis of the diseases involving a severe defect in Th1 immune response such as cancer, allergy, AIDS, and other infections. Rooibos Tea and Diabetes Mellitus Type II A study by Kawano, et al. suggested that aspalathin in Rooibos tea had beneficial effects on glucose homeostasis (stabilisation) in type 2 diabetes through stimulating glucose uptake in muscle tissues and insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells. A study by Uličná, et al. in the Slovak Republic (2006) found that Rooibos provides effective protection against oxidative stress in diabetic rats. These scientists recommend the use of Rooibos for the prevention and therapy of diabetic vascular (blood vessel) complications, especially to protect ocular (eye) membrane systems against peroxidation (a well-defined mechanism of cellular damage in both animals and plants that occurs in vivo during aging and in certain disease states). Rooibos Tea and Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV) In their study Nakano, Nakashima & Itoh (1997) showed that it is probable that acid polysaccharides from rooibos tea were extremely safe, and that HIV infection may be suppressed by daily intake of the alkaline extracts of rooibos tea. Rooibos Tea and Abdominal Spasm and Diarrhoea Rooibos tea has been widely used for abdominal spasm and diarrhoea for many years. It possesses a combination of dominant K(ATP) channel activation and weak Ca(++) antagonist mechanisms and hence justifies its use in hyperactive gastrointestinal disorders. (Gilani, et al.). Rooibos Tea and Obesity Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) contains a rich complement of polyphenols, including flavonoids, considered to be largely responsible for its health promoting effects, including combatting obesity. The data from a study by Sanderson, et al. showed that hot water soluble solids from fermented rooibos inhibited adipogenesis (formation of fat or fatty tissue) and affect adipocyte metabolism, suggesting its potential in preventing obesity. Rooibos Tea and Inflammatory Bowel Disease A Japanese study by Baba, et al. (2009) showed that Rooibos could reduce inflammation in rats with colitis (open sores in the colon) via increased antioxidant activity with a consequent reduction in damage to DNA caused by oxidation. These researchers recommend Rooibos as a safe and useful way to reduce oxidative stress. Rooibos Tea and Immune Function Research teams in Japan (Ichiyama, et al.) demonstrated that the active ingredients in a water-soluble fraction of Rooibos restored immune function in immune-suppressed rats. These results hold significant potential for future research into the immune-boosting properties of Rooibos that could potentially benefit people living with HIV/AIDS. Rooibos Tea and Ageing Researchers (Juráni, et al.) from the Slovak Republic were able to demonstrate the anti-ageing effect of Rooibos in Japanese quails. The birds were given Rooibos to drink and had ground Rooibos added to their food. The hens on the Rooibos diet laid more eggs and kept on laying eggs as they were getting older, compared to quail hens on a standard diet.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 07:24:20 +0000
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