Rooibos Tea reaches heights of popularity due to health benefits!
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The herbal tea called rooibos (pronounced ROY-boss), also sometimes referred to as "red tea", has become quite popular in recent times due to its being marketed as a beverage possessing numerous health benefits due to its high levels of anti-oxidants.
The Rooibos plant (Aspalathus linearis (Burm. f.) Dahlgren, Fabaceae) is a South African flowering shrub used to make a mild-tasting tea that has no caffeine, very little tannin, and significant amounts of polyphenol anti-oxidants. Rooibos tea has been enjoyed in South Africa for generations, and has been produced in the Cedarberg mountain region of South Africa. |
International demand for rooibos has been increasing since trade sanctions against South Africa were lifted following the demise of apartheid in the 1990s.
Rooibos tea health benefits are derived from several of the polyphenol anti-oxidants, called 'flavonoids', which combat the proliferation of so-called free radicals that damage the DNA in cells. Free radicals running amuck in one's system can lead to cancer. They can oxidize cholesterol and lead to clogged blood vessels, heart attack, and stroke.
Anti-oxidants from rooibos tea can bind to free radicals before the free radicals cause harm.
A recent analysis of fermented rooibos measured the levels of all the flavonoids listed above except nothofagin. Of the 10 flavonoids measured, the three that occurred in largest amounts were aspalathin, rutin, and orientin, followed by isoorientin and isoquercitrin. Nothofagin was identified by mass spectrometry but was not quantified because a standard was not available.
The amount of nothofagin in fermented and unfermented rooibos was estimated to be about three times less than aspalathin in one study. Aspalathin and nothofagin arepresent in relatively large amounts in unfermented rooibos tea, but some of the aspalathin and nothofagin oxidizes to other substancesduring fermentation; thus, fermented rooibos contains less aspalathin and nothofagin than unfermented rooibos. The change in polyphenol composition is the reason the tea changes color with fermentation.
Currently, rooibos is the only known natural source of aspalathin. Nothofagin is similar in structure to aspalathin and has only been identified in one other natural source besides rooibos: the heartwood of the red beech tree which is native to New Zealand. |
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Rooibos Tea Benefits Trivia:
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Rooibos tea contains an abundance of the antioxidant enzyme called Superoxide Dismutase or SOD. It is said that rooibos tea contains much more of this substance than green tea. It is believed to be potent in preventing oxidative damage to cells, hence a potentially powerful ally in the fight against cancer.
Rooibos Tea is one of the major teas grouped under the term "Red Tea". In fact, its name comes is the Afrikaan word for "red bush". Another popular type of red tea is Honeybush Tea and like rooibos, comes from South Africa where it has been drunk by its inhabitants. It also packed with many of the antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that rooibos tea has.
Rooibos Tea is replete with flavonoid antioxidants that has shown to help inhibit an enzyme that seems to initiate diabetes complications. It is also believed to have some effect in controlling blood sugar levels. Find here a list of teas that may be used against diabetes.
Rooibos tea is said to be quite rich in the mineral zinc. Zinc plays an important role in regulating the body's immune system. As such, zinc is necessary to help the body ward off viruses that bring in diseases and ailments.
Rooibos tea is naturally sweet to the taste. Many thus find it pleasant to drink in its natural state. However, should you find it necessary to add a little bit of sweetener, use honey or stevia instead. Stevia leaves have substantial sucrose content and has been used as a natural sweetener for centuries. Stevia can also be made into a tea and have several health benefits of its own.
Rooibos tea is rich in thiamine. It is a water-soluble vitamin that the body uses to utilize carbohydrates as an energy source. As such, many say that rooibos tea is a natural 'sports drink' as it may have the ability to provide tremendous amounts of energy to active people.
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