As a caffeine-free product, a lot of people choose rooibos tea instead of sipping coffee or other herbal infusions. But, caffeine is not the only reason for this drink’s popularity. Basically, this red-colored beverage has numerous medicinal uses. Thus, it can help your body heal. At the same time, drinking this beneficial product may prevent certain ailments. To give you a clearer view, here are some of the therapeutic benefits of rooibos tea.
Medicinal Uses of Rooibos Tea
1. Helps Manage Diabetes
One of the most popular therapeutic benefits of rooibos tea is its ability to help patients with type-2 diabetes. The main reason is due to the drink’s aspalathin, a compound only found in this product. Basically, this rare antioxidant that can help balance your blood sugar levels and improve insulin resistance.
Because of these therapeutic effects, sipping rooibos tea regularly may also help prevent type-2 diabetes. Thus, people with a family history of this incurable yet manageable ailment can lower their risk by drinking this red-colored beverage.
2. Eases Digestive Problems
As you know, muscle contractions known as peristalsis occurs during digestion. Typically, this process follows an involuntary yet regular pattern. However, because of various reasons, these contractions may occur frequently, resulting in stomachache and abdominal cramps.
This is where rooibos tea’s antispasmodic effect becomes beneficial. Like ginger tea, drinking this healthful beverage will not only calm your digestive system. It can also aid in your digestion process.
3. Good for Your Heart
People with elevated blood sugar levels are not the only one that can benefit from this red-colored beverage. This herbal infusion is also a heart-friendly drink. In fact, this area is one of the most well-researched therapeutic benefits of rooibos tea.
According to studies, this healthful tea has numerous cardioprotective properties. First, one study revealed that drinking rooibos tea for six weeks can lead to reduced levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol. At the same time, the researchers also noticed a slight increase in the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or good cholesterol levels.
Second, this beverage can also help lower high blood pressure. As you know, there are various causes of hypertension. One is angiotensin II, a substance that can constrict blood vessels. When there are high levels of this compound, the heart needs to work hard to distribute blood all over the body – leading to an increase in blood pressure. Fortunately, a study revealed that rooibos tea can stop the enzyme responsible for the formation of angiotensin II, which is the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).
4. Strengthens Your Immune System
Another benefit you can gain from drinking rooibos tea is a boost in your immunity. However, unlike most herbal infusions that can only ward-off common infections like the flu or common colds, this red-beverage has the potential to prevent and treat allergies. Basically, quercetin is the compound responsible for this specific effect. To explain further, this flavonoid has the ability to block mast cells that can trigger an allergic reaction. Thus, drinking rooibos tea is a great way to prevent and fight allergies, flu, and common colds.
5. Has Cancer Preventive Properties
Lastly, this list of medicainal uses will not be complete without mentioning the drink’s numerous antioxidants such as aspalathin and quercetin.
As you know, free radicals can harm your body in several ways like causing an inflammation, premature aging, heart problems, and Alzheimer’s disease. The good news is that there are substances that can counter the free radicals, namely antioxidants. But, the therapeutic benefits of rooibos tea don’t end there. Some studies revealed that quercetin can stop cell mutations. As a result, this compound can also help prevent cancer and suppress the growth of tumors.
Take Home Message
Although drinking rooibos tea can offer numerous benefits, keep in mind that this red-colored beverage is not meant to replace your medications. In fact, it may even negatively react with your medicines. For this reason, you should always consult your doctor before taking rooibos products.
Aside from that, drinking excessive amounts of this beverage may harm your liver. Thus, it best to always practice moderation when consuming this tea and other herbal infusions.
Sources:
- Rooibos (Michigan Medicine)
- Effects on Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (NCBI)
- Effects on Cholesterol Levels (NCBI)
- Hypoglycemic Effect of Aspalathin (NCBI)
- Anti-Diarrheal and Antispasmodic Effects (Wiley)
- Quercetin for Allergies (NCBI)
- Anti-Cancer Properties (MSKCC)
