Traditionally, rooibos tea is made by fermenting the leaves of Aspalathus linearis. The process of fermentation turns the leaves reddish-brown (1). The unfermented variety of rooibos tea is called green rooibos. It has higher antioxidant content than the red one and is more expensive. Rooibos tea is available in plain and flavored varieties. Red rooibos tea has a smooth, fruity-sweet, earthy flavor and can be consumed as a hot or cold beverage. The unfermented rooibos tea has a slightly astringent flavor. Overall, it is milder than black and green teas. Rooibos tea is graded based on many factors like color, flavor, and cut length. The highest grade of rooibos tea is called the ‘super grade.’ Due to its mild taste, rooibos tea is often added to multi-blend herbal tea concoctions. It is also rich in several different antioxidants, such as flavonoids. Let’s take a look at the major flavonoids in this tea.
Chemical Composition Of Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea is caffeine-free and low in tannins compared to the tea from other tea plants, such Camellia sinensis. It mainly contains (2):
Tannins (3.2-4.4%, which is less than regular tea) Monomeric flavonoids (aspalathin and aspalalinin) Other flavonoids like beta-D-glucopyranosides, dihydro-orientin, dihydroiso-orientin Flavonols like quercetin, quercetin-3-orobinoside, hyperoside, isoquercitrin and rutin Phenolic acids Lignans Coumarin Esculentin Vitamin C (ascorbate)
All these phenolic compounds and antioxidants make rooibos tea an excellent free radical scavenger with anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and tumor inhibitory effects (2). Here are the health benefits of drinking rooibos tea.
Health Benefits Of Rooibos Tea
1. Is Caffeine-Free
Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in many varieties of tea and coffee. While moderate caffeine consumption is safe, excessive consumption of caffeine has been linked to sleep disorders, increased anxiety, restlessness, and headaches (3). Rooibos tea is naturally caffeine-free, making it a great alternative to black and green teas.
2. Is Antioxidant-Rich
Due to its high antioxidant content, rooibos tea helps prevent free radical damage, the primary cause of inflammation, cell damage, and premature aging. The antioxidants in rooibos tea may also have anticancer and antitumor effects (2).
3. May Promote Heart Health
The antioxidant-rich rooibos tea has been associated with improved heart health. Studies show that rooibos tea helps reduce LDL or bad cholesterol and improve HDL or good cholesterol (4). This reduces the risk of heart disease.
4. May Help Manage Diabetes
Drinking rooibos tea may benefit people with diabetes mellitus. Rooibos tea is a natural source of the antioxidant aspalathin, a chemical known for its anti-diabetic effect. It balances blood sugar levels and reduces insulin resistance (5), (6). While rooibos tea has multiple health benefits, it may also cause side effects.
Are There Side Effects Of Consuming Rooibos Tea?
Rooibos tea is safe to consume, and side effects are rare. However, there have been reports of an extremely rare case of hepatotoxicity (liver injury) caused by consuming rooibos tea and buchu (a herbal preparation). While the exact mechanism was unknown, researchers believed that it could be due to the heterogeneous composition of the tea prepared in small batches (7 ). Rooibos tea may interact with medications for chronic conditions like hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and dyslipidemia (high or low blood lipid levels) (8 ). Hence, it is best to consult with your doctor before consuming rooibos tea. If you do not have any underlying health condition and want to consume rooibos tea, check out the process below.
How To Brew Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea is versatile and can be enjoyed both hot and chilled. This makes it very similar to black tea. The best way to brew the tea is to follow the instructions on the pack. You can simply boil the tea leaves in a cup of water (just like regular tea) and drink it. You may add honey, milk, or sugar if you want. You can also prepare iced tea. Here is a simple recipe:
Rooibos Iced Tea Recipe
You Will Need
6 tea bags or 6 teaspoons of rooibos tea 1 lemon (sliced) 20 mint leaves Sugar (as per taste) 4 liters of water
Method Is rooibos healthier than green tea? Both rooibos and green tea are healthy and rich in antioxidants. However, though green teas contain more antioxidants than rooibos, rooibos has two particular antioxidants which are highly beneficial for cardiovascular health that are not present in green tea. Additionally, rooibos tea does not contain caffeine, which is available in some quantities in green tea. Is rooibos good for hair? Yes, rooibos contains certain minerals essential for hair growth and hair health, such as zinc, copper, calcium, and potassium. The tea also contains antioxidants which may also contribute to hair health and protect it against damage from oxidative stress. Does rooibos tea increase estrogen? Yes, rooibos tea may raise estrogen levels as it is known to express estrogenic activity in the body. Individuals at a higher risk of breast cancer should consult with their healthcare provider before consuming rooibos tea. Is rooibos tea good for lungs? Yes, rooibos tea may act as a bronchodilator and help open up the airways, increasing airflow to the lungs. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which may help relieve congestion.
