Rooibos, a popular South African herbal tea, offers a caffeine-free alternative to regular teas. It is also being recognized for its potential involvement in reducing obesity and other health conditions such as type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
In a groundbreaking study, researchers are now looking at the real-world impact of rooibos consumption on human health.
Rooibos, with its sweet and earthy flavor and deep reddish-brown color, has long been valued for its high antioxidant content. This South African tisane is caffeine-free and provides a calming alternative to coffee without the crash.
However, the benefits may go beyond simply delight. Rooibos may also improve heart health and aid with weight management.
Professor Elmarie Terblanche of Stellenbosch University’s Department of Exercise, Sport, and Lifestyle Medicine is leading this ground-breaking research. Her team is undertaking a study to see how rooibos consumption affects overweight or obese women.
“Our study aims to investigate the health effects of rooibos consumption in women who are overweight or obese. We are particularly interested in examining changes in body composition, inflammation, glycaemic control, and cardiovascular fitness,” explained Terblanche.
The study is meticulously structured, involving two distinct groups to assess the effects of different interventions:
Those in the rooibos groups will drink six cups of rooibos daily for eight weeks. Meanwhile, the exercise group will engage in supervised high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions three times a week, without consuming rooibos.
The research is divided into two phases. The first phase, which recently began, involves women aged 18 to 40. The second phase, expected to be completed by mid-2025, will focus on women over 40 who are pre-diabetic or diabetic.
When it comes to NCDs, why use rooibos?
Rooibos is packed with unique polyphenols known for their antioxidant properties. Preliminary studies using cell cultures and animal models have shown promising results regarding these compounds.
Terblanche noted: “There is substantial evidence suggesting that rooibos can improve cardiovascular and metabolic health. However, most of these studies have used rooibos extracts in concentrated capsule forms.
“Our study is the first to examine the effects of rooibos consumption – in tisane (herbal infusion) form – in humans, specifically women.”
“We’ll also look at participants’ diets, as high carb intake could reduce rooibos’ benefits,” she added.
This makes their study unique, as no previous research has considered diet in this way.
Traditional treatments often have significant side effects and can be inaccessible, especially in low-income countries. This study could offer new, healthier options for managing these conditions.
“Healthy eating and regular exercise are crucial in managing and preventing T2D, CVD, and many other diseases of lifestyle,” added Terblanche. “However, many people struggle to maintain these healthy habits. Rooibos could provide a simpler, more accessible intervention.”
Despite the promising preliminary evidence, long-term studies on the effects of rooibos in humans are scarce.
“Current research suggests a dosage of six cups per day, but this is based on short-term studies. We need more comprehensive, long-term research to determine if rooibos can be a sustainable remedy for managing T2D and CVD.”
The quest for effective, accessible treatments for obesity-related conditions like T2D and CVD is ongoing. Her study represents a pioneering effort to explore rooibos’ potential in this context.
“I’m confident about rooibos, but as researchers, we need to test it in real-world conditions. If our findings are positive, it could pave the way for more focused research and ultimately provide a natural, accessible option for improving health outcomes,” she said.
