For centuries, many have searched for the secret to a longer life, from quitting smoking to reducing alcohol intake, and there are many ways to help extend one’s life.
Drinking more tea is another healthy approach, especially rooibos, which helps reduce cancer risks, promotes heart health, weight loss and increases longevity.
The health benefits of rooibos include: heart health, cancer prevention, diabetes management and prevention, healthy digestion and anti-inflammation, boosting bone strength and weight loss, slowing the aging process, treating blood pressure, supporting healthy skin, fighting dandruff, and supporting kidney health.
And the Korean Medical College conducted a specialized study, and found that “rooibos” tea has a positive effect on heart health, as it helps maintain the balance of hormone levels and prevents the secretion of excessive hormones from the adrenal gland, and this also helps prevent high blood pressure.
Rooibos tea contains nothofagin and aspalathin, which are powerful chemical compounds known to calm inflammation in the blood vessels and act as a vasodilator.
The tea is also said to help prevent cancer because it contains quercetin, a phytochemical that is given in capsule form to patients suffering from cancer.
Rooibos tea promotes cell health and growth, fights free radicals, and repairs your DNA.
It can help produce antibodies that make the immune system stronger.
Rooibos is associated with health benefits due to its high levels of health-promoting antioxidants, which include aspalathin and quercetin.
Antioxidants may help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.
In a study published in the US National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, free radicals and antioxidants were investigated and how they help in overall health.
The study indicated that “when an excessive amount of free radicals cannot be eliminated gradually, their accumulation in the body generates a phenomenon called oxidative stress.
This process plays a major role in the development of chronic and degenerative diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, aging, cataracts, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.
There are many mechanisms in the human body to counteract oxidative stress, through the production of antioxidants, which are either naturally produced in situ, or provided exogenously through foods and/or supplements.
Drinking rooibos tea appears to have beneficial effects on blood pressure by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), which causes blood vessels to constrict and raise blood pressure.
The high content of flavanols in rooibos tea also supports the cardiovascular system due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as its positive effect on blood lipids, including cholesterol.
In a study of 17 people, drinking rooibos tea inhibited the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme 30-60 minutes after drinking it.
“There is also evidence that rooibos helps protect the body’s cells from oxidation,” said chemist and tea scientist, Dr Tim Bond.
Rooibos tea also contains essential bone-strengthening minerals including potassium, calcium and magnesium – which are integral to bone health. It can also help reduce the possibility of deteriorating brain function