Red Rooibos Tea – Just Rooibos, or Something More?
Have you ever tried Hibiscus tea? What about Rooibos tea? Whatever your answer might be, this crimson delight is something worth trying. Red Rooibos Tea is a tisane that has two ingredients– beautiful hibiscus flower petals and strong yet delightful Rooibos Tea leaves. Being completely caffeine-free, Red Rooibos Tea gives off an incredibly smooth and gentle aroma. But apart from the sweet, delicate and earthy flavour, Red Rooibos Tea also has a lot of health benefits to offer. We are going to dive deeper into each ingredient and find out how it is good for us. Let’s begin.
Hibiscus Flower Petals
People often use hibiscus tea as a medicinal tea, despite having a great flavour profile. Traditionally, African countries use hibiscus tea to treat heart disease, decrease body temperature, and soothe a sore throat. Building upon the historical significance, modern science has also done quite a lot of research on hibiscus. This caffeine-free and calorie-free (not if you add sugar or honey) beverage offers a surfeit of health benefits.
Hibiscus may help with Weight Control
Most of us struggle with weight issues in our daily lives. Including Hibiscus in our drinks such as tea can help in controlling our body weight. Today, obesity is one of the most underrated medical conditions in our society. It is extremely dangerous and can lead to other diseases including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and some types of cancer.
Studies have shown that the extract of the Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) flower can help in weight management by regulating our body’s metabolism. Along with the right exercises, this can help you in maintaining a healthy body.
A study conducted on 36 overweight people had the participants divided into two groups- one was given hibiscus extract and the control group took a placebo. After 12 weeks, the hibiscus extract reduced their body fat, body weight, hip-to-waist ratio, and body mass index.
Another study, done on obese mice, reported a reduction in their body weight after 60 days of regular administration of hibiscus extract. Besides regular exercise and a balanced diet, hibiscus tea can prove essential in managing body weight.
Hibiscus may help control Blood Pressure
Blood pressure can be a very serious problem if ignored. Hypertension can cause severe stroke, and can even be fatal. Preventing such a disastrous condition is crucial to our health. Over time, high blood pressure can weaken the heart, increasing the risk of heart disease.
According to some results shown in a study, hibiscus is shown to reduce both systolic (SBP) and diastolic(DBP) blood pressure. In a study done with 65 people having high blood pressure, the subjects were divided into two groups. The experimental group was given hibiscus tea and the control group was given a placebo.
After 6 weeks, the people who had hibiscus tea showed a significant decrease in their systolic blood pressure, compared to the control group. Therefore hibiscus tea may help in maintaining proper blood pressure naturally, paving the way to a risk-free life.
May give you a Healthy Heart
The importance of monitoring your cholesterol levels is exponentially great. We must be extremely aware of the health choices we make while choosing what we consume in our daily lives. Hibiscus may help in lowering the fat levels in our blood. There is plenty of research on the subject to support this.
By reducing the cholesterol metabolism in our body, a study suggests that Hibiscus has pharmacological properties that may prevent cardiovascular diseases, which minimizes the risk factors, giving us a healthy heart.
In a study, 60 diabetic people were divided into two groups- one was given hibiscus tea and the other one drank black tea. After one month of regular consumption, those who drank hibiscus tea reported decreased levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.
Researchers at PubMed conducted another study with subjects suffering from metabolic syndrome. They administered a daily dose of 100 mg of hibiscus extract to the subjects, for one month. The researchers observed that the extract decreased total cholesterol and increased HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol).
Hibiscus can be an Anti-Depressant
Mental health is very serious and we often tend to ignore it. Our fast-paced lives can be stressful, and if we don’t do anything about it, we end up suffering.
Manifestly, those who suffer from a major mental illness need to consult a therapist as their top priority. According to a study, the extract of hibiscus has shown antidepressant-like properties. Also, it did not have any sedative properties, that modern antidepressants usually have.
Hibiscus is Anti-Diabetic
Diabetes is a chronic disease that destroys so many lives every day. The life of a diabetic person can be very troublesome, and therefore a refreshing drink that may relieve some of those problems can help a lot! As per research, the powder of the hibiscus flower can reduce glucose levels and improve lipid profile in our body, therefore it may improve the condition of some diabetic patients.
Hibiscus is also Antipyretic
Fevers and coughs are two of the most common ailments that almost anyone can contract these days. While taking an antibiotic seems like the best solution, but taking medicines regularly is not good for our bodies. We must incorporate healthy food choices into our lifestyles to prevent them from happening in the first place.
According to a study, the Hibiscus flowers have properties shown to help in bronchitis and relieve fevers and coughs. So next time you catch a fever, making a nice beverage containing Hibiscus just might help you get through it.
Hibiscus is Full of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that are very essential to our bodies. They protect us from the cellular damage caused by free radicals, which often leads to oxidative stress. If not controlled, it paves the way for chronic diseases such as heart conditions, diabetes, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. Oxidative stress also contributes to faster ageing.
Hibiscus tea is rich in powerful antioxidants, therefore it helps prevent the damage and diseases that the free radicals can cause. There are many other studies to find more about the antioxidant activity of hibiscus. Scientists in a study used hibiscus extract on rats to examine its antioxidant activity. They observed that the extract increased the number of antioxidant enzymes and reduced the damage caused by free radicals by up to 92%.
Another study conducted on rats delivered similar results. It was found that different parts of the hibiscus plant, such as the leaves, possess potent antioxidant properties. There is still a lot of room for human-based research done on hibiscus.
Hibiscus May Promote Liver Health
Needless to say, the liver is one of the most crucial organs of the human body. It secretes bile juice, excretes waste products, and metabolizes fats, proteins, and carbohydrates. Maintaining proper liver health is very important, and studies suggest that hibiscus may help keep it working efficiently.
A study conducted on overweight people revealed that administering hibiscus extract for 12 weeks improved their liver steatosis, a medical term for fatty liver disease. If not treated, the extreme buildup of fat can lead to liver failure.
Another study, conducted on hamsters, revealed that hibiscus extract prevented potential damage-causing markers in the liver. This reduction of liver damage markers indicates the protective nature of the hibiscus flower.
In another study, the administration of hibiscus extract in rats resulted in a 65% increase in the drug-detoxifying enzymes that are present in the liver. Having hibiscus tea regularly could protect your liver against fatty liver disease and detoxify it as well.
May Help Prevent Cancer
Cancer is a leading cause of death. The uncontrollable division of cancer cells can result in tumours and damage to the immune system that can be fatal. The best way to deal with it is to try and prevent it. Hibiscus contains compounds such as polyphenols, that are helpful in the prevention of cancer.
Many lab studies have examined the potential effect of hibiscus extract on cancer cells. In a test-tube study, scientists suggested that hibiscus extract showed the ability to reduce the motility and invasiveness of two different types of cancers.
Another study revealed that hibiscus leaf extract helped prevent the spreading of prostate cancer cells in humans. Hibiscus extract has shown the ability to inhibit the growth of stomach cancer cells by almost 52% in other studies. (1)
Let’s move on to our other ingredient– Rooibos Tea.
What is South African Rooibos?
Rooibos belongs to the Fabaceae family of plants. It grows in South Africa, and the name ‘Rooibos’ means “red bush”. The leaves of the Rooibos plant are used in making herbal teas. Rooibos tea has gained international popularity since the 2000s, and now everyone is enjoying the earthy, nutty taste and the warm woody notes in its aroma.
What makes Rooibos tea Special?
Widely known across the world, the South African Rooibos tea possesses various health benefits. It is also available as South African Rooibos Tea Bags.
Rooibos helps in Weight loss
Many of us struggle with weight issues. In India, abdominal obesity is one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVDs). The problem is serious, and we must act upon it ASAP. But how do we do that? Well, the best way is to combat it naturally- that is, by having a proper diet and regular exercise. Rooibos can help here.
Research has suggested that Rooibos tea may help in managing weight issues. Rooibos tea contains a rich complement of polyphenols, including flavonoids, which directly affect the ability to combat obesity. A study showed that Rooibos tea in soluble form inhibited the process called adipogenesis (formation of fat or fatty tissue). It also affected and improved metabolism.
So, just by sipping tea, you would be taking care of your weight and having a great time as well.
Rooibos Tea helps in reducing Insomnia
Caffeine might help you stay alert, attentive, and energetic throughout the day, but an excess of it can have a bad effect on your sleep and your health in general. Completely free of caffeine, Rooibos tea helps to put you to sleep- making it an excellent alternative to coffee.
Apart from zero caffeine, Rooibos tea also has a low amount of Tannins, a compound that interferes with the absorption of certain nutrients, such as iron. This is even more useful in treating insomnia and having a good night’s sleep.
Rooibos Tea helps relieve Headaches
Headaches are just plain annoying. The worst part is, we can’t just be popping pills all the time, as that’s not healthy in the long run. A natural way of dealing with headaches is consuming Rooibos. Apart from the other health benefits associated with Rooibos tea, its ability to soothe headaches often goes unnoticed. You can enjoy this caffeine-free beverage before sleep without hindering the quality of your sleep at all.
Having a cup of Rooibos tea before sleep helps you relax and relieves all the built-up tension you might have. By normalizing your sleeping patterns, Rooibos prevents any potential headaches or irritability caused by sleeplessness.
South African Rooibos Tea may boost your Immune System
Our immune system is like the backbone of our health- apart from the actual backbone, which is also the backbone of our health (sorry for the bad attempt at humour). Therefore, the best way of preventing diseases and being healthy in general is to boost our immune system naturally. Research has suggested that Rooibos tea may help in improving the immune system of your body.
In a Japanese study conducted in immune-suppressed rats, researchers found that introducing a water-soluble fraction of Rooibos tea restored the immune function of the rats. The researchers also indicated that these properties might hold significant potential for future research into the immune-boosting properties of Rooibos tea. Maybe there’s more to it than meets the eye?
Rooibos tea has a lot of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are compounds that help protect our bodies from the cellular damage caused by free radicals. These are harmful molecules that might cause oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress can lead to several chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Foods rich in antioxidants are very useful in preventing chronic diseases caused by oxidative stress. As mentioned above, oxidative stress is a medical condition. The free radicals that damage our skin can result in oxidative stress.
Apart from preventing oxidative stress, the long-term benefits of antioxidants may include the prevention of major ailments such as heart disease.
In a study with 15 people as subjects, red and green variants of Rooibos tea increased the blood levels of antioxidants by 2.9% and 6.6% respectively.
Rooibos is a great anti-Inflammation agent
Inflammation is a protection mechanism of our body, which activates when we are injured. This process can be harmful if it does not stop for a long time. In tests done in test tubes and on living beings, Rooibos has shown anti-inflammatory properties.
Rooibos tea may have anti-inflammatory properties that are beneficial for our health.
A Japanese study done on rats with colitis (open sores in the colon) indicated that Rooibos tea could reduce inflammation via increased antioxidant activity. Rooibos tea is recommended as a safe and useful way to reduce oxidative stress, reducing the damage caused to the DNA by oxidation. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Rooibos are interlinked.
Red Rooibos is also anti-Diabetic
Living with diabetes can be very difficult. Your food options are limited, and you always have to keep the right foods with you. Well, you don’t have to worry about Rooibos. In fact, Rooibos is actually helpful in this scenario.
The antioxidant called aspalathin has significant antidiabetic activity. Rooibos tea is the only natural source of aspalathin. A study suggested that Rooibos tea affected glucose homeostasis in type 2 diabetes. By stimulating glucose uptake in muscle tissues and insulin secretion from pancreatic beta-cells, it could benefit type 2 diabetics. Another study found that Rooibos provides effective protection against oxidative stress in diabetic rats.
Next time you sit with your diabetic friends, you won’t have to make a separate drink for them. You can all enjoy a cup of Rooibos.
A Red Rush of Health
With the combined goodness of Hibiscus flower petals and Rooibos tea, Red Rooibos Tea becomes a must-try for anyone who aspires to lead a healthy lifestyle. All these benefits are backed by reliable sources and years of research. So you can be carefree while shopping at Ono Teas. Go crazy!
If you have tried Full Petal Hibiscus or South African Rooibos, you will definitely enjoy Red Rooibos Tea (If you haven’t, then what’s the hold-up?). Of course, if you’re new, you can always try the trial pack, or if you trust us, you can take that leap of faith and order the 30-day pack. Check out other teas from our amazing range– I’m sure you’ll find Masala Tea really fascinating.
If you want to explore more teas, here’s another blog for you– Make Way For Minty Oolong. Happy shopping and cheers to your health!