Rooibos, a popular Mzansi tea known for its many health benefits, is now being studied for its potential to help with obesity and related conditions like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. A new study is exploring how drinking rooibos might impact people in real-world settings.
Leading the research is Prof Elmarie Terblanche from Stellenbosch University’s department of exercise, sport and lifestyle medicine. She is heading a ground-breaking study to learn more about rooibos’s health benefits.
“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.”
Prof Elmarie Terblanche
The study is designed with four groups: one will drink rooibos only, another will exercise only, a third group will combine rooibos with exercise, and the last group will not make any changes.
Women in the rooibos-only and rooibos-plus-exercise groups will drink six cups of rooibos every day for eight weeks. Those in the exercise-only group will do high-intensity interval training three times a week, but won’t drink rooibos.
“Each exercise session lasts about 20 minutes, yet it’s as effective in improving cardiovascular fitness as traditional 60-minute sessions of low to moderate-intensity exercise,” notes Terblanche.
The first part of the study, which has just started, involves women aged 18 to 40. The second part, finishing by mid-2025, will focus on women over 40 who are pre-diabetic or diabetic.
Why rooibos?
Rooibos is packed with special antioxidants called polyphenols. These antioxidants have shown promise in early studies with cells and animals.
Terblanche says, “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.”
Terblanche’s team will carry out various tests to measure inflammation, glycaemic control, and cardiovascular fitness. Participants will have blood tests, body composition checks, and treadmill fitness assessments.
“We will also consider participants’ diets, as high carbohydrate intake could potentially undermine the positive effects of rooibos,” she explains. “No previous studies have accounted for diet in this way, making our research unique.”
Impact on type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease
Obesity is a major risk factor for diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, leading to insulin resistance and chronic inflammation. Traditional treatments often have side effects and can be hard to access, especially in less wealthy countries.
“Healthy eating and regular exercise are crucial in managing and preventing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many other diseases of lifestyle,” says Terblanche.
“However, many people struggle to maintain these healthy habits. Rooibos could provide a simpler, more accessible intervention.”
She is hopeful about rooibos’s potential. “If regular Rooibos consumption can offer the health benefits suggested by animal studies, it might be a viable option for those unable or unwilling to stick to strict exercise regimens. However, whether Rooibos alone can make up for a poor diet remains to be seen.”
Even with promising early evidence, long-term studies on rooibos are limited. “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 type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”
Terblanche’s study is a major step forward. By looking at both rooibos and exercise together, and considering diet, the research aims to offer new insights into how Rooibos might be used for better health.
The search for effective and accessible treatments for obesity-related conditions is ongoing. This study represents a pioneering effort to explore rooibos’s potential.
“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.”
As the study progresses, both scientists and the public will be watching closely, hopeful that this beloved South African tea might hold the key to better health.
ALSO READ: Diabetics can benefit from drinking rooibos
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