Rooibos tea is low in tannins and free from caffeine and oxalic acid. Caffeinated drinks such as coffees have side effects such as hear palpitations, increased anxiety, sleep problems and headaches, so if you don’t avoid caffeine, limit your daily intake.  Rooibos tea is a excellent alternative to black or green teas or coffee.  Tannins such as found in black and green teas, when consumed regularly, interfere with the absorption of certain nutrients, such as iron.  Also Rooibos has no oxalic acid as found with black and green teas.  Consuming oxalic acid increases your risk of kidney stones, which Rooibos tea is a great alternative drink.

Rooibos is full of Antioxidants.  High levels of antioxidants which include aspalathin an quercetin.  Antioxidants may help protect cells from damage by free radicals.  Consuming Rooibos tea over a long time, may reduce your risk of illnesses, such as heart disease and cancers. In a small study, blood levels of antioxidants increased by 2.9% with red rooibos tea and 6.6% with green rooibos teas. 

Rooibos may help with a healthier heart by its effects on blood pressure.  There is more evidence that rooibos can improve cholesterol levels.  In a study of overweight adults at high risk of heart disease, 6 cups of rooibos tea daily for 6 weeks decreased bad LDL cholesterol while increasing good HDL cholesterol.

Rooibos tea may help with Type 2 Diabetes. As found in studies of animals with type 2 diabetes.  The tea helps control blood sugars. But as a naturally sweeter flavor, there really is no need to be adding any sweeteners, no sugar to enjoy a wonderful tea.

Rooibos tea is naturally sweeter than other teas, it doesn’t get bitter like regular tea does. However, if you want it a little sweeter, start off light, you can always add more.  Try with natural unprocessed sugar, different types of sugar like coconut, or honey.  To sweeten iced rooibos tea, use simple syrup as it mixes well with cold tea.  You can brew Rooibos tea and keep it in the fridge for 4 days.  Do not rewarm rooibos tea in the microwave, it destroys the benefits in the tea.  Simply rewarm it on the stove.  You can also rebrew the loose-leaf rooibos teas twice without going bitter.

Did you know Rooibos tea reduces fat & increases metabolism as well as helping block fat cells.  Drinking rooibos tea several times a day will help reduce fat, especially belly fat.  Drinking a cup of rooibos tea contains only 2-4 calories (without added sweetener, usually not needed as this tea is already naturally sweeter).

Rooibos improves appearance of skin. Rooibos tea contains zinc, which is known to help treat common skin conditions such as eczema and acne.  It also helps reduce fine lines and wrinkles as it contains alpha hydroxy acid.  It also helps slow down the appearance of wrinkles.  Drinking 1-2 cups of rooibos tea a day, can keep skin looking youthful.

Did you know that rooibos tea is good for your health?  It also relieves allergy symptoms, soothes irritated skin, calms stomach cramping.  It’s vast supply of antioxidants helps slow the aging and boost your immune system including helping fight against cancer.  This tea contains no oxalic acid, making it the best tea for those prone to kidney stones. Rooibos tea works as an antihistamine, without the drowsy side effects that come along with many medications.  Drinking 1-2 cups a day helps your bodies over reactive immune response that triggers allergies.

Who should not be drinking rooibos teas?   People with estrogen-sensitive cancer such as breast cancer.

So all I do know, is it’s a wonderful tea, and I enjoy it as often as I can, several times a day, all year around.  I hope you give it a try.  Whether you enjoy it with a little natural sugar or honey, with some milk or just plain, I know you’ll enjoy it.  So the next question would be, which is your favorite flavor blend?  I’m offering dozens of flavors.  I personally have several favorites.  Would love to hear from you in our comments at the bottom of our websites front page.  GourmetVanillaSpice.com

(Photo is of Rooibos grown in South Africa)