Red bush tea also goes by the name rooibos tea, or the scientific name of aspalathus linearis. It's native to South Africa and has a strong flavor. The online publication Phytochemicals states that red bush tea contains no caffeine, which makes it a good choice for those who want to enjoy a cup of tea without the stimulation. Red bush tea is relaxing and provides several other benefits, due to the number of healthy plant compounds called flavonoids found in the tea.
Anti-inflammatory Benefits
Red bush tea is a powerful antioxidant, which means that it protects the body from damage inflicted by free radicals (cells that try to damage other cells). One of the ways free radicals inflict damage is by causing inflammation. According to a report from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the chemicals that are produced during the inflammatory process attack tissues and damage cells and DNA. It can also lead to cellular death, cancer and other diseases. Researchers at the Juntendo University School of Medicine in Tokyo conducted a study and found that red bush tea prevents inflammation and DNA damage due to its antioxidant properties. In the conclusion of the study, published in the March 2009 issue of Pediatrics International, the researchers said that red bush tea is safe for children because it's caffeine free and non-stimulating.
Blood Sugar Benefits
Roobios, or red bush, tea has been found to promote the regulation of blood sugar in Type 2 diabetes. The May 2009 issue of Phytomedicine reports that the tea, when tested in mice, helps maintain blood sugar levels by increasing insulin production, as well as increasing the muscles' absorption and use of sugar.
Anti-cancer Benefits
A study in the January 2009 issue of Food and Chemical Toxicology shows that red bush tea reduces the risk of cancer and damaging effects on the liver. The journal Phytotherapy Research published a review in January 2007 that said red bush tea has anti-mutagenic properties--which means it prevents cells from mutating and developing into cancer cells--and that consumption of the tea shows no adverse effects.
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