Rooibos tea is a refreshing hot or cold beverage made from the leaves and stems of the rooibos bush, a shrub native to South Africa. Rooibos tea is considered a healthy tea. The mild, fruity tea is caffeine free and low in tannins, so it's attractive to individuals limiting their intake of these substances. South Africans use rooibos tea as a remedy for colic, upset stomach and allergies. The high level of antioxidants in the tea help repair cellular damage that may lead to cancer and heart disease. Consult your doctor before trying to prevent, treat or cure any condition with herbs.
Rooibos Tea Basics
Rooibos tea is an herbal tea, since it comes from the Aspalathus linearis plant and not the Camellia sinensis, or tea, plant. The leaves and stems of the rooibos bush, or red bush, are picked and dried to make green rooibos tea or oxidized before drying for red rooibos tea. Green rooibos tea has a golden brown color and mild flavor, while red rooibos tea has a red color and a stronger, fruitier flavor. Green and red rooibos tea are available plain, flavored or mixed with other herbs.
Tannins and Caffeine
Rooibos tea contains only 4.4 percent tannins. Because it is low in tannins, rooibos tea doesn't taste astringent or bitter, even after steeping for extended time. There are health benefits from low tannins too. Tannins are associated with reduced iron absorption and digestive problems in some people, according to the Vegetarian Nutrition website. Rooibos tea is caffeine free, so it is a good choice for people seeking to avoid the stimulant effects and drug interactions associated with caffeine use.
Nutritional Overview
Rooibos tea does not contain any calories, fat, carbohydrates or protein. It does not offer significant amounts of any vitamins. However, rooibos tea contains a significant amount of fluoride and copper and trace amounts of several other minerals. A serving of rooibos tea offers 7.8 percent of the recommended daily value of copper, 5.5 percent of the daily value of fluoride for men and 7.3 percent of the daily value of fluoride for women. Many people drink the naturally sweet-tasting tea plain, but you may wish to add milk or a sweetener. Stirring in a cup of 1 percent milk adds 110 calories, 13 g carbohydrates, 8 g protein and 2.5 g fat. Adding 1 tbsp. of sugar contributes 35 calories and 1 g carbohydrates.
Health Benefits
South Africans use rooibos tea as a folk remedy for a variety of conditions, including colic, respiratory conditions and digestive problems, but few studies exist to verify the tea's effectiveness. Most of the research into the health benefits of rooibos tea comes from in vitro and animal experiments. Studies cited by medical writer Ray Sahelian, M.D., suggest rooibos tea may confer protection against liver damage, inhibit tumor growth and reduce age-related central nervous system damage, A cup of rooibos tea contains 60 to 80 mg of polyphenols per serving. according to the American Botanical Council. The specific antioxidants in rooibos are different from those in tea, so the health benefits of rooibos aren't necessarily comparable. However, studies indicate rooibos tea has antioxidant and antimutagenic activity. In general, antioxidants help protect against free radical damage responsible for cancer, stroke and heart disease.
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