Red tea, known as rooibos, comes from an African plant in the legume family. A traditional beverage in southern Africa, red tea has become popular throughout the world in recent years. Consumed both hot and cold, red tea offers a variety of health benefits and may assist with lowering your cholesterol levels.
Polyphenols
Rooibos tea contains high levels of polyphenol antioxidants and possesses anti-cancer and cholesterol-lowering properties, according to a study published in the July 2011 issue of the journal "Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry." Rooibos is also low in tannins, bitter-tasting compounds found in green and black teas. The study identified 55 different polyphenol compounds in rooibos.
Oxidized Cholesterol
Rooibos contains several antioxidants rarely found in food sources, including dihydrochalcones -- compounds related to naringen, an antioxidant found in grapefruit that has cholesterol-lowering properties, aspalathin and nothofagin, according to a study published in the January 2007 issue of the journal "Phytotherapy Research." Antioxidants prevent the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein, LDL, the bad form of cholesterol, an important initiating step in the process of atherosclerotic plaque formation, and are a key component of a natural cholesterol-lowering program. Researchers recommend rooibos for its antioxidant, immune-boosting and cancer-preventive benefits and note that no adverse effects of rooibos tea have been reported.
Cholesterol and Obesity
A study published in the March 2011 issue of the journal "Phytomedicine" found that rooibos extract reduced cholesterol levels in laboratory animals. In the study, continuous administration of rooibos resulted in significant decreases in total cholesterol, triglycerides and free fatty acids. Rooibos also decreased the size of fat cells and prevented fatty deposits from accumulating in the liver. Researchers conclude that diets high in polyphenol antioxidants may be beneficial in managing metabolic diseases such as elevated cholesterol and obesity. Further human clinical trials are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
Liver Protection
Researchers demonstrated liver-protective properties of rooibos in a study published in the 2003 issue of the journal "Physiological Research." In the laboratory animal study, reversed fat deposits and symptoms of cirrhosis. Decreased levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and malondialdehyde, a toxic byproduct of cholesterol oxidation, were observed. Rooibos also lowered levels of liver enzymes, which when elevated indicate stress on the liver. Researchers recommend rooibos as a natural liver-protecting substance that can be easily incorporated as part of the diet for patients with liver conditions. Further human trials are warranted to confirm the promising results of this preliminary animal study.
References
- "Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry"; Identification of Phenolic Compounds in Aqueous and Ethanolic Rooibos Extracts (Aspalathus Linearis) by Hplc-esi-ms (Tof/It); I. Iswaldi, et al.; July 2011
- "Phytotherapy Research"; A Review of the Bioactivity of South African Herbal Teas: Rooibos (Aspalathus Linearis) and Honeybush (Cyclopia Intermedia); D. Mckay, et al.; January 2007
- "Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry"; Naringin, the Major Grapefruit Flavonoid, Specifically Affects Atherosclerosis Development in Diet-induced Hypercholesterolemia in Mice; A. Chanet, et al.; June 2011
- "Phytomedicine"; Continuous Administration of Polyphenols from Aqueous Rooibos (Aspalathus Linearis) Extract Ameliorates Dietary-induced Metabolic Disturbances in Hyperlipidemic Mice; R. Beltrán-Debón, et al.; March 2011
- "Physiological Research"; Hepatoprotective Effect of Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus Linearis) on Ccl4-induced Liver Damage in Rats; O. Ulicná, et al.; 2003
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