summarise "Rooibos tea contains vital minerals including calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc and alpha hydroxyl acid. As with most true teas and herbal teas, it also contains high levels of vitamin C along with powerful antioxidants such as aspalathin that offer extensive health benefits. Rooibos tea contains polyphenols that help to fight free radicals, keeping your body healthy and ready to tackle the day.


Health Benefits of Rooibos Tea
1. Aids Weight Loss
Like green tea and black tea, drinking rooibos tea is a good way to enjoy a delicious beverage without packing on the pounds. Each cup of rooibos tea contains only 2 to 4 calories, so you can drink this delightfully smoky beverage without worrying about ruining your diet. Keep in mind that adding sugar, honey or other sweeteners can rack up the calorie count, so keep additions to a minimum if your goal is to lose weight.

2. Improves Appearance of Skin
Rooibos tea contains alpha hydroxy acid, which is one of the main ingredients in skin treatments such as chemical peels that you can get at your dermatologist’s office. Not particularly common in foods, alpha hydroxy acid in rooibos tea can aid in your skin care routine and help to reduce wrinkles.

In a 28-day clinical study, a formula of tea and rooibos demonstrated almost a 10 percent improvement in the look of fine lines and wrinkles. Rooibos tea offers a soothing effect, thereby reducing irritation and redness resulting in more even-toned skin. Rooibos tea also contains zinc, which has shown potential to help treat common skin conditions such as eczema and acne (1).  

Rooibos tea contains superoxide dismutase, which has anti-aging properties and helps to slow down the development of wrinkles. This enzyme works to produce healthy skin cells that keep you looking young longer. It also works alongside other antioxidants in rooibos tea to fight free radicals that can accelerate the aging process. While more research is needed, there is evidence that drinking a cup or two of rooibos tea per day can keep skin looking even and youthful.

3. Alleviates Pain
Rooibos tea contains antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce inflammation and feelings of aches and pains. The anti-spasmodic compounds in rooibos tea can also help to alleviate abdominal pain such as stomach cramps by activating potassium ions throughout the body (2).

By reducing inflammation, rooibos tea can aid in treating the painful symptoms of arthritis. Rooibos tea is high in vitamin C, which further helps to repair collagen and connective tissue in the joints.

4. Allergies
This South African brew contains a bioactive flavonoid known as chrysoeriol, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Working as a bronchodilator, rooibos tea can help relieve the feelings of wheezing and coughing caused by allergic rhinitis and asthma (3).

Another flavonoid called Quercetin helps to prevent allergies from being triggered in the first place. Quercetin essentially blocks mast cells, which are responsible for releasing histamine, the main element that triggers an allergic response (4).

In essence, rooibos tea works as an antihistamine, without the drowsy side effects that come along with many of similar medications. While not a replacement for advanced allergy treatments such an inhaled corticosteroids and high doses of antihistamines, drinking a few cups of rooibos tea every day can limit your body's over-reactive immune response that triggers allergies.

5. Helps Build Strong Bones
Like true teas and many herbal tisanes, rooibos tea contains minerals such as calcium, manganese and fluoride that help build strong bones. These minerals produce increased activity in osteoblast calls, which are responsible for building strong bone mass (5).

While many teas contain these essential minerals that help protect healthy bones and prevent diseases such as osteoporosis and arthritis, rooibos contains two other compounds that are even more beneficial to bone health. The flavonoids luteolin and orientin, contained in rooibos, have been shown to have the potential to increase mineral content in bones (6).

6. Streamlines Digestion
Many Americans struggle with digestive problems. The increasing incidence of illnesses such as Celiac disease, acid reflux and chronic upset stomach shows no signs of stopping. While many digestive problems can be attributed to a poor diet high in processed foods, there is increasing support for the potential digestive benefits of drinking tea.   

Rooibos tea contains several nutrients that are antispasmodic, which help to prevent stomach pains. A study published in the Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology Journal shows that compounds such as quercetin, orientin and vitexin helped to relax the digestive system and relieve feelings of discomfort. This same study demonstrates that tannins in rooibos tea have the potential to reduce symptoms of diarrhea (7).

Rooibos tea also has beneficial effects for the immune system. It's chock-full of vitamins and minerals that help support immune function and fend off invading pathogens that can make you sick. Rooibos may be effective in eliminating pathogens that cause stomach upset and diarrhea.

7. May Help Control or Prevent Diabetes
Drinking rooibos tea may help to keep diabetes in check or to prevent the onset of Type 2 Diabetes. A 2013 Tokyo animal study showed that polyphenols in rooibos tea work to regulate blood sugar levels and increase glucose tolerance in diabetic mice. Even though rooibos tea won't cure diabetes, it may help decrease insulin resistance and improve symptoms when consumed regularly (8).

Specifically, the polyphenol aspalathin works to increase glucose uptake and suppresses the increase in fasting glucose levels that can lead to blood sugar spikes in diabetic individuals. The mice in this study were given aspalathin in levels similar to those present in rooibos tea for five weeks. The mice were also shown to have lower levels of expression in genes that have been connected to hereditary risks of diabetes.

8. Supports Heart Health
Rooibos tea is excellent for heart health and helps to keep blood circulation pumping smoothly. Containing the chrysoeriol flavonoid that is a bronchodilator, this compound is also an effective agent for lowering high blood pressure and increasing circulation. The relaxing effects of rooibos tea help to open up blood vessels while antioxidants work to lower bad cholesterol and prevent plaque buildup.

A 2015 Korean study found that the aspalathin that is credited with regulating symptoms of diabetes could also prevent dangerous illnesses such as cardiovascular disease and heart attacks. Aspalathin works to reduce the risk of hypertension through hormone regulation. This polyphenol can also help to prevent vascular inflammation that can restrict blood flow to the heart (9)."