Herbal teas come handy when it comes to shedding those extra pounds. Green tea has been known to help, and rooibos tea has been gaining popularity recently not only because of its delicious taste but also for its weight loss benefits.
Rooibos tea, otherwise known as red tea or red bush tea, has long existed in the western coast of South Africa. It is made from the leaves of a shrub called Aspalathus linearis through fermentation, which results in the traditional red-brown colored rooibos tea.
Health experts recommend drinking rooibos tea if you want to lose weight but dread the palpitations, sleep problems, and headaches that usually come with a caffeinated drink like green tea. Drinking a cup of this tea early in the morning supposedly helps the body's metabolism to work efficiently.
According to Healthline, rooibos tea contains fat-burning properties that promote weight loss when consumed regularly. A result of a test-tube study revealed that it helps increase fat metabolism and blocks the formation of fat cells. It aids in body weight reduction and normalization of hormone levels.
It is caffeine-free, which makes it the best alternative to green tea. Rooibos tea is also low in tannis and has no oxalic acid. Tannis interferes with the body's absorption of iron while consumption of oxalic acid can lead to kidney stones.
New York-based nutritionist Regina Fazzini recommends rooibos tea because it is naturally sweet. It does not need extra sweeteners, which helps avoid the added calories that could add to your weight.
"Rooibos tea is great for those looking to lose weight because it's low in calories. A cup has about 2 calories, which means you don't have to worry about any extra calories being stored as fat."
Aside from its weight loss benefits, rooibos tea is known to contain anti-oxidants that boost the immune system and protects the body against heart disease, cancer, and stroke. It has dihydrochalcones, polyphenols, and flavonols, which lowers the risk of heart disease. These compounds are famous for their antiviral, antimutagenic, and anti-inflammatory qualities.
Rooibos tea also packs calcium and manganese that promote healthy bones and strong teeth. It has the anti-diabetic antioxidant Aspalathin, which helps balance blood sugar and boosts insulin secretion and resistance.
Best of all, drinking rooibos tea not only helps you lose weight. It also improves your skin. It has zinc and alpha hydroxy acid that reduce the signs of aging.
