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Rooibos tea, a caffeine-free drink made from the leaves of the local bush South AfricaIt is part of the country’s heritage.
Rooibos plant (aspalathus linear) rises in the mountainous Cederberg region of South AfricaWestern Cape Province. It is traditionally harvested by the Khoisan people and consumed as herbal tea.
In addition to making tea, this plant has also been promoted for its potential health benefits. Rooibos has scientifically proven effects as an antioxidant. It is a natural substance that helps protect your body’s cells from damage caused by harmful molecules.
this is also a anti inflammatory: substance that reduces Swelling (Redness, swelling and pain in the body). It may help protect the heart and liver, control blood sugar, and improve skin health.
Commercial cultivation of rooibos began in the early 20th century. Scientific research on its health benefits began in the 1960s, when its antioxidant properties were first reported.
Since then, many studies have explored its therapeutic potential.
I am a researcher studying South African herbal teas, specifically rooibos and honeybush (mesotropia spp.).
My latest research with colleagues shows that rooibos may provide powerful health benefits for the gut. The purpose of the study was to compare anti inflammatory and the protective effect of a non-fermented and fermented rooibos aqueous extract on intestinal porcine epithelial cells. We used pigs because their intestines are very similar to human gut cells.
We showed that rooibos extract strengthened the gut lining through its effects on protein and reduced Swelling,
These effects are important because strong barriers and controlled inflammation are essential to protect tissues such as the intestine from damage and disease.
digestive (intestinal) disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome ,ibs), constipation and indigestion (dyspepsia) affect more than 40 percent of the global population. Women are more likely to be affected (49%) than men (36.6%). These statistics reflect the need for increased awareness, better diagnosis and effective management of the problem.
gut health Health has become a major area of interest for anyone looking to improve their overall health. A growing body of evidence links poor gut health to issues like chronic inflammation, fatigue, anxiety and autoimmune disorders. And with growing interest in natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals, people are turning to diet and drinks for help.
Green and Red Rooibos and Epithelial Intestinal Cells
In our study, we explored in the laboratory how different types of rooibos tea extract affect gut cells. Our research group wanted to understand whether rooibos could protect the intestinal barrier, the microscopic wall of cells that acts as a bodyguard for your intestines.
This barrier keeps harmful substances out while allowing nutrients in. When it doesn’t function properly, a condition often known as “leaky gut,” it can contribute to digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome ,ibs), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and other chronic health problems.
About the author
Mariska Lilley is a senior researcher at Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
This article is republished from Conversation Under Creative Commons license. read the original article,
Our study focused on two forms of rooibos:
- Unfermented rooibos (green), which is less processed and retains more antioxidants
- Fermented rooibos (red), which is more common and widely consumed.
Both types of tea come from the same plant, aspalathus linearBut the way they are processed changes their chemical composition, especially their polyphenols. These are natural compounds known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The main polyphenols are called aspalathin and nothofagin, and aspalathin is unique to rooibos.
A three-year study examined the anti-inflammatory properties of rooibos extract in intestinal cells of pigs. Cells were first treated with the extract for 24 h. The extract was then removed and a bacterial toxin was added for an additional 24 hours. The response of the cells was then evaluated by measuring specific markers of inflammation, and the barrier integrity of the cells was evaluated to determine protective effects.
Inflammation and gut protection
Here’s what we discovered:
- Fermented (red) rooibos fights Swelling Best. When we triggered an inflammatory response in gut cells, as occurs during infection or flare-ups in conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, we found that fermented rooibos was particularly effective in reducing. SwellingIn fact, fermented rooibos performed the same or even better than dexamethasone, a common steroid drug used to reduce inflammation in the gut,
- Unfermented (green) rooibos strengthens the gut barrier. While fermented rooibos dealt with inflammation, it was non-fermented rooibos that best protected the gut barrier. It promoted the production of proteins that keep the barrier strong. This suggests that non-fermented rooibos may help prevent “leaky gut,” which prevents harmful substances from entering the bloodstream.
- Polyphenols may explain the differential results. We believe that various effects of teas are linked to their polyphenol content. Non-fermented rooibos contains high levels of asphalethene, a powerful antioxidant that helps maintain cell health and strengthen the barriers. Fermented rooibos contains various polyphenols, such as eriodictyol-glucosides, which combine with other natural antioxidants in the tea to help soothe and reduce inflammation.
While rooibos is already known to be rich in antioxidants, our study is the first to clearly show how different types of rooibos affect gut inflammation and the gut barrier in different ways. Understanding this could help people make better dietary choices and potentially give rooibos a role in gut-friendly treatments or functional foods.
moving forward
Our research shows that rooibos tea, both fermented and non-fermented, offers unique benefits for gut health. Fermented rooibos may reduce gut inflammation and non-fermented rooibos may help maintain a healthy gut lining.
Rooibos can be used once a day in gut health supplements, as a natural remedy for inflammatory bowel disease, or in everyday foods designed to aid digestion.
This was a laboratory-based study, so more research is needed to confirm the effects in humans. But the evidence so far is promising. And given that rooibos is safe, affordable and already widely consumed, it’s a low-risk addition to a healthy lifestyle.