Rooibos Tea: New Research Documents Antioxidant and Anticancer Properties

Antioxidants are hot topics in the health news these days, and now another tea is being marketed for its high antioxidant content as well as for its mild, sweet taste. Rooibos, pronounced ROY-boss, is a South African herb used to make a tea that is naturally caffeine-free, low in tannin, and rich in polyphenol antioxidants. Although the tea is new to the American market, it has been made in the Cedarberg mountain region of South Africa for generations. Recent studies have shown that some of the antioxidants found in rooibos tea may protect against cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Distributors are promoting the tea for all kinds of health benefits. What’s the evidence for these claims?