Between social media and the news, we are a flooded with a mix of maybe’s and guestimates, while advice, activities to keep busy, and recipes abound. Even our email greetings have changed from ‘Keep well’ and ‘Kind regards’ to ‘Stay safe’. How do we stay safe?
The one consistent message is this: Now, more than ever, it is important to stay hydrated and boost your immune system. Underlying all this, are the inevitable stress and anxiety that we experience on so many levels. So, let’s talk Carmién Tea and its contribution to our wellbeing.
6 cups of Carmién rooibos a day can make this difference:
- Hydration. It is hydrating which ensures all our body functions run efficiently. It boosts our immune system as it is high in antioxidants (polyphenols), which fight the free radicals (oxidants) that weakens our immune system. A weakened immune system places us at a higher risk of catching any virus. Good hydration aids the flow of nutrients and oxygen throughout the body and also helps the body maintain healthy blood levels. Hydration keeps our joints lubricated and helps reduce joint pain and stiffness, also preventing muscle fatigue and maintaining muscle movement. Rooibos is naturally anti-inflammatory which helps decrease inflammation of the joints.Polyphenols are antioxidants which have been linked through in vivo and epidemiological studies with positive health outcomes and are needed by humans to achieve a full lifespan by reducing the risk of a range of chronic and metabolic diseases. Polyphenols scavenge free radicals which are linked to ageing; may temper dysglycemia (abnormal blood sugar levels), which is a major metabolic illness or syndrome which is interrelated with oxidative stress. In short, oxidative stress is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to counteract the harmful effects of these free radicals through the work of the antioxidants. The polyphenols in rooibos also have anti-inflammatory and anti-mutagenic properties.Sufficient fluid intake also helps to regulate our body temperature, aids the transmission of nutrients to the body and helps to remove mucus from the body (especially when we are ill or suffering from colds and flu), all of which keeps the risk of infection low.
- Hypertension and cardiovascular health. Rooibos has a positive effect on adults at risk of heart disease, as rooibos may lower the total blood cholesterol levels, with a significant reduction in “bad” LDL cholesterol levels which can inhibit the forming of a layer on the inside of blood vessels.
- Stress. Rooibos can also keep stress and anxiety at bay as the tea polyphenols aspalathin and nothofagin interfere with the production of the stress hormone, cortisol. These two compounds were tested in a lab on adrenal cells that were stimulated to mimic a stress response similar to that which occurs in humans which showed that rooibos lowered the production of the stress hormone. Rooibos is naturally soothing on the nervous system which acts as a stress reliever and also helps you get a good night’s sleep which again is essential to a healthy immune system. Good quality sleep helps ward off sickness and disease.
- Diabetes. The polyphenol aspalathin in rooibos helps to balance blood sugar levels and improves the absorption of glucose by the cells of the body, as well as to break down insulin resistance in cells preventing blood sugar highs and lows. Rooibos also has the potential to delay and even prevent the onset and progression of type 2 diabetes – one of the most prevalent diseases today.
- Healthy skin. Rooibos gained interest for use in the treatment of skin disease and ailments. The polyphenol found in rooibos is aspalathin which possesses antioxidant properties associated with the prevention of cancer development. The chemopreventive properties (meaning to delay or inhibit carcinogenesis) of rooibos have been demonstrated in various organs as well as in the skin. Within the biological context of ageing, rooibos was found to protect some of the fat cells named preadipocytes, from cell death which can result in the occurrence of wrinkles. Hydration also keeps our skin moist, preventing wrinkles and protecting it from premature ageing.
- Bone health. Rooibos is high in calcium, manganese and fluoride, which improves bone health and strengthens our teeth.
- Weight management. Drinking rooibos before meals prevents overeating and curbs our sense of hunger by creating a sense of fullness. Rooibos’ anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties could potentially curb obesity.
- Gut health. Rooibos improves gut health especially through our Teatox program. Hydration also helps the liver and kidneys remove waste and prevents toxic build up.
Let us emerge from this crisis stronger, healthier and happier.
If I may adapt a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: We are like teabags, you can’t tell how strong we are until you put us in hot water. It’s a South African thing, isn’t it?
Put the kettle on and enjoy your hot cup of Carmien rooibos with new appreciation.