Council (ARC), as well as the MC2 Biotek Group, are
researching the link between Rooibos tea in fighting diabetes, due to its
anti-diabetic and anti-obesity properties.
"In healthy people, their cells take up and use
glucose effectively and the process is controlled by the insulin hormone, but
in diabetics these processes are impaired," Louw explains. "We have
obtained encouraging results from Rooibos extracts in our pre-clinical studies
with diabetic animals, as well as in cell models, showing that compounds in
Rooibos can play an important role in these processes."
"We plan to continue with follow-up work to look at
Rooibos and obesity in animals and humans."
A positive outcome of this research in humans could lead
to nutraceutical applications of Rooibos extract which could have positive,
far-reaching health implications.
South Africa‟s focus on the potential of rooibos to
manage diabetes builds on research in other countries: Slovakian scientists
have recommended Rooibos to help prevent and treat diabetic vascular
complications, especially in eye membranes. Japanese scientists found that
Rooibos helps improve the glucose uptake of muscle cells, thereby maintaining normal
blood sugar levels in diabetic mice, and also that it stimulates pancreatic
beta-cells to secrete insulin.
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