Rooibos plays a part in reducing stress

During 2012 researchers at the biochemistry department for Stellenbosch University

discovered that Rooibos is able to reduce the production of Cortisol, a steroid

hormone secreted by the adrenal gland also known as a stress hormone, which

may prevent a number of stress-related diseases.

Professor Amanda Swart and her team of researchers from the university, found that

Rooibos contains components that can help alleviate stress and anxiety. Rooibos extracts

and compounds were tested in the laboratory on adrenal cells that were stimulated

to mimic a stress response similar to that which occurs in humans. It was found that

Rooibos lowers the production of Cortisol in the cells.

Aspalathin and Nothofagin, two rare components in Rooibos, were identified as

contributing to the stress-lowering effect. By lowering Cortisol levels, the effect of the

body’s response to stress is also lowered. The findings were published in The Journal of

Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology during 2012.

According to Swart, Cortisol is a significant part of the human metabolism and plays an

important role in the way humans respond to stress. Swart says Cortisol helps regulate fat,

protein and carbohydrate metabolism.

Studies of the consumption of Rooibos in humans have shown the beverage was able

to lower the production of the stress hormone. However, she emphasises that the steroid

hormone can be overproduced due to a stressful lifestyle which is linked to a number of

diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and Diabetes Type

2. She says keeping Cortisol at normal levels in the blood stream is key to a healthy lifestyle.

According to Marina Joubert, science communicator of the South African Rooibos Council,

Rooibos contains antioxidants that fight against lifestyle diseases and protect the body from

oxidated stress. She says research over the last 10 years has proven the herb can assist in

preventing cancer, protect the liver against disease, boost immune systems, delay ageing, relieve

allergies and treat digestive disorders.

Joubert is however adamant that despite all benefits of the herb, Rooibos should not be

seen as a substitute for medicine and should not be positioned as a medicine but rather,

with its preventative and curative properties as part of a healthy lifestyle.
 

Researchers recommend that six cups of tea should be consumed throughout

the day for Rooibos to be effective. Joubert admits not everyone is able to

drink six cups a day, and says alternative ways of consuming it include

having it in meat dishes, in potjiekos, as a marinade and in fruit

juice.

 

Rooibos

plays a part in reducing stress levels