Research

Rooibos Tea (Aspalathus linearis)

10 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

1
Meta-analyses
1
Systematic reviews
6
RCTs
2
Other studies
Meta-analyses (10%)
Systematic reviews (10%)
RCTs (60%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2021·The Cochrane database of systematic reviews·Porjai Pattanittum, Chetta Ngamjarus, Fonthip Buttramee, et al

Roselle for hypertension in adults.

Systematic reviewn = 60Heart Health -

Systematic review assessing the effect of Roselle on blood pressure in adults with hypertension. Only one RCT with 60 participants was included, showing very low-certainty evidence and no significant effect on systolic or diastolic blood pressure compared to placebo.

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2024·Journal of medicinal food·Maria Diana Hartnick, Jeanine L Marnewick, Penelope Engel-Hills, et al

Impact of Chronic Consumption of Herbal Rooibos on Cardiovascular Function in Adults with Cardiovascular Risk.

RCTHeart Health

This 12-week randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial investigated the impact of Rooibos on cardiovascular function in adults at risk of CVD. Echocardiography was used to assess cardiac function, showing that fermented Rooibos decreased left ventricle mass, while green Rooibos decreased interventricular septum diameter. Regular Rooibos consumption may offer therapeutic benefits for preventing and managing CVD risk.

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2018·Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)·Moe Sasaki, Nami Nishida, Masako Shimada

A Beneficial Role of Rooibos in Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Meta-analysisn = 88Nutrition

Systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on the effects of rooibos extracts on blood glucose levels in diabetic rodent models. The analysis included 12 studies with 88 diabetic rodents treated with rooibos extracts, showing significantly lower blood glucose levels compared to controls.

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2025·Nutrients·Oiva V Kamati, Laura Bragagna, Dirk J Bester, et al

A Standardised Exercise Protocol to Induce Oxidative Stress in Humans: Validation with a Dietary Polyphenol Intervention.

RCTn = 40

This study aimed to establish a standardized exercise model to induce oxidative stress in humans and tested it with dietary polyphenols, specifically rooibos. The exercise regime reliably induced oxidative stress, evidenced by increased oxidative damage markers, while the rooibos intervention did not affect the onset of oxidative stress.

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2013·Molecular nutrition & food research·Lindie Schloms, Carine Smith, Karl-Heinz Storbeck, et al

Rooibos influences glucocorticoid levels and steroid ratios in vivo and in vitro: a natural approach in the management of stress and metabolic disorders?

RCTStress

The study investigates the effect of Rooibos on glucocorticoid biosynthesis and inactivation in vivo and in vitro. Human consumption of Rooibos increased cortisone plasma levels and reduced cortisol:cortisone ratios. In rats, Rooibos decreased corticosterone and deoxycorticosterone levels. In vitro, Rooibos inhibited 11β-HSD1, reducing cortisol:cortisone ratios, and decreased cortisol and corticosterone levels in adrenal cells.

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2010·Journal of ethnopharmacology·Jeanine L Marnewick, Fanie Rautenbach, Irma Venter, et al

Effects of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) on oxidative stress and biochemical parameters in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease.

RCTn = 40Heart Health Inflammation

RCT investigating the effects of rooibos on oxidative stress and biochemical parameters in adults at risk for cardiovascular disease. Rooibos consumption significantly improved lipid profiles and redox status, with increased HDL-cholesterol and reduced LDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerols, and markers of lipid peroxidation.

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2010·Research in sports medicine (Print)·Alan C Utter, John C Quindry, Gian Pietro Emerenziani, et al

Effects of rooibos tea, bottled water, and a carbohydrate beverage on blood and urinary measures of hydration after acute dehydration.

RCTn = 23

RCT comparing the effects of rooibos tea, bottled water, and a carbohydrate beverage on hydration markers in 23 collegiate wrestlers after acute dehydration. Rooibos tea was no more effective in promoting rehydration than plain water, with significant changes found in the carbohydrate/electrolyte solution.

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2010·Public health nutrition·Ingrid A-L Persson, Karin Persson, Staffan Hägg, et al

Effects of green tea, black tea and Rooibos tea on angiotensin-converting enzyme and nitric oxide in healthy volunteers.

RCTn = 17Heart Health

Randomized crossover study with 17 healthy volunteers examining the effects of green tea, black tea, and Rooibos tea on ACE activity and nitric oxide levels. Rooibos tea significantly inhibited ACE activity, and green tea showed significant inhibition for certain ACE genotypes. No significant effect on nitric oxide concentration was observed.

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2021·Diabetes, metabolic syndrome and obesity : targets and therapy·Temidayo S Omolaoye, Shantal Lynn Windvogel, Stefan S Du Plessis

The Effect of Rooibos (), Honeybush () and() on Testicular Insulin Signalling in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Wistar Rats.

Animal studyn = 60

The study investigated the role of rooibos and honeybush on insulin signalling in the testicular tissue of type I diabetic rats. Diabetic rats treated with rooibos and honeybush showed changes in testicular protein expression related to insulin signalling, suggesting potential enhancement of insulin signalling through diverse pathways.

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2023·Frontiers in physiology·Temidayo S Omolaoye, Bongekile T Skosana, Stefan S du Plessis

The effect of,andon sperm functional parameters of healthy male wistar rats.

Animal studyn = 40Sexual Health

The study investigated the effects of rooibos, honeybush, and sutherlandia on sperm functional parameters in healthy male Wistar rats. Treatment with these plant extracts resulted in increased sperm concentration but reduced sperm motility and normal morphology. Additionally, there was an increase in superoxide dismutase activity and a decrease in malondialdehyde levels.

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