May Boost Heart Health

Antioxidants in rooibos have been related to heart health. This might happen in a variety of ways. First, drinking rooibos tea may lower blood pressure by blocking the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE). ACE indirectly raises blood pressure by contracting your blood vessels. Drinking rooibos tea 30-60 minutes after consumption decreased ACE activity in a study of 17 participants.

This, however, did not result in any changes in blood pressure. There is further evidence that tea can help lower cholesterol levels. Six cups of rooibos tea daily for six weeks lowered "bad" LDL cholesterol while increasing "good" HDL cholesterol in a trial of 40 overweight people at high risk of heart disease. A similar impact, however, was not observed in healthy persons. A healthy cholesterol level protects against a variety of cardiac problems, including heart attacks and strokes.