Rooibos, commonly called red tea, has nothing to do with tea . It does not come from Camelia Sinensis, but from an African shrub the Aspalathus Linearis .
It is actually an infusion and unlike tea it does not contain caffeine, it does not have those contraindications linked to the intake of nerve substances, so it can be drunk both by children and by elderly people; does not cause excitability, does not affect the quality or quantity of sleep, does not interfere with the absorption of some elements such as iron.
This last aspect makes Rooibos a drink suitable to be taken even during the delicate period of pregnancy .
Let's find out more about its properties and benefits.
The properties of rooibos in pregnancy
The dried leaves of the Rooibos are rich in flavonoids such as quercetin, aspalatine, rutin, polyphenols, Vitamin C, mineral salts such as iron, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and zinc. Rooibos has an important antioxidant action, counteracts cellular aging by free radicals.
It is an effective antiviral, protects the immune system, strengthens the body especially if it is growing in the case of children, and if in expenditure of elements as in pregnancy : it provides calcium for bones and teeth, zinc and magnesium for hair, nails and system nervous and the low content of tannins does not interfere with the absorption of iron and does not impoverish the shares so important for the mother and the fetus.
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The benefits of Rooibos in pregnancy
Rooibos is a very useful infusion during pregnancy . Its flavonoid component, in particular rutin, strengthens the blood vessels counteracting the capillary fragility of the lower limbs typical of this delicate period. It also performs a useful antispasmodic action thanks to the component of zinc and vitamin C, which contains possible attacks of nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Vitamin C in synergy with magnesium promotes an anxiolytic effect of Rooibos as it regulates the central nervous system with a relaxing action, and modulates the possible mood swings induced by hormonal changes. It also counteracts fatigue in pregnancy, thanks to the electrolytic component, and regulates the sleep-wake cycle.
Drinking Rooibos at certain times of the day also helps to control nervous hunger and more ... thanks to the presence of polyphenols such as luteolin and asphalt, this red tea intervenes on the absorption and accumulation of fats, mobilizing them from the liver and from adipose tissue and making them available for easy disposal.
Warnings
No contraindications have been reported regarding the intake of Rooibos in pregnancy, the elderly and children.
However, it is recommended not to associate Rooibos with grapefruit juice and milk, because it could become a stimulating drink of the central nervous system with exciting effects and lose its antioxidant properties.
