Page 20 - Interface September 2024

New study first to investigate

effects of rooibos in humans,

specifically women under

real-world conditions

Already lauded for its many health benefits, Rooibos is

gaining increasing attention in the fight against obesity
and related conditions, such as type 2 diabetes (T2D)

and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

n a first-of-its-kind study,
researchers will be probing the
Ieffects of real-world Rooibos
consumption in human subjects.

Prof Elmarie Terblanche, a leading
researcher from the Department of
Exercise, Sport and Lifestyle Medicine at
Stellenbosch University, is spearheading
a groundbreaking study to explore these
benefits in depth.

“Our study aims to investigate the
health effects of Rooibos consumption in
women who are overweight or obese,”
she explains. “We are particularly
interested in examining changes in body
composition, inflammation, glycaemic
control and cardiovascular fitness.”

The study is meticulously designed,
involving four distinct groups:
• Rooibos only
• exercise only
• Rooibos plus exercise; and a,
• control group

Women in the two Rooibos groups will
consume six cups of Rooibos daily for
eight weeks, while those in the exercise
group will participate in supervised
high-intensity interval training sessions
three times a week with no Rooibos
consumption.

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