Why Rooibos Tea Is The Perfect Drink For People With Diabetes

Living with diabetes means you need to be extra aware of everything you consume and how it can affect your blood sugar levels.

Sugary beverages, such as fizzy drinks, can cause a sharp rise in blood sugar, which is especially dangerous for diabetics, who are unable to metabolize and regulate their blood glucose levels effectively.

A review of several studies by Harvard University found that those who regularly drink sugary drinks (one or more cans a day), have a 26% increased risk of type 2 diabetes.

Prof Christo Muller, Chief Specialist Scientist at the SA Medical Research Council (SAMRC) says diabetics should avoid or limit such beverages as they can easily get more than a meal’s worth of sugar from one drink without even realizing it.

Rooibos for diabetes

“Consuming too many sweetened drinks also results in weight gain, which in turn, increases the likelihood of diabetes. Zero- or low-calorie drinks are typically recommended for diabetics to keep blood sugar in check. This makes Rooibos tea ideal since it’s calorie-free and has a naturally sweet taste, meaning no sweeteners are necessary. Rooibos contains active compounds that can help control blood glucose while lowering inflammation.”

Blood glucose levels

“A unique phenolic compound found only in the Rooibos plant species, called aspalathin, may also help to improve blood glucose levels. Green Rooibos, which is more abundant in aspalathin, is also effective at lowering raised blood glucose levels in animal studies.

In these studies, aspalathin, improved insulin activity, the hormone that controls blood sugar levels, by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, which are both causal factors that underlie the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.”

“Rooibos also protects the heart by suppressing vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis (plaque build-up inside artery walls) that occurs as a result of high blood sugar levels,” Muller explains.

A diabetic diet

In addition to drinking tea, following a diet that keeps blood glucose stable is equally important. Those suffering from type 2 diabetes, which is primarily a result of poor dietary lifestyle choices, can, in addition to medication, benefit greatly from proper diet and exercise.

Heleen Meyer, popular cookbook author and healthy food consultant, says eating a diet rich in polyphenols (the most abundant antioxidants found in food) will help the body metabolize sugar better.

“These include brightly coloured fruit and vegetables, nuts, fish and drinking Rooibos tea, that’s all packed with antioxidants.

Rooibos recipes

“Aside from drinking the tea, there are many ways to incorporate Rooibos into meals,” says Meyer.

Meyers says you should think of Rooibos as an all-natural flavouring and cooking ingredient. It’s a wonderful cooking liquid as it’s tasty and full of goodness.

Rooibos is the perfect substitute for shop-bought stock, which is often very high in salt, artificial flavourings or preservatives and even sugar.

According to Meyers, the flavour of Rooibos goes well with so many other ingredients, ranging from tomatoes, ginger, chilli, garlic to herbs and spices, and can be used for a wide range of recipes. Add it as a liquid to soups, stews or even when oven-roasting chicken or veggies.

“It’s also a delicious base for a salad dressing, marinade or sauce. Next time you prepare a tomato-based sauce, add Rooibos instead of stock. Balsamic vinegar or lemon juice and a bit of olive oil, whisked into strong, cooled-down Rooibos tea, is a delicious salad dressing and can be seasoned with fresh herbs of your choice.”

Meyer adds that Rooibos is also great for baking and making desserts. Milk or water in a baking recipe can often be replaced with Rooibos tea, which will add flavour and a beautiful rich colour to whatever you’re making.

Here are two of her favourite diabetic-friendly recipes, which include Rooibos:

CHICKEN AND ROOIBOS TRAY BAKE

Rooibos marinade

• 250 ml (1 cup) strong Rooibos tea
  

  CHICKEN AND ROOIBOS TRAY BAKE

• 45 ml (3 tbsp) olive oil
• 60 ml (¼ cup) lemon juice
• 60 ml (¼ cup) balsamic vinegar
• 15 ml (1 tbsp) finely grated lemon rind
• 10 ml (2 tsp) cumin seeds or 15 ml (1 tbsp) ground cumin
• 45 ml (3 tbsp) fresh thyme leaves

Chicken

• 8-10 chicken portions, excess fat removed
• 2 onions, cut into wedges
• 300 g cauliflower, cut into florets
• 200 g baby tomatoes, whole
• 6 baby marrows, diagonally sliced
• 2 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced
• salt and pepper
• extra fresh thyme sprigs for garnish

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
2. Rooibos marinade:Mix all the marinade ingredients together. Keep a third of the mixture aside to serve as a salad dressing.
3. Chicken:Place the chicken and veggies in a large bowl. Pour the remaining marinade over the chicken and veggies and toss well to coat all the ingredients. Season to taste.
4. Spoon the chicken and veggies, with the marinade, in a single layer into a large oven dish.
5. Roast for 40-45 minutes or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked, but still juicy.
6. Serve with extra fresh thyme sprigs and a simple green salad. Enjoy the salad with the remaining marinade as a healthy salad dressing.

ROOIBOS & STRAWBERRY CHIA PUDDINGS

Serves 4 – 6

• 3 Rooibos tea bags
• 5 ml (1 tsp) vanilla essence
  

  ROOIBOS & STRAWBERRY CHIA PUDDINGS

• 10 ml (2 tsp) finely grated lemon rind
• 200 ml boiling water
• 500 ml (2 cups) plain unsweetened double cream yoghurt
• 80 ml (⅓ cup) chia seeds
• 2,5 ml (½ tsp) ground cinnamon
• 6-8 small strawberries
• mint leaves, toasted flaked almonds (see tips) and more berries to garnish

Method

1. Place tea bags, vanilla and lemon rind in a jug. Add boiling water, stir through and draw to a strong tea. Then allow to cool completely.
2. Remove tea bags and stir the cooled, seasoned tea into the yoghurt. Add the chia seeds and cinnamon and mix well.
3. Spoon the Rooibos mixture into individual glasses or serving bowls (about 160 ml per portion). Allow to set for about 30-45 minutes in the fridge.
4. Meanwhile, blend the strawberries to make a purée – don’t be tempted to add sugar.
5. Just before serving, spoon the strawberry purée over the chia puddings. Garnish with mint, almonds and more berries

Tips

1. Rooibos tea can also be seasoned with a cinnamon stick. Add the tea bags with the vanilla and remove them before stirring into the yoghurt.
2. A naturally flavoured Rooibos tea, like vanilla, berry or a floral option would be delicious in this dessert.
3. Toast almond flakes in a dry frying pan, without any oil. Heat over a medium temperature and toast for a few minutes, or until golden brown. Take care as they can burn quite quickly.
4. Chia seeds are available at most health stores and large supermarkets.

“Whether you are diabetic or not, this delightful summer pudding is a must-have. The natural sweetness of Rooibos is perfect as the main flavour component in this easy pudding. Every ingredient in this recipe is nutritious and good for you.

If you feel like something sweet, but need to manage your carbohydrate intake, this is a winner. Thanks to the Rooibos and other complementing, all-natural ingredients, no added sugar is needed,” says Meyer.