Here’s why you should drink a warm cup of rooibos tea on a hot summer’s day
JOBURG – Appropriate hydration is key to avoiding heat-related ailments and illnesses, but before you reach for something cold to cool you down, a warm cup of rooibos tea might be just what you need according to experts.
It might sound strange but experts suggest drinking a warm cup of rooibos tea on hot summer days can help you keep cool.
A series of studies conducted by the University of Ottawa found that this lowers the amount of heat stored by the body as the sweat produced by the hot beverage evaporates.
Research director for the SA Rooibos Council (SARC), Joe Swart explained that sweating is the body’s way of cooling us down. “As sweat evaporates from the surface of the skin, it cools and removes excess heat to keep our body temperature in check. It’s interesting to note that during one of the studies, researchers also tested the effect of a warm drink on those participating in the exercise for 75 minutes at a relatively low intensity, in 24 ºC at 23 per cent relative humidity, while consuming water at different temperatures. It was only after participants had consumed the warm drink when their overall body temperature dropped.”
However, Swart advised that it was important to keep in mind that because conditions such as airflow and humidity were controlled during the trials, the results could be different in an environment where sweat evaporation is limited, such as in hot, humid weather where one is dripping with sweat. “In these circumstances, the cooling effect of hot drinks is likely to be less effective, in which case colder drinks should be taken,”
In South Africa, our climate is quite temperate with plenty of sunny, dry days, so drinking a warm cuppa in summer might not be such a crazy idea after all.
He said rooibos tea is a healthy and affordable cooling option for everyone, including babies. “It contains no caffeine, is low in tannins and you can drink as much of it as you want, unlike other hot beverages that may have a diuretic effect.”
Rooibos tea can also be enjoyed hot or cold and comes in a variety of fruit and spiced-infused flavours. On a hot, dry summer’s day, cool down with a warm cup, or, if you are in hot, humid weather, it can be turned into a delicious iced tea, to help regulate your body temperature in a healthy, natural way.
“It also won’t add any additional calories as it contains no fats or carbohydrates and is naturally sweet, which eliminates the need for sugar,” Swart concluded.
For more information about rooibos and its many health benefits, visit www.sarooibos.co.za
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