Rooibos Rocks for a healthy 2021

New Year, new you – ‘tis the season of resolutions! Since we’ve spent 2020 living under a Covid cloud the desire for renewed health and wellness is sure to be stronger than usual at this time of year. Whatever kind of weight loss, detox, or wellbeing diet you go for, one thing is certain - Rooibos Rocks makes a refreshing and healthy accompaniment to them all. Read on to discover why!

Do your diet due diligence

There’s no shortage of diets to choose from, each with its own particular pros and cons (and the wackier ones may well be cons!). We’ve listed some of the most popular diets but don’t have space to go into details. You’ll have to do your own research and find the one that suits you best.

The Paleo Diet is based on the idea that we should go back to eating the same as our hunter-gatherer ancestors ate before we got the hang of growing stuff. That means ditching grains, dairy, and processed foods in favor of whole foods, lean protein, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds.

The Vegan Diet rejects all animal products for ethical, environmental, or health reasons. You eliminate meat, dairy, eggs and animal-derived products, such as gelatin, honey, albumin, whey, casein, and some forms of vitamin D3.

Low-Carb Diets involve limiting carb intake to 20–150 grams per day. The idea is to force your body to use more fats for fuel instead of using carbs as a main source of energy. There are many Low-Carb Diets including The Atkins Diet, The Zero-Carb Diet, and the Mediterranean Diet.

The Dukan Diet is a high-protein, low-carb weight loss diet split into four phases — two weight loss phases and two maintenance phases. In the weight loss phases, you eat unlimited high-protein foods and mandatory oat bran. The other phases involve adding non-starchy vegetables followed by some carbs and fat.

The DASH Diet stands for “dietary approaches to stop hypertension” and is designed to lower blood pressure by prioritizing fruit, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and low-fat dairy and discourages foods that are high in saturated fat, such as fatty meats, full-fat dairy foods, and tropical oils, as well as sugar-sweetened beverages and sweets.

The Ultra-Low-Fat Diet restricts your consumption of fat to under 10% of daily calories.

The Flexitarian Diet means you go largely vegetarian but can still chow down on a burger or steak when the urge hits.

The HCG Diet is an extreme diet meant to cause very fast weight loss of up to 1–2 pounds (0.45–1 kg) per day. It involves taking HCG supplements (human chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone present at high levels during early pregnancy) combined with an ultra-low-calorie diet of only 500 calories per day.

The Zone Diet is a low-glycemic load approach where you limit carbs to 35–45% of daily calories and protein and fat to 30% each.

Intermittent Fasting doesn’t restrict the foods you consume but just controls when you eat them – it’s more of an eating pattern than a diet. There are many variations including the 16/8 method, the eat-stop-eat method, the 5:2 diet, and the Warrior Diet.

The Weight Watcher’s Diet is primarily focused on weight loss but takes a holistic approach to inspire healthy living and improved overall well-being.

Rooibos - the ultimate diet-friendly brew

 These diets are all pretty different but they all have similar goals – to help you get in better shape and improve your wellbeing. Combining them with traditional tea and coffee is often discouraged. Both beverages contain caffeine, which is not great if you are trying to detox your system. Rooibos, however, is caffeine-free and ideal if you are trying to clear your system of stimulants. Also, tea and coffee can be slightly bitter, which invites you to add sugar. Rooibos, however, is naturally sweet so there’s less temptation to load it with sugar. It’s also calorie free and therefore the ideal weight loss beverage.

What’s more, Rooibos is packed with goodness and works synergistically with whatever diet you choose. For instance, research suggests that:

• Rooibos contains a flavonoid that reduces inflammation. It’s great for easing skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rashes. It also helps with joint pains, heart problems, and digestive complaints.
• Rooibos is rich in antioxidants, including Quercetin, Aspalathin, and Chrysoeriol. These may help prevent damage caused by excess free radicals in the body and guard you against serious health issues such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.
• Rooibos can reduce the production of the stress hormone called cortisol. And being caffeine-free won’t rev your system up. It can help you relax and sleep better, all of which are super important for your wellbeing.
• The antioxidants in Rooibos can boost your immune system and help your body fight off infection – just what you need when Covid is about.
• Rooibos can be beneficial for heart health by reducing levels of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme, bringing down blood pressure, and helping with weight management.

A lot of other beverages, like sodas, tea, and coffee, can have a counter-productive effect if you are on any kind of diet. Not so Rooibos – bursting with natural goodness, it’s the perfect partner for any diet designed to help you lose weight, detox or improve your wellbeing.