Rooibos phenolic constituents as a dietary supplement for physical performance: evidence to date

Abstract

Consumers all over the world incorporate natural phytochemicals into their diets on a regular basis in order to maintain and improve health and prevent diseases. Athletes and sports professionals are increasingly turning to naturally occurring plant extracts and phytochemicals to boost physical performance, aid in workout recovery, and maintain health. Even though exercise has numerous scientifically proven health benefits, it can also be compared to a double-edged sword in which low levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and generation induce beneficial physiological adaptation in working skeletal muscles, whereas high levels of ROS may harm critical cellular structures. However, Rooibos, a native South African herbal tea with unique polyphenolic components and bioactivities, has the ability to increase the endogenous antioxidant defense system and neutralize ROS. A growing body of evidence suggests that Rooibos may be useful as an ergogenic aid, offering athletes and the greater fitness community an efficacious product. Previously, Rooibos has been linked to anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, and other health benefits. In this narrative review, we primarily focus on published human intervention studies that evaluated Rooibos' ergogenic aid potential, its modulatory effect on healthy persons' antioxidant defense systems and improved exercise outcomes.