Rooibos: Effect on Iron Status in South African Adults at Risk for Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract

The effect of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) herbal tea consumption on the iron status of adults at risk for developing coronary heart disease was a secondary objective of a recent clinical study. After consuming six cups of rooibos daily for six weeks, serum iron, ferritin, transferrin, TIBC and Fe saturation were determined to assess the iron status of the participants. Dietary intakes were calculated with the use of dietary records completed during the study periods. No significant changes in these biochemical parameters were recorded after completion of the rooibos and control study periods. Results showed that consumption of rooibos tea did not adversely affect the iron status of this study population when taking into account the habitual dietary composition and genetic variation in the HFE gene affecting iron absorption.