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Rooibos
Rooibos (roy-bus) Rooibos has been getting an amazing amount of press recently. As people begin searching for healthy alternatives to soft drinks, rooibos, with its polyphenols, iron, zinc, fluoride, calcium and magnesium fits the bill. Enjoyed in South Africa for centuries, rooibos was first made available to Westerners by a Russian emigre named Benjamin Ginsberg. He recognized that its beneficial properties and wonderful taste made it an excellent caffeine free alternative to traditional caffeinated teas. Like Camellia Sinensis, Rooibos is an environmentally sensitive plant. The best indicator of this is the fact that it only grows commercially in one small corner of the world- South Africa's Cederberg district. The soil conditions, rainfall and sunshine of the district can't be duplicated anywhere else on earth. In order to protect the future of the industry, environmental controls in the area are stringent. Growers take great care to ensure that the fragile Cederberg ecosystem isn't tampered with or altered. Here are some health benefits of Rooibos: (per 200 ml) | Iron (Fe) | Essential for transport of oxygen in the blood | 0.07mg | | Potassium (K) | Assists certain metabolic functions | 7.12mg | | Calcium (Ca) | Necessary for strong teeth and bones | 1.09mg | | Copper (Cu) | Assists certain metabolic processes | 0.07mg | | Zinc (Zn) | Necessary for growth and development of healthy skin | 0.04mg | | Magnesium (Mg) | Assists several metabolic processes essential for living | 1.57mg | Flouride (F) | Necessary for strong teeth and bones | 0.22mg | | Manganese (mn) | Assists metabolic processes and bone growth | 0.04mg | | Sodium (na) | Necessary for fluid and acid-base balance | 6.16mg |
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