Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 123, October 2019 | Page 36

ADVERTORIAL
Could Rooibos
be the ‘Silver Bullet’
for Athletes to Win Gold?
In an age where illegal performance enhancing drugs have threatened
the health of the professional sports industry, it appears every athlete
is looking for the ‘silver bullet’ to sporting success. In South Africa,
scientists have found an unlikely plant which could well become the
most sought after natural performance supplement the world over.
The history of rooibos (Aspalathuslinearis) consumption dates back thousands of
years to when it was first discovered and used for its medicinal properties in the
Cederberg, the only place in the world where rooibos grows. Now listed as one
of the top 50 superfoods of all time, Rooibos has become a popular ingredient in
consumables, from moisturisers to beverages. This humble plant, and one of South
Africa’s finest exports, has grown far beyond a much-loved cup of tea.
The list of health benefits of rooibos is exhaustive. It is naturally caffeine-free,
contains high levels of beneficial antioxidants and is rich in many essential minerals
the body needs, such as iron, calcium, potassium, copper, manganese, zinc,
magnesium and alpha hydroxy acid.
With its strong history of medicinal benefits, it is no wonder sport scientists have
begun to focus their attention on the possible links between rooibos and sport
performance.
Does the Science Back the Hype?
To date, research from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and
the Prime Human Performance Institute in Durban have concluded that rooibos
plays a preventative role in exercise-induced oxidative stress. This means that the
concentration of antioxidants in rooibos work in unison to resist cell damage caused
by intense bouts of exercise.
In fact, CPUT Professor Simeon Davies explains that their studies have shown
that rooibos can actually enhance exercise performance: “Rooibos contains
components referred to as polyphenols exhibiting certain bio-activities suggested
to include the modulation of oxidative stress, the inflammatory response, muscular
damage and fatigue. These responses, if not controlled, can all result in declining
performance during exercise. Recent research provides evidence that rooibos may
minimise some of, perhaps all of these factors, with a resultant enhanced exercise
performance,” he says.
“The findings support the hypothesis that when an athlete or sportsperson trains,
especially during repeated bouts of high intensity exercise, such as repeated sprints
for athletics, football, rugby, etc, and also for resistance training, when exercise
includes repeated repetitions requiring near maximal force, using rooibos they
perform better, which in turn implies they have the potential to perform better in
actual competition.”
Preliminary findings of their study also conclude that rooibos builds and repairs
muscle tissue, reduces physical fatigue and boosts performance by up to 5%.
Rooibos also prevents cell damage during high-intensity bursts of exercise whilst
fighting inflammation and boosting circulation. It contains high levels of magnesium
and zinc (these aid testosterone production, which is important for the body’s
durability and ability to recover) and has high levels of calcium, magnesium and
manganese (vital for bone health). This humble super food also aids iron absorption
and enhances oxygen delivery to the muscles, which is critical in endurance racing.
In beverage format, it is an ideal fluid and electrolyte replacement, as it contains
critical electrolytes and minerals for sustained performance, and could help to
prevent high altitude sickness.
So Grab a Bos Sport
While scientists will never stop their search for the elusive ‘silver bullet’ for sporting success, there are some brands
which have already capitalised on the growing body of health data linked to rooibos to develop products designed to
benefit athletes. BOS Sport is readily available across South Africa, and is safe and legal as a performance enhancing
sports drink for any age or level of sporting activity.
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ISSUE 124 OCTOBER 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
From Ancient Plant to Modern Day Superfood