If your HDL needs a boost, you’ll have to drink a lot of rooibos tea. A 2011 article in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology had 40 people drink six cups of fermented rooibos tea (that’s the red tea you’ll usually find) every day for six weeks. Drinking rooibos tea improved total cholesterol levels. On average, the LDL cholesterol was reduced by almost 27 points and HDL improved by almost 12 points. The HDL levels improved on average by 33.3%.
Rooibos tea also increases a substance called glutathione, which is important for protecting cells from damage. This suggests that rooibos tea might have antioxidant effects, helping to keep cells healthy. Drinking rooibos tea also lowers markers of damage in the body. Rooibos tea increases the levels of polyphenols. Polyphenols are typically found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods, which shouldn’t be too surprising after drinking so much rooibos tea every day.