Have you ever heard tall people don’t get osteoporosis? What about that tall people don’t shrink?
I have.
As I near 30, I am starting to doubt those things I heard as a child. Bone density myths are among them. My mom was almost 5’10, when she started shrinking a few years ago. I am 6’2. I’ve often joked about being perfectly fine with shrinking, so I can find pants more easily. The reality is shrinking is a sign of serious issues: bone density loss and osteoporosis.
Causes of osteoporosis
Osteoporosis or the loss of tissue from bones, typically affects women post-menopause and men after age 65. There are several causes of osteoporosis, which include:
- smoking
- use of corticosteroids (medication for asthma, arthritis, allergies, and Lupus)
- use of caffeine products
- age
Obviously, some of these things can be avoided, while others cannot. Smoking and drinking or taking products that contain caffeine can usually be avoided pretty easily. For folks like my mom, who must take corticosteriods and will hopefully continue to get older, it’s important to take measures to prevent osteoporosis.
Like many diseases, osteoporosis can be prevented through diet. Eating foods high in calcium and fluoride can help to build strong bones and teeth up to age 30. Eating foods high in manganese helps to build bone mass throughout life.
Calcium, fluoride, and manganese can all be obtained from eating simple foods, drinking water, and practicing good oral hygiene. However, rooibos tea provides all of these minerals AND can increase bone density by ten times.
Benefits of Rooibos Tea
Rooibos tea (pronounced Roy boss) or Red Bush tea, is an herbal drink from a plant native to South Africa. It is a part of the legume (Fabaceae) family, yet 
lacks any type of bean-like flavor. Instead, when brewed properly at 180oF, it has a rather earthy flavor with notes of vanilla. It can be used in any tea blend in place of black tea to produce a caffeine-free recipe. Personally, I prefer it alone and unsweetened.
Honestly, I won’t say rooibos is my favorite tea. However, with everyone in my family shrinking, I think it’s well worth me trying to avoid losing inches. Plus, rooibos is packed with polyphenols to ward off other diseases and viruses, so it is well worth my sips.
Do you like rooibos tea? Share your favorite way to enjoy it below.
Rooibos can be used to treat:
Osteoporosis/Bone density loss, Swelling, Arthritis, Stress, Tension, Hypertension (high blood pressure), Joint pain, Colic, High Cholesterol, Type II Diabetes (high blood sugar), Acne, Sunburn, Stomach Cramps, Eczema, Hay Fever, and Asthma
Rooibos can be used to prevent:
Cancer, Viruses, Heart attack, Atherosclerosis (clogged arteries), Arthritis, Osteoporosis, Joint pain, Stroke, High cholesterol, Type II Diabetes (high blood sugar), Diarrhea, and Premature aging
*Warning: Rooibos tea can interfere with treatment for hormone-sensitive cancers like breast cancer. Be sure to consult with your doctor before drinking rooibos if you are a breast cancer patient.
Hi Jaemio,
My sister was recently telling me how I should replace some of my cups of tea with Rooibos but I didn’t give it much thought…until I realised that I have fallen into the habit of only drinking a couple of favourites. I also see now that she was trying to help me with some aching joints I acquired after pregnancy.
Your information is a real eye-opener for me because I have been watching my Mum shrink over the years to and as I’m also nearing 30 now I’m quietly panicking inside that I haven’t paid enough attention to my calcium intake…so with that in mind I’ll be making some changes, one of which will be including some rooibos.
Hi Tennille,
Sounds like we have quite a bit in common. I like to think we don’t ignore the things folks try to warn us about, as much as it’s a whole lot to take in, in a limited amount of time. I am very happy to hear you’ll be incorporating rooibos tea into your routine. I truly hope it works for you. Shrinking sounded funny when I was a kid, as an adult though, it’s pretty scary stuff!
If you’re having aching joints, I strongly recommend trying peppermint as well. It has helped me tremendously! Personally, I find it works faster in terms of relieving aches. I haven’t done this, but you could blend the rooibos with the peppermint to gain the benefits of both. For taste, maybe even add some peach. Just a thought.
Let me know how you like the rooibos and cheers to osteoporosis prevention!
JaemiO
P.S. Be sure to check out my article on peppermint tea to learn the full benefits of it.
Hi,
Ffluoride had in fact bee proven to have a negative effect on bone density. The following is one of several scientific papers that discusses this: https://fluoridealert.org/studies/bone04/
Hi Tamlyn and thanks for stopping by!
There has been much talk in the past few years about the effects of Fluoride. Specifically, the concern has been over whether or not localities should be adding the mineral to drinking water for fear of people, especially children may be receiving too much.
Fluoride, as shown in the article you provided, as well as mine, is a necessary mineral to good bone health. However, previously scientists believed the mineral could aid in increasing bone strength, as noted in the article you linked. What scientists are now finding, as noted in the same article, is that while Fluoride does increase bone mass, it does not also increase bone strength. This is interesting because “while increases in bone mass are generally associated with increased bone strength, this is not the case with fluoride” (Connett, Michael 2012 https://fluoridealert.org/studies/bone04/).
Typically, too much of anything can be harmful to one’s health. This includes something as seemingly harmless as water. So while concerns about too much Fluoride are indeed warranted, please remember that it is necessary to our health and generally does not cause negative effects on the body, when consumed appropriately.