Rooibos Mitigates Metabolic and Inflammatory Dysfunctions in Mice Fed a High-Carbohydrate Diet

The global rise in metabolic disorders is strongly associated with excessive carbohydrate intake and physical inactivity. Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis), a South African plant, has been recognized for its antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and hepatoprotective properties, though its role in obesity-related metabolic dysfunction remains unclear. This study evaluated the effects of Rooibos tea on metabolic disturbances induced by a high-carbohydrate (HC) diet in mice. Male Balb-C mice were divided into four groups: Control (C, balanced diet), HC (high-carbohydrate diet), HCR (HC diet plus Rooibos tea for 8 weeks), and HCRT (HC diet followed by Rooibos tea for the final 2 weeks). Body weight and food intake were monitored. Blood was analyzed for glucose, glucose tolerance test, lipids, liver enzymes, cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10), and nitric oxide (NO). Liver were collected to assess weight, lipid content, cytokine, NO, and histological changes. The HC diet increased adiposity, glucose intolerance, hepatic triglycerides, inflammatory markers, and induced hepatic steatosis. Rooibos supplementation significantly improved these alterations, reducing inflammation, improving glucose tolerance, and attenuating liver damage. These findings support Rooibos tea as a potential dietary strategy to prevent or ameliorate HC diet-induced metabolic dysfunction.