Rooted in science, growing worldwide – the measured impact of rooibos health research led by Professor Jeanine Marnewick

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Professor Jeanine L. Marnewick has been one of the most visible scientists globally in building the evidence base for rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) as a health-promoting beverage. Her more than two decade programme on rooibos and its health benefits has progressed from mechanistic antioxidant/ anti-inflammatory/ antimutagenic studies to the first controlled human trials, demonstrating significant enhancement of the body’s antioxidant defense system and improvements in cholesterol profiles after the consumption of six cups daily for six weeks. Outcomes from these studies have been acknowledged by the South African Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Cancer Association of South Africa’s (CANSA) “Smart Choice’’ labelling, collectively reaching many of our citizens. Continued media coverage referencing her work supports the efforts to extend the reach and inform the consumer and industry stakeholders of the health benefits. Concurrently, not only has rooibos production been grown, but export has increased significantly over the years as a result of the science-supported health claims. Marnewick’s publications constitute four of the five most-cited rooibos health papers and underpin the EU Protected Designation of Origin dossier and an ongoing EFSA Article 14 health-claim submission. This case study illustrates a clear translational pathway whereby rigorous, peer-reviewed evidence has simultaneously advanced public-health objectives, shifted consumer behaviour and generated sustained economic growth for a strategic South African Agri-export sector.