The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) has officially recognised Rooibos as a source of chemicals that can help prevent cancer in humans. They have endorsed the Fair Cape brand of yoghurt with Rooibos, which has as much Rooibos extract as 1 cup of tea and meets high dairy and environmental standards.

I am very used to working through a cyclist's food diary and looking at drink consumption. A lot of people drink too much coffee, so I'm always looking for alternatives. Too much caffeine can cause problems with blood sugar regulation and even long-term burn-out, especially if training hard. In the UK, the alternative to coffee would be tea, which is also high in caffeine. Here, lots of people drink Rooibos, which is caffeine-free and high in antioxidants.

To find something natural that is endorsed by an association of health is a real break-through because they generally spend most of their time looking for the magic drug that is going to cure our diseases of miss-use. 

So, feel free to drink lots of Rooibos! Go easy on the sugar and sweeteners, although a touch of raw honey is not a bad idea. You can also use Rooibos to make your own sports drink - if you like Iced Tea, then listen up for some DIY sports drink suggestions .........