Q: You’ve referred to cellular hydration several times in various articles. Can you explain what it is and why it’s important?
Dr. Micozzi: To understand cellular hydration, it helps to imagine a roaring fire. Your cells make energy through a chemical reaction that’s similar to the way a fire creates heat.
In a fire, wood, coal, or oil combines with oxygen to produce heat. In a cell, glucose (carbohydrate) combines with oxygen to create energy. The byproduct of this process, which is called cellular respiration, is carbon dioxide and water.
The water formed by cellular respiration is the primary source of water inside the cells—also known as cellular hydration. You cannot hydrate the cells just by drinking fluids and electrolytes. The cells must also produce their own water.
However, drinking a beverage that contains powdered extract of South African red bush, or rooibos, is like throwing more wood into these cellular “hearths.” Rooibos helps more sugar get into the cells, which creates more energy and consequently more water for cellular hydration.
That explains the research showing rooibos lowers blood sugar and helps reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes. In addition, the cells’ increased energy and hydration improves muscle performance (as it improves performance of all other cells and tissues).
Research also shows that rooibos can help with weight loss. When a cell is burning more sugar and getting more energy, it sends signals NOT to store energy in the form of fat.
To learn more about rooibos and cellular hydration, check out “New male breakthrough combo benefits women too” in last month’s issue of Insiders’ Cures.