Guest: Liezel Van Der Westhuizen | Presenter at Talk Radio 702 / 567 Cape Talk and KFM

What if making healthier drink choices for your family was as simple as dropping a rooibos teabag into cold water? From sugary lunchbox juices and fizzy drinks to bottled iced teas, many everyday beverages contain more sugar than consumers expect. Now, South African tea brand Carmién is offering a refreshing alternative with its Cold Brew Rooibos Ice Tea range, specially developed to infuse directly into cold water in just 10 to 30 minutes. Naturally caffeine-free, sugar-free and available in fruity flavours, the range offers an easy way to make ordinary water more appealing. There's also Carmién Kiddies Berry Boost, a rooibos blend featuring strawberry and blackcurrant flavours with added vitamin C, alongside a separate children's cold-brew range. But can these products genuinely help families reduce sugar intake, and are they suitable for children, active adults and everyday hydration?

In this week's Test It Out Thursday feature on CapeTalk and Talk Radio 702, Liezel van der Westhuizen, fitness presenter, wellness correspondent and burnout and mental fitness coach, joins Africa Melane to unpack the science, convenience and practical benefits of cold-brew rooibos. From understanding how cold-water brewing affects tea flavour to exploring the role of rooibos antioxidants, vitamin C and sugar-free alternatives, Liezel examines what these drinks can and cannot do for our health. She also explains why plain water should remain the first choice for everyday hydration, when endurance athletes may need additional electrolytes and carbohydrates, and how parents can make healthier drinking habits more enjoyable for children. Plus, discover a memorable World Health Organization statistic about daily sugar intake and creative ways to turn rooibos into refreshing homemade iced tea and fruit-filled ice lollies. Is this the simple South African wellness swap worth adding to your family's routine?

Early Breakfast with Africa Melane is 702’s and CapeTalk’s early morning talk show. Experienced broadcaster Africa Melane brings you the early morning news, sports, business, and interviews politicians and analysts to help make sense of the world. He also enjoys chatting to guests in the lifestyle sphere and the Arts. All the interviews are podcasted for you to catch-up and listen.

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