{"id":6471,"date":"2026-07-01T16:59:54","date_gmt":"2026-07-01T14:59:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/?p=186486"},"modified":"2026-07-01T16:59:54","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T14:59:54","slug":"specialist-dietitian-outlines-why-heart-health-matters-at-every-age","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/specialist-dietitian-outlines-why-heart-health-matters-at-every-age\/","title":{"rendered":"Specialist Dietitian Outlines Why Heart Health Matters at Every Age"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/Health_FQI-scaled.jpg\" class=\"ff-og-image-inserted\"><\/div>\n<p>Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of South Africa\u2019s leading health concerns, accounting for nearly one in three deaths nationally, with many cases linked to preventable lifestyle factors. Alarmingly, around 80% of cardiovascular-related deaths occur in people younger than 65, highlighting the growing need for South Africans to prioritise heart health far earlier in life.<\/p>\n<p>As conversations around preventative wellness gain momentum, Specialist Dietitian and Laager Rooibos Partner, Mbali Mapholi, is encouraging families to view heart health as a lifelong journey shaped by small, everyday choices.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cToo often, heart health is only taken seriously later in life, but prevention starts much earlier with habits we develop from childhood,\u201d explains Mbali. \u201cAs a dietitian, I\u2019ve seen how simple daily habits like balanced nutrition, movement, and mindful hydration can significantly support heart health over time. It\u2019s these small, repeated actions \u2013 such as enjoying a daily cup of Laager Rooibos Tea \u2013 that reduce risk factors such as high blood pressure and cholesterol across all stages of life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Building Heart Health from the Start<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>1. Childhood and Teenage Years<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The foundations for a healthy heart are established early. Mbali says: \u201cHealthy habits developed during childhood can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life, before it even begins. Encouraging balanced meals, regular activity, and healthier drink choices early on sets the tone for lifelong wellbeing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span>At this stage, daily routines influence:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Long-term blood pressure patterns<\/li>\n<li>Weight regulation<\/li>\n<li>Taste preferences (i.e. a diet high in sugary foods and drinks can build a long term preference for these tastes)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>2. Adulthood<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In adulthood, heart disease risk develops gradually, often driven by everyday habits. \u201cOver time, negative patterns can contribute to conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, and type 2 diabetes,\u201d warns Mbali. \u201cMany people don\u2019t realise that it\u2019s not one single event that impacts heart health, but rather the cumulative effect of daily choices.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span>Common contributing factors include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>High stress levels<\/li>\n<li>Sedentary lifestyles<\/li>\n<li>Diets high in processed foods and sugary beverages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>3. Older Age<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>While ageing naturally places more strain on the heart, it\u2019s never too late to make positive changes. \u201cEven small adjustments \u2013 such as improving diet, drinking a daily cup of Laager Rooibos Tea, or increasing physical activity \u2013 can still make a meaningful difference,\u201d advises Mbali.<\/p>\n<p><span>As we grow older:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Blood vessels become less flexible<\/li>\n<li>Recovery slows<\/li>\n<li>Risk factors become more pronounced<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Simple Daily Habits That Support Heart Health<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span>Mbali emphasises that heart health does not need to be complicated. Instead, she encourages practical, achievable \u2018daily wins\u2019, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Move daily: Even a 20-minute walk can have long-term benefits.<\/li>\n<li>Eat more plants: Aim for vegetables to make up half your plate.<\/li>\n<li>Manage stress: Incorporate moments of calm, such as journaling or meditation.<\/li>\n<li>Prioritise sleep: Maintain consistent sleep routines.<\/li>\n<li>Balance red meat intake: Opt for more plant-based meals where possible.<\/li>\n<li>Rethink your drink: Choose beverages lower in sugar and caffeine-free, such as Laager Rooibos.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cHydration is often overlooked, but it plays a key role in overall health,\u201d she adds. \u201cChoosing options like Laager Rooibos Tea, either as a warm beverage or iced tea, can support hydration while providing added benefits.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Role of Laager Rooibos in Heart Health<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Rooibos tea, such as Laager Rooibos, offers a naturally caffeine-free, antioxidant-rich option that fits seamlessly into a heart-conscious lifestyle. Importantly, Laager Rooibos carries the Heart Mark from the Heart &amp; Stroke Foundation South Africa, reinforcing its position as a heart-smart choice for the whole family.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLaager Rooibos is a simple, accessible, and cost-friendly choice that I often recommend,\u201d says Mbali. \u201cIt\u2019s packed with antioxidants, supports hydration, and can be enjoyed throughout the day without the added sugars found in many beverages. As someone who works with the brand, I always aim to be transparent, and it\u2019s also a product I genuinely value for its practicality and health benefits in everyday life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1. Why is heart health important at every age?<br \/>Heart health is important at every age because cardiovascular disease develops over time, often starting with habits formed in childhood and continuing into adulthood. Maintaining healthy routines early \u2013 such as balanced nutrition, regular exercise and healthy drink choices like Laager Rooibos Tea \u2013 can help prevent high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart disease later in life.<\/p>\n<p>2. What are the best daily habits to improve heart health naturally?<br \/>The best daily habits to improve heart health naturally include regular physical activity, eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables and whole foods, managing stress, getting enough sleep, and choosing low-sugar, heart-friendly drinks like Laager Rooibos Tea. These simple lifestyle changes can support long-term cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of chronic disease.<\/p>\n<p>3. What brands are part of the Joekels tea range in South Africa?<br \/>Joekels produces and distributes several well-known beverage brands in South Africa, including Laager Rooibos, Tetley, Tea4Kidz, Tea Time and Society Coffee. These brands offer a wide range of options \u2013 from everyday blends to functional and family-friendly choices \u2013 designed to support different tastes, lifestyles and health needs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Keep Updated!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Find out more about Laager Rooibos, including health tips and fantastic Rooibos-infused recipes, by visiting www.joekels.co.za or following @LaagerRooibosTea on Facebook and Instagram. Laager Rooibos can be purchased from all major supermarkets, as well as online at www.joekels.co.za.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/contact\/featured\/\">CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Author<\/strong>: Agnes Matladi from <strong><a title class=\"aalmanual\" href=\"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/directory\/a\/olivia-jones-communications\/\">Olivia Jones Communications<\/a><strong> on behalf of <strong>Joekels<\/strong>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong><\/p>\n<h3>Track Your Press Release HERE:<\/h3>\n<p><\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"mypr-visibility-box\" readability=\"4.2608695652174\">\n<h4>Check Online Visibility<\/h4>\n<p>Verify where this release is currently indexed:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-pagination pagination\">Pages: <span class=\"post-page-numbers current\" aria-current=\"page\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Page <\/span>1<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/specialist-dietitian-outlines-why-heart-health-matters-at-every-age\/2\/\" class=\"post-page-numbers\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Page <\/span>2<\/a><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/specialist-dietitian-outlines-why-heart-health-matters-at-every-age\/\" target=\"_blank\">CLICK HERE to Read the Original Press Release on MyPR<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains one of South Africa\u2019s leading health concerns, accounting for nearly one in three deaths nationally, with many cases linked to preventable lifestyle factors. Alarmingly, around 80% of cardiovascular-related deaths occur in people younger than 65, highlighting the growing need for South Africans to prioritise heart health far earlier in life. As &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","autoblue_enabled":true,"autoblue_custom_message":"","autoblue_shares":[{"did":"did:plc:revymtt5qssww7e7avbruzic","date":"2026-07-01T17:43:39+00:00","uri":"at:\/\/did:plc:revymtt5qssww7e7avbruzic\/app.bsky.feed.post\/3mpm2xp3g5w2b","response":"{\"uri\":\"at:\/\/did:plc:revymtt5qssww7e7avbruzic\/app.bsky.feed.post\/3mpm2xp3g5w2b\",\"cid\":\"bafyreig3gsyfgnmldgdaaowxapkhiq3kohwtzb5r3fijdk5glfdj7oy57y\",\"commit\":{\"cid\":\"bafyreihpqr3ky2jmgtaid7raxn6ohd3buiadg4i2d6gjpdoqt52dpusvui\",\"rev\":\"3mpm2xp3nxw2b\"},\"validationStatus\":\"valid\"}"}],"autoblue_post_url":"","autoblue_publish_document":false,"republication-tracker-tool-hide-widget":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[29],"class_list":["type-post","category-news","tag-mypr-africa","entry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6471","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6471"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6471\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6471"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6471"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mypr.co.za\/mail\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6471"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}