Bioavailability and antioxidant potential of rooibos flavonoids in humans following the consumption of different rooibos formulations

► Different flavonoids of green rooibos were found intact in human plasma. ► This is also true for its main flavonoid aspalathin (a dihydrochalcone C-glucoside). ► Quantified amounts of target compounds point to a very limited bioavailability. ► In urine different metabolites of aspalathin and of its aglycone were identified. ► The main metabolite excreted was methylated aspalathin.