Are you looking for a powerful alternative to coffee that gives you just as much energy? Meet Yerba Maté! Yerba Maté is an herbal beverage derived from the Ilex paraguariensis tree, native to South America. Yerba Maté can be prepared hot or cold and contains natural vitamins, minerals, antioxidant flavonoids, stimulating xanthines (such as caffeine), and saponins that have powerful immune-boosting effects. Today, we’ll tell you more about this special beverage.
What is Yerba Maté?
Yerba maté is a beverage brewed from the dried leaves and stems of the South American Ilex paraguarensis tree. It is a stimulating beverage rich in vitamins and minerals. Yerba Maté also has a stimulating effect and improves mental clarity. Yerba Maté contains caffeine, but users often experience fewer of its negative side effects when consuming this beverage.
Yerba mate was originally discovered by indigenous tribes in the forests of Paraguay and southern Brazil. The Guarani and Tupi tribes, respectively, also referred to the herb as “divine.” In addition to being used to boost the stamina of warriors and farmers, the herb was also used for various other purposes. It was a highly spiritual herb that often found its way into religious and spiritual ceremonies. At the same time, Argentine gauchos (cowboys) used the herb during food shortages or during long workdays.
Yerba Maté is rich in antioxidants and nutrients
Yerba mate contains various beneficial nutrients that can help your body in different ways, including:
- Xanthines: These compounds act as stimulants. They contain caffeine and theobromine, which are also found in tea, coffee, and chocolate.
- Caffeoyl derivatives: These compounds are the most important health-promoting antioxidants in tea.
- Saponins: These bitter compounds have certain anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties.
- Polyphenols: This is a large group of antioxidants linked to a reduced risk of many diseases.
Interestingly, the antioxidant power of Yerba Maté tea appears to be slightly higher than that of green tea. Furthermore, Yerba Maté contains seven of the nine essential amino acids, as well as nearly all the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Considering these aspects, Yerba Maté is an incredibly healthy beverage!
Yerba Maté gives you a significant energy boost and improves your focus
Yerba mate has a mild flavor and contains less caffeine than coffee, but more than a cup of tea. Just like any other caffeinated food or drink, it can boost your energy levels and make you feel less tired. Caffeine can have various effects on your brain, including altering the levels of certain neurotransmitters. It is particularly beneficial for your mental focus because it influences the levels of certain signaling molecules in your brain. In some human studies, participants who took a single dose of 37.5–450 mg of caffeine reported improved attention, short-term memory, and reaction time. So, with the amount of caffeine in Yerba Maté, you’re in good shape when it comes to these aspects! Furthermore, people who consume yerba mate claim that it increases attention and alertness, similar to coffee, without causing the jittery side effects.
Yerba Maté may protect you against infections
Yerba Maté is also known as “the tea of life” because it has been used for centuries by people throughout Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and southern Brazil to combat infections caused by bacteria, parasites, or fungi. Yerba Maté contains polyphenols (plant-based antioxidants) believed to offer protection against malignant cells developing in our bodies. According to some, compounds in yerba mate may also prevent the growth of Malassezia furfur, a fungus responsible for flaky skin, dandruff, and certain rashes. In addition, some studies suggest that a high dose of yerba mate extract deactivated E. coli, a bacterium that causes food poisoning symptoms such as stomach cramps and diarrhea.
Yerba Mate Can Help You Lose Weight
Do you really want a toned stomach this summer? Yerba maté might be able to help with that, too! Animal studies show that yerba maté can reduce appetite and boost metabolism, which can aid in weight loss. It appears to reduce the total number of fat cells and decrease the amount of fat they store. Human research suggests that it may also increase the amount of stored fat that is burned for energy. Furthermore, in a 12-week study of overweight individuals, those who took 3 grams of yerba mate extract per day lost an average of 0.7 kg and had a waist-to-hip ratio that was 2% lower than before. By comparison, participants who received a placebo gained an average of 2.8 kg and increased their waist-to-hip ratio by 1% over the same 12-week period.
How do you prepare Yerba Mate?
Yerba mate is traditionally served in a cup or bottle called a gourd. It is usually drunk through a metal straw—the bombilla—with a filter at the bottom to strain out the leaf particles. To prepare mate, fill the bottom third of the calabash with dried or roasted mate leaves before adding hot water. The tea is often served with caramelized sugar, lemon juice, or milk and can be refilled with hot water several times before new leaves are used to make a fresh batch. Although traditionally consumed hot, yerba mate can also be served cold. This is primarily done in warm climates.
Additional Information
A healthy lifestyle is important, as is a varied, balanced diet, for which dietary supplements are not a substitute. Keep out of reach of young children. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. Store in a cool, dry, and dark place. If you have medical conditions, are taking medication, are pregnant, or are breastfeeding, consult your doctor, pharmacist, or a healthcare professional before use. Discontinue use immediately if you experience any adverse side effects from this product. The health effects listed above have not yet been officially established.
