This South American tea made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant has a long history of use by indigenous groups like the Guaraní. When Europeans arrived, it took them time to learn to cultivate the plant. Today, it is still popular in countries like Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. It provides a boost of energy from its caffeine. This tea also contains antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
The leaves have compounds similar to those in tobacco or grilled meat. Consumed moderately, this is not dangerous. But drinking large amounts for a long time may increase cancer risk. More study is needed on drinking it while pregnant or breastfeeding.
There are modern preparation methods like using a French press. But the traditional way is to brew it in a gourd with a metal straw. This straw filters out leaf fragments as you sip.
Why is yerba mate expensive?
The seeds only germinate after being digested by specific native birds. This makes commercial cultivation more difficult, making the herb more precious.
The environment affects the plant’s growth and flavor. It grows best in rainforest shade.
How much yerba mate should I drink?
However, some studies show that people who drink large amounts of hot mate over long periods may be at increased risk of certain cancers, like esophageal cancer. Smoking combined with drinking it greatly increases this risk. One explanation is that it contains carcinogenic compounds also found in tobacco smoke and grilled meat.
If you experience caffeine overdose symptoms after drinking it, reduce your caffeine intake. It likely poses little threat for healthy adults who drink it occasionally. But avoid drinking large amounts for prolonged periods, especially if you smoke.
With evidence in favor of it over coffee and tea, the question is: why wouldn’t you ditch them for it?
While coffee drinkers crash after a few hours, it provides stimulation and soothing due to theobromine. It also gives mental alertness lacking in coffee or tea.
It has more antioxidants than green tea because of its saponins and caffeoyl derivatives. These provide anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
Unlike coffee, it heals the digestive tract with prebiotics and nutrition. It lacks coffee’s acid-forming quality that exacerbates conditions like arthritis or gut issues.