This South American drink made from the leaves of the yerba mate plant has many health benefits but can also have risks if consumed improperly.
It is high in antioxidants and nutrients. It may support weight loss, increase energy, and reduce risk of heart disease. The main health risks come from drinking it at very hot temperatures over 149°F, not from the yerba mate itself. Hot mate is connected to higher cancer risk, especially esophageal cancer.
Pregnant women should not drink it unless approved by their doctor. Too much caffeine from it can increase miscarriage risk and risk of low birth weight babies. People with health conditions related to stimulants should use caution with mate due to its caffeine content.
It is traditionally drunk from a gourd with a metal straw called a bombilla. It can also be found as loose leaf tea, tea bags, instant powder, and ready to drink canned tea. Mate tea bags and loose leaf offer the most health benefits and control over strength.
Good brands include Guayaki, EcoTeas, Buddha Teas, and Kiss Me Organics. Mate can be purchased online through sites like Amazon and eBay which have the widest selection. It can also be found at some grocery stores and ethnic markets, often in the tea aisle or South American section.
It has antioxidants and won’t stain teeth. Mate is legal in the US. Purchase it at health food stores, often as loose leaf or tea bags. Use a metal tea strainer for loose leaf mate. Brew it with cool, fresh water over medium heat. Store mate similar to coffee.
It contains caffeine which can be addictive but does not cause hallucinations. Drinking mate daily may be safe for up to 12 weeks. Mate provides a natural high with sustained use, making people more open-minded and less self-centered.
Mainstream grocery stores sell EcoTeas and The Mate Factor. Find it in ethnic markets selling Brazilian or Paraguayan products. Supermarkets stock mate in the tea or international aisle.
It has the same caffeine as coffee but no caffeine crash. It has adaptogenic properties promoting calm. Unlike coffee, mate has a steady energy rise, so no jitters.
Refill it 10-30 times until flavor gone. Large, long-term intake may increase cancer risk. Adding milk reduces tooth staining.
Growing mate outside South America is possible with climate control. Mate is less potent than coffee in caffeine. It has vitamins and minerals so drinking lots is probably good.
Mate is commonly sipped continuously for hours. It’s often enjoyed socially by passing one gourd around a group. Mate is a traditional herb thought to enhance stamina. It’s grown uniquely, with seeds germinating after bird digestion.
Mate provides an energy boost due to its high caffeine content, which is linked to increased alertness, improved concentration, reduced fatigue, and enhanced physical performance. Mate has a steady rise in energy which gives a feel of stimulation to the drinker’s minds and bodies. That’s also why mate doesn’t give you the jitters, unlike coffee. This effect occurs from a combination of caffeine and theobromine.
What does yerba mate do to your brain? It might help boost mental function. Containing a moderate amount of caffeine, this drink’s brain-enhancing benefits are well known. Caffeine helps to motivate by stimulating the production of dopamine, the body’s natural “feel-good” neurotransmitter, which provides the “rush” when doing something enjoyable.
The best mate will give you a boost of energy without tasting bitter or being packed with sugar. The balance of these three things can be hard to find. It is a rare herbal tea in that it’s one of the few plants that naturally produce caffeine. Whether making it hot or cold, mate is a great herbal alternative to coffee.
The most common way of drinking mate is to continuously sip it, for several hours and adding more leaves or water as necessary. Each steep releases more flavor and nutrients from the mate, so this really is a drink you can pull on all day.
Because mate contains caffeine, many people think that drinking mate tea is similar to drinking coffee, but without the negative side effects that can accompany coffee. But, really, mate is so much more than just a different version of coffee or caffeinated herbal tea.