The infusion is a tea made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant native to South America. It has been consumed in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay for centuries due to its many health benefits.
It contains polyphenols and antioxidants that may protect against heart disease and cancer. Studies show it can also boost metabolism, suppress appetite, improve focus and physical endurance. However, its caffeine content means pregnant women should limit intake.
The leaves are dried, aged, roasted and steeped to make the tea. It has a stronger, more bitter taste compared to coffee or green tea. It provides a smooth, sustained energy lift without an energy crash later.
With its natural stimulant properties, vitamins and nutrients, mate is considered a healthy energizing beverage. It has grown in popularity beyond South America to other regions worldwide.
What does chimarrão do to your body?
Mate is an infusion, typical of Argentina and Uruguay, whose tradition has spread to other parts of the world for its wonderful health benefits. It’s prepared with ground-up leaves that are put into a recipient and hot water is poured in. You can drink it bitter, with sugar, or with a lemon or orange peel.
It provides an energy boost due to its high caffeine content, which is linked to increased alertness, improved concentration, reduced fatigue, and enhanced physical performance. It is full of compounds that have beneficial effects. It contains caffeine, theophylline, potassium, and antioxidants.
The tea can be consumed hot or cold. It’s made by steeping dried leaves in hot water and can be drunk plain or with sugar. It is rich in polyphenols and saponins which provide many health benefits. Research shows it may boost weight loss, improve blood sugar control, enhance mental focus, boost immunity, improve heart health, and more.
Some potential side effects are increased heart rate and blood pressure when consumed in excess. Those with anxiety or heart conditions should moderate intake. Typical servings provide less caffeine than coffee but more than traditional tea.
To prepare it, fill the bottom third of the gourd with dried leaves before adding hot water, or use a tea strainer filled with leaves set in a mug. You can also brew it up using a French press. Bags are also available for convenience. For iced tea, it can be prepared ahead of time and kept chilled. Some sports drinks and gels include extract to provide an extra caffeine boost.
What are the side effects of mate?
The infusion is called mate in Spanish-speaking countries or chimarrão in Brazil. It is prepared by filling a container with dry leaves and twigs of I. paraguariensis and filling it with 158-176 °F water. The traditional ritual is described as “gourd herb”. The gourd is topped with hot water below boiling to not burn the leaves.
It contains caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine which are natural stimulants. A cup contains 30mg caffeine providing gentle energy boost without jitteriness from coffee. It also contains antioxidants that can interfere with absorbing certain medications like antibiotics and antidepressants.
- Excess mate can lead to side effects like:
- stomach upset
- diarrhea
- acid reflux
- increased cortisol levels
- Nausea usually happens from drinking very strong mate caused by polyphenols
- Diarrhea is the most common short-term side effect even at low doses
Does Ilex paraguariensis give you a buzz?
It provides an energy boost similar to coffee, but with less caffeine and more nutrients. It contains compounds like flavonoids, saponins, vitamins, tannins, and polyphenols that can help prevent oxidative damage, regulate energy metabolism, and modulate antioxidant enzymes.
Traditionally consumed in central and southern regions of the continent, it has more recently gained popularity in North America and Europe.
When served cold, it’s called tereré in Guaraní. The leaves are steeped in hot water but not boiling to avoid bitterness. It’s sipped from a dried gourd called a calabash through a filtered straw known as a bombilla.
While it contains less caffeine than coffee, it provides a more balanced energy boost. The natural compounds work synergistically to provide alertness and concentration without jitters or fatigue afterward.
So for those seeking a healthier, more sustainable pick-me-up than coffee or energy drinks, mate is an excellent option. Just be mindful of safety concerns during pregnancy and breastfeeding.