What does drinking yerba mate tea do?
Mate is a plant native to South America. Its leaves are used to make mate tea. This tea is popular in Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil and Chile. To prepare mate, leaves are dried, chopped, ground, toasted and aged. Then they are packaged and sold. People drink mate tea throughout the day, often in social gatherings with family and friends. It has a similar amount of caffeine to coffee, but does not cause jitters. The tea contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is consumed both hot and cold. In summer, lemonade is sometimes added to make a cold drink called tereré. Mate has many health benefits. It gives sustained energy without crashing later. The tea drinking ritual connects people in South America and is an important part of the culture.
Are Mate Energy Drinks Healthy?
Mate is made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Mate provides a balanced energy boost compared to coffee, tea, cocoa, kola nut, and guarana. The effects are more sustained without crashing later. Drinking large amounts for long periods may increase cancer risk especially for smokers and alcohol drinkers. It can also stain teeth. However, studies show mate has health benefits like improving cholesterol, aiding weight loss, benefiting the heart, reducing inflammation, and lowering cancer risk. But more research is needed to confirm these. In South America, mate is a traditional beverage consumed daily. Beyond a daily habit, drinking mate together connects people emotionally and to their roots.
Does Drinking Mate Give You A Buzz?
Mate contains caffeine. Mate makes people feel more awake. Some need several cups to feel the energizing effects. Mate has a diuretic effect, helping the body eliminate toxins and purify itself. Mate provides an energy boost due to its caffeine content, which is linked to increased alertness, improved concentration, reduced fatigue, and enhanced physical performance. Mate doesn’t cause jitters like coffee can. South Americans safely drink 1–4 liters of mate per day. Avid drinkers consume at least 1–2 liters daily. Mate can be consumed all day, similar to coffee and tea in America. Swapping coffee for mate is a trend due to potential perks.
Is Mate Just Green Tea?
Ilex paraguariensis is a plant used for herbal tea in South America. Green tea is from an Asian and African plant. Both plants need about 3 years before first harvest. Mate gives more energy than green tea. Mate has more nutrients and antioxidants than green tea. Mate is more bitter with more intense flavor. Both mate and green tea have caffeine, and usually less than coffee.
Sharing mate brings people together. The cebador prepares and drinks the first mate to filter particles. Mate and green tea both have caffeine and antioxidants. Mate is harvested and brewed like tea.