It wasn’t until mate became more popularized and reached global markets that unsmoked mate started to come about. Many negative connotations are already associated with smoking of any kind, so naturally, you can assume this spread like wildfire. We now see articles coming out with sensational headlines like Drinking this tea is as dangerous as ‘smoking 100 cigarettes’. But anyone with common sense will realize ingesting and inhaling are two completely different things.
The health benefits of mate provides the same benefits as unsmoked mate. Understanding the effects of different smoking temperatures is crucial in achieving the desired flavor profile.
First, using boiling water can make your mate taste extremely bitter. We are now entering into a new paradigm where you can be protected from EMF radiation while still using modern day technology.
- On a study done on mice, mate also reduced the accumulation of fat. The caffeine contents in the herb can also affect weight loss by helping to boost your metabolism. Saponins and caffeine can have health benefits on one’s memory too.
While cigarette smoking is absolutely harmful to health, smoking other organic herbs can have some surprising benefits to health and vitality.
- Studies show PAHs can affect the immune, reproductive, and neurological systems. They can also cause developmental effects and increase cancer risk.
Smoke-drying is one popular way mate leaves are prepared. Smoke-dried leaves possess a stronger flavour. With smoke-dried mate, the negative health effects of the smoke may cancel the positive health effects of the mate. Air-drying takes longer and produces a tea with a milder taste, but is far healthier.
Drinking mate only between meals lessens any harm of iron loss. Traditional brands can contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), a carcinogen in smoked foods. Researchers are working with producers to develop efficient drying methods to avoid PAHs.
- Some believe mate decreases cholesterol, protects the liver, stimulates the brain, and protects the heart.
Mate provides an energy boost similar to coffee. But it has less caffeine and more nutrients than coffee. It has compounds that have beneficial health effects. These include polyphenols, saponins, and xanthines.
There are two main types of mate – smoked and unsmoked. Smoked mate takes on some flavor from the smoke during drying. This can result in a richer taste. Unsmoked mate is not exposed to smoke. So it has a milder flavor.
The best tasting mate tea comes from leaves grown in the shade. These leaves are more flavorful and nutrient-rich than leaves grown in the sun.
Mate is made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It’s commonly consumed in South America. It has some health benefits but drinking large amounts for a long time may increase cancer risk. The smoking process used to dry mate leaves produces cancer-causing chemicals. Mate contains antioxidants and nutrients. It may enhance physical and mental performance. Using it with alcohol or smoking increases cancer risk. Drinking too much can cause overstimulation and sleep issues. Pregnant women should limit caffeine intake from mate and other sources. Replacing coffee with mate can reduce caffeine dependence. Mate is an acquired taste that’s traditionally consumed socially in South America. It has some risks but mate can be part of a healthy lifestyle if consumed in moderation.