Mate is a South American plant with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Its leaves are used to make a tea-like beverage consumed like coffee. Mate was originally used by indigenous people in parts of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina.
Today mate is consumed for its mental and physical health benefits which are higher than green tea or coffee. It provides an energy boost similar to coffee, but with more nutrients.
Though caffeinated like coffee, mate does not make the drinker jittery. It contains around 50 milligrams of caffeine per cup similar to coffee.
In terms of calories, one cup of mate contains 15 calories which is lower than green tea. Mate causes increased calorie burn, diuresis and appetite suppression which improve chances of weight loss. But it will not burn fat without exercise and diet.
Mate is generally considered safe but when taken in excess may cause side effects like insomnia, upset stomach, increased heart rate and inability to sleep.
Compared to coffee, mate provides a similar energy boost but with more nutrients. It also does not cause “crashes” the way coffee can. This is likely due to mate’s adaptogenic properties, meaning it helps regulate the body’s systems.
Mate provides an energy boost similar to coffee, but with more nutrients and less caffeine. It was called “the drink of the gods” by indigenous South Americans and later “the green gold of the Indios” by European settlers. First, mate has many evidence-based mental and physical health benefits. The antioxidants in mate are even higher than in green tea. It contains saponins with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties. They also reduce bad cholesterol and increase metabolism.
Although coffee, tea and mate have similar caffeine, mate has more nutrients.
- Favorite mates are:
- Amanda
- Rosamonte
- Cruz de Malta