What is maté?
Maté is a plant native to South America. Its leaves are used to make a tea-like beverage. Maté, also called yerba, has been consumed by indigenous peoples of South America for centuries. It was traditionally used in ceremonies with singing and dancing. The dried, ground leaves can be steeped like tea. Maté is often mixed with ingredients like sugar.
Health effects
This drink can have stimulating or sedating effects depending on the amount consumed. The health effects of maté have been studied. Concerns remain over its safety.
Maté may help support metabolism, which is the rate at which calories are burned at rest. It also has antimicrobial properties. The amount of caffeine per cup is less than coffee but more than tea. Caffeine provides an energy boost but maté does so smoothly without causing jitters.
Drinking very hot maté over time could harm the mouth and esophagus. Using an appropriate water temperature when preparing it is important.
Maté is unlikely to help with weight loss on its own without diet and exercise. But it may provide benefits when combined with an already healthy lifestyle.
Nutritional content
Maté contains around 30-50 calories per cup, making it a low-calorie alternative to high-calorie drinks. Choosing maté can help reduce calorie intake and potentially aid in weight loss.
One serving of maté (50 grams diluted in 500 ml of water) contains approximately:
- 30 calories
- 78 mg of caffeine
- Vitamins and minerals
- Antioxidants
The low calorie and sodium content makes maté an ideal drink for weight loss or maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Health risks
Some studies suggest drinking 1-2 liters of maté daily for long periods may increase cancer risk. More research is needed to confirm this potential link.
In conclusion, maté is a healthy, energizing, low-calorie drink. Consumed moderately, it can be part of a healthy lifestyle.
Background on maté
Maté has significantly less sugar than most caffeinated beverages. This reduction in sugar allows for the benefits of maté to shine through without the negative impact of excess sugar consumption.
Maté comes from an ancient shrub originally used by people who occupied parts of Paraguay, Brazil, and Argentina.
Caffeine and taste
Maté contains 85 mg of caffeine per cup, falling between coffee and tea. As with tea and coffee, the brewing time can affect the caffeine level.
Perhaps maté’s most exciting feature is that it provides the same caffeine-based energy boost as coffee, but without coffee’s jitteriness.
Besides the difference in caffeine, green tea has a lighter, arid taste and a shorter steep time compared to maté.
Maté stimulates the nervous system and is commonly consumed as an energy booster. It is traditionally enjoyed hot with a filtered straw. The plant produces a strong, bitter drink similar to green tea.
Health precautions
Pregnant women should limit maté tea to 3 cups or less per day since too much caffeine negatively affects pregnancy outcomes.
Caffeine content
Both provide caffeine. But maté has more health benefits. Maté is a South American drink made from the Ilex paraguariensis plant leaves. It has a rich, earthy flavor. It contains healthy compounds like antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. It provides gentler and more sustained energy than coffee.
An 8-ounce coffee typically has around 95 milligrams of caffeine. Maté has 30-50 milligrams per cup. Coffee’s higher caffeine often makes it more potent.
Maté has around 85 milligrams of caffeine per cup. Coffee has 95 milligrams per cup. So maté has less caffeine than coffee but more than black tea. It gives some of coffee’s focus and mood boost, but less.
Other considerations
Coffee also has health benefits.
Start with moderate maté amounts. Increase slowly to find the ideal quantity and frequency. Too much maté caffeine can cause side effects like coffee.
Don’t prepare maté with too hot water. This can harm mouth and esophagus over time.
Both provide caffeine. But maté has less caffeine than coffee. Both have health benefits and risks.