What’s wrong with yerba mate?
Maté is an herbal tea traditionally consumed in South America. Like black or green tea, it has caffeine.
Health Benefits
Drinking yerba mate isn’t linked to health problems in most adults. Some studies suggest that the tea may have helpful effects on cholesterol, weight loss, the heart, inflammation and cancer risk. But more research is needed.
There are an estimated 85 milligrams of caffeine per cup of yerba mate tea, which is slightly less than the average cup of coffee.
If you have anything wrong with your kidneys or heart you should not take this herb at all.
- Maté helps with physical performance. The energy boost will help athletes perform better.
- Yerba mate could also potentially reduce body fat, boost metabolism, and reduce appetite which can help with weight loss.
Evidence suggests that this herbal supplement can help protect people from diabetes.
The plant has been seen as a moneymaking commodity since Europeans first arrived in the Americas. There’s some evidence that yerba mate can help you lose weight by boosting your energy expenditure, decreasing your appetite, burning fat, and enhancing insulin sensitivity.
Comparison to Coffee
Why doesn’t yerba mate make you jittery?
- Maté contains around 30-50 milligrams of caffeine per cup, lower than coffee or energy drinks.
- This moderate caffeine is often well-tolerated, making yerba mate popular for a gentler energy boost.
- Additionally, yerba mate offers antioxidant properties, potential weight loss support, and improved mental focus.
- Yerba mate provides a steady rise in energy which doesn’t cause jitters or anxiety.
| Coffee | Yerba Mate | |
|---|---|---|
| Caffeine | 96-200mg | 24-85mg |
| Antioxidants | Low | High |
| Nutrients | Few | Many |
Cultural Significance
In United States, Canada, and Europe, it’s not uncommon for an avid yerba mate drinker to consume at least 1–2 liters per day. Traditionally, yerba mate leaves were chewed or steeped in hot water to make tea. In Brazil, this herb is used to boost energy, for digestive complaints, nerve pain, depression, fatigue, and to support weight loss.
In Jerry and Janet’s household, Janet can no longer get her hands on that yerba mate. Jerry has taken to sneaking it away to a secret hiding spot. As a food and beverage journalist, I understand the importance of daily routines and how household dynamics can influence our beverage choices.
What Makes Yerba Mate Special?
Yerba mate is a plant native to South America. Its leaves are dried, chopped, ground, and brewed into a tea-like beverage that’s popular in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and parts of Brazil. Yerba mate has been consumed for centuries and was traditionally called "the drink of the gods" by indigenous South Americans before later being referred to as "the green gold of the Indios" by European settlers.
The yerba mate plant is an evergreen holly that grows in the subtropical forests of South America. When harvested, the leaves and twigs are dried, aged, and ground into a powder or chopped coarser consistency before being steeped in hot (not boiling) water.
Yerba mate is often compared to coffee or tea, but has a more earthy, bitter, and tobacco-like flavor. The brew contains less caffeine than coffee but more nutrients like antioxidants, amino acids, and vitamins. This gives yerba mate a unique combination of gentle stimulation along with prolonged mental clarity and focus.
The taste, potency, and effects of yerba mate can vary depending on specific growing conditions, processing methods, age of the leaves, and regional varieties. Argentine yerba mate tends to be more powdery, milder, and higher in caffeine while Paraguayan style mate is more leafy, intense, and balanced. Both offer a cultural tradition and daily habit for millions of South Americans.