Yerba Mate leaves are traditionally infused in a small container, using the filtering straw and by adding hot water. It has high antioxidant content. The mate tea has a strong, earthy, bitter taste.
Drinking yerba mate may help cholesterol, weight loss, the heart, inflammation and cancer risk. More research is needed to confirm these.
South Americans safely drink 1–4 liters of yerba mate per day. In United States and Europe, mate drinkers consume at least 1–2 liters daily. It contains 85 mg caffeine per cup, comparable to coffee. It’s best to drink yerba mate in the morning or after meals.
Consumed in moderation, it provides vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and more. Too much of anything is rarely good.
Most common preparation method is steeping dried leaves in hot water and sipping through a metal straw called a bombilla. Sharing the South American tea fosters social bonding. It’s the national drink of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The herbal infusion contains caffeine. It has a reputation as an antioxidant-packed, jitter-free alternative to coffee and tea, and is gaining popularity.
It is a traditional South American tea made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It contains caffeine and beneficial plant compounds. It is often consumed socially and has deep cultural roots in countries like Argentina and Uruguay.
It may aid metabolism and fat burning, but more evidence is needed. It provides a natural energy boost, though effects are milder than coffee.
Pregnant women can consume it in moderation, but should know it has caffeine. Those sensitive to caffeine should drink the infusion in moderation or choose decaf versions.
Traditionally drunk from a gourd using a special straw. It has a strong, earthy flavor and can be served hot or cold.
If you have overdose symptoms like nausea or insomnia, reduce your intake. The tea poses little threat to healthy adults who drink it occasionally.