Health benefits
The tea provides many health benefits. It contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and caffeine. Yerba mate has been shown to boost energy, improve mental focus, enhance physical performance, aid digestion, promote weight loss, and stimulate the immune system. The caffeine content is less than coffee but more than traditional tea.
Origins and preparation
The leaves originate from South America where consumed for centuries. The leaves are dried over a fire then brewed with hot water in a hollow gourd and drunk through a metal straw. It is served at 80 degrees Celsius. In South America it is common to drink 1-4 liters per day, but in North America 1-2 liters is more typical for avid drinkers.
The best time to drink it is in the morning or with meals, especially those high in protein and low in carbohydrates. It should be avoided in the evening due to the caffeine content which can disrupt sleep. Very high doses may be unsafe if consumed regularly over an extended period of time and can possibly increase cancer risk. However more research is still needed on the potential side effects.
Availability
It is available for purchase online from retailers like Buddha Teas and can also be found in some health food stores. It is important to choose high-quality organic over mass-produced varieties.
Concerns
Who should not take it?
Description
It is a tea-like drink from South America with a strong, bitter, vegetal taste. It has been consumed for centuries by indigenous communities and also immigrants in places like Syria and Poland.
Benefits
It provides a range of health benefits. It contains a high amount of antioxidants which improve the body’s defenses and prevent cell aging. The antioxidant capacity is approximately 90 percent higher than that of green tea.
It also helps relieve fatigue, aids weight loss, eases depression, and treats headaches. It protects heart health by reducing blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL cholesterol. The vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and abundance of polyphenols support the immune system and overall health.
Risks
High temperature smoking in processing may produce carcinogens.
Preparing and consuming
When preparing it, use one tea bag per cup of water, or traditional loose leaves in a gourd with a filtered metal straw. Quality varies between brands in terms of smoking method, smoothness, and strength of flavor. It is now widely available online and in health food stores for convenient access to the unique energizing and nutritional benefits.