The South American drink is made from the dried leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It is served in a wooden and metal cup, a hollow calabash gourd or an animal horn called guampa. The beverage has been consumed for centuries as a social and medicinal drink.
Some research suggests it may have antioxidant and anticarcinogenic properties similar to green tea. However, further research is necessary.
It contains compounds like xanthines, chlororic acid, vitamins and minerals. It provides an energy boost similar to coffee, but with less caffeine. The tea aids weight loss, promotes digestion, boosts the immune system, improves circulation and protects the heart.
Health Benefits and Risks
Drinking it regularly may help lower blood pressure and protect cardiovascular health due to its vasodilators that relax blood vessels, increasing circulation.
However, its stimulant effects could cause complications like increased blood pressure for those with heart disease or arrhythmias.
Popularity and Preparation
It is consumed widely in Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and Southern Brazil where it outnumbers coffee.
The origins are filled with folklore. It was first brewed by the natives of the Guarani and Tupi communities.
It has a strong earthy flavor with a mildly bitter, grassy undertone and a eucalyptus scent. It contains caffeine like coffee and green tea but does not make the drinker jittery. It has adaptogenic properties which means it can regulate the body’s systems.
It is drunk from a hollowed out gourd called a “calabash” or “mate.” A bombilla, a thick, curved straw with a filter, is used to drink it.
Unlike coffee, it provides steady energy and stimulation without side effects like jitteriness. It also has diuretic and laxative effects which help purify the body.
It is considered to have medicinal qualities and enhance alertness. Some drink up to 1-2 liters per day, similar to coffee consumption. It can be consumed all day without ill effects.
The South American tribal groups who first made this beverage centuries ago considered it a gift from the gods. Many would still agree today that it is a healthy, energizing drink connected to the region’s history and Indigenous heritage.
Safety Concerns
It is commonly brewed into a tea called mate. Mate contains caffeine and can be addictive. It also has antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals that may benefit health.
Mate drinking also became popular among gauchos (South American cowboys).
Today, mate remains a popular social drink in parts of South America. It’s often sipped continuously for hours. The slight bitterness is an acquired taste that many enjoy.
However, mate may increase cancer risk due to containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). More research on mate’s safety is needed.