Overview
Mate is a plant native to South America. Its leaves are used to make a tea-like drink consumed for its stimulant effects. Mate contains caffeine, theobromine and antioxidants. It provides an energy boost similar to coffee, with slightly less caffeine.
The indigenous Guaraní first cultivated mate in parts of modern-day Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. They used mate as a currency prior to European colonization. Today, mate remains a popular drink in countries like Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and parts of Brazil. Surveys show that the majority of households in Argentina drink mate every day.
Mate tea has an earthy and bitter taste. The flavor has been compared to coffee, dark chocolate and green tea. Traditionally, mate is prepared in a hollow gourd and consumed through a filtered straw.
Benefits
Some key health benefits of mate are:
- Increases energy
- Enhances athletic performance
- Suppresses appetite and aids weight loss
- Improves mood and focus
- Boosts immunity
The caffeine in mate works with other compounds to provide an energy boost. This can enhance both physical and mental performance.
Mate naturally contains nutrients needed by the body. Regularly drinking mate tea improves your immune system, detoxifies your body, and prevents diseases. In addition to antioxidants and polyphenols, mate has minerals, amino acids and vitamins.
Nutrients
Mate boasts 196 active compounds, including:
- Vitamins
- Minerals
- Amino acids
- Antioxidants
It provides increased energy, better focus, and improved mood.
History
Yerba Mate was known by indigenous peoples as an herb “from the gods” used for physical stamina and medicinal purposes. It is starting to become popular worldwide as an alternative to coffee. Often mate is served in a hollow calabash gourd with a metallic drinking straw known as Bombilla and is shared among friends as a sign of friendship and bond.