Yerba mate, like other varieties of tea, comes with a long history. This tea has been used in herbal remedies in some South American countries for years. Several of yerba mate’s attributed properties have also been verified through official studies. Below we’ll take a more in-depth look at some of the health benefits that belong to yerba mate.
What’s in Yerba Mate?
Yerba mate is made from the leaves of a rainforest holly tree found in South America. The name itself means the “mate herb.” The leaves contain natural caffeine and other substances that have an invigorating effect. Plenty of research has recently gone into the composition of yerba mate. This natural tea is loaded with many vitamins and some minerals with such diverse properties that yerba mate could nearly sustain life all on its own. Some of the components include:
- Caffeine levels between coffee and green tea, which has anti-antioxidant and stimulant properties
- Choline anti-diabetic lipotropic
- Rutin Antioxidant, an ulcer deterrent and anti-tumor promoter
- Pantothenic Acid, which is an anti-allergen, and has both anti-arthritic and anti-fatigue properties
- Ursolic Acid, which promotes analgesic, antioxidant, anti-carcinogen, anti-arrhythmic, and anti-Alzheimers qualities
- Vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B5, and B complex, all of which are important to the body
- 15 Amino Acids, the building blocks of protein
These are only part of the beneficial factors found in the plant used to make Yerba Mate. It’s no surprise that coffee houses are happy to offer it as an herbal tea, or that its use in South American remedies has been so long lived.
Effects Attributed to Drinking Yerba Mate
For those trying to avoid coffee, yerba mate can be a great alternative for a morning pick-me-up. It contains significant levels of caffeine, and in addition, as seen above, it contains other elements that promote healing and which are beneficial to health. If drank before light exercising, yerba mate can improve metabolism without affecting your energy. Finally, while there are no pharmaceutical cancer cures, many of the vitamins and minerals in yerba mate are thought to be helpful cancer-fighting agents.
The Yerba Mate Trend
Yerba mate has gained significant modern popularity through the years. Some of its success is due to the many health benefits associated with it, such as those mentioned earlier. Many people who dislike coffee have been able to replace it with yerba mate. Professional athletes have increased the drink’s popularity by utilizing it as an energy booster during training and events.
Traditional Brewing Method
In addition, the traditional method of drinking yerba mate has attracted many fans of the beverage. In many countries, yerba mate is traditionally prepared and consumed using a special gourd-like cup and a metal straw with a special filter. In some countries it’s traditional to share the gourd among friends, making having yerba mate a social event in itself. However, even if you don’t use the traditional gourd and straw, yerba mate is just as good from any container.
For more information about the benefits attributed to yerba mate tea, or to try a taste for yourself, visit Mochas & Javas, a family owned coffee shop with locations in Frisco and San Marcos, TX.
