What is Yerba Mate? 10 Yerba Mate tea benefits
Yerba mate is an herbal tea that has been drunk in South America for hundreds of years. Made by brewing the dried leaves and twigs of the mate plant in hot water, one of the tea’s amazing benefits is its ability to provide a caffeine boost, similar to that of coffee, but without the side effects of twitchiness or irritability that too much coffee can give you. It also includes an impressive amount of minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. If you are looking for a morning pick me up that doesn’t have all the downsides of coffee, then read what yerba mate could do for you:
1. Yerba Mate helps reduce anxiety and depression
Yerba mate has the ability to inhibit monoamine oxidase activity by up to 50% and it is this activity that has been linked to depression, anxiety and other mental health disorders.
2. Yerba Mate acts as a stimulant
The tea does contain caffeine and that will act as a stimulant, but it is believed that the other ingredients, found in yerba mate, help to offset the negative side effects of the caffeine. Many People have reported being able to drink yerba mate in the evenings, to keep them alert during a long night, but still be able to go sleep easily afterward.
3. Yerba Mate tea assists weight loss
Yerba mate tea benefits are very numerous. Yerba mate contains thermogenic compounds, which speed up the metabolism and burn fat faster. It also acts as an appetite suppressor and is now used in many weight loss products.
4. It aids digestion
Yerba Mate tea benefits include better digestion. The people of South America have been using yerba mate for centuries, as a treatment for digestive problems. The tea soothes the stomach and stimulates the production of bile and other stomach acids, which can ease digestive discomfort.
5. Yerba Mate helps prevent cardiovascular disease
Yerba mate contains amino acids and antioxidants that help to maintain the cardiovascular system in good working order. It helps stop cholesterol building up in the arteries and can help to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
6. It increases stamina and physical endurance, and boosts energy
The metabolism boosting properties of yerba mate will give you energy for longer and increase your physical endurance. The tea stimulates your body to use carbohydrates in the most efficient way, which increases the amount of energy you receive from your food.
7. Yerba Mate helps reduce high blood pressure
Yerba mate can be used to help lower blood pressure in people suffering with hypertension. The tea works as a vasodilator, which means that it relaxes and dilates the blood vessels, which in turn, allows blood to flow more freely.
8. It is very high in antioxidants
Yerba mate is very rich in antioxidants, it contains a lot more antioxidants than green tea. (Note: yerba mate contains different types of antioxidants, than green tea does; the main antioxidant in yerba mate tea is chlorogenic acid, while primary antioxidants in green tea are epigallocatechin gallate compounds or catechins). Antioxidants play an important role in maintaining a healthy immune system and can also prevent the development of several forms of cancer.
9. Yerba Mate helps improve concentration and mental alertness
The mixture of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, combined with the caffeine that yerba mate contains, improves concentration and mental alertness. Drinkers of yerba mate tea have reported that they are able to concentrate for far longer, and that they have a much sharper and clearer mind after drinking the tea.
10. It is packed with vitamins and minerals
Yerba mate is ideal for a morning drink to get you started and it’s another healthy alternative to coffee. It will still have the same pick-me-up effect that coffee has, but it also contains Vitamin C, Thiamine (B1), Carotene and Riboflavin (B2) too.
When buying yerba mate tea, it’s better to purchase an organic version.
Precautions:
Yerba mate does contain caffeine, therefore, anyone who is for one or another reason is sensitive to it – pregnant or nursing ladies or people with nervous disorders, for example – should consult the doctor before consuming yerba mate. Also, according to certain sources, high consumption of this tea may increase the risk of certain types of cancers. Moderation is the key!
What are other yerba mate tea benefits that you would like to add to our list?
Feel free to share them in the comment section below.
Stay happy!