Yerba Mate Benefits
Throughout history, people have been enjoying the many Yerba Mate benefits, especially due to its medicinal properties. Some of the Yerba Mate Benefits include getting a boost of energy and lessening fatigue, reducing chances of obesity, and slowing oxidation processes in our body.
This potent drink originated from the Brazil as well as Paraguay and is touted as the national drink in dozens of countries within South America. Since then, it has made its way to the United States, supplying a great alternative for millions of coffee drinkers. Yerba Mate has since become a true beverage trend.
Many people drink Yerba Mate as a coffee substitute due to the Yerba Mate benefits and side effects, to experience a caffeine boost without suffering from the shakes and/or crash that follows. The Yerba Mate caffeine effect is based on the fact that Yerba Mate contains about twice the amount of caffeine as black tea, but less than half of that found in coffee.
Additional Yerba Mate benefits:
its influence in reducing obesity. Some lab studies have shown that it improves blood flow, and reduces the accumulation of body fat. It is also considered an aid in improving metabolism, as it flushes harmful toxins out of the body. Since reduced obesity lessens the risk of heart disease, this may be another Yerba Mate side effect.
More Yerba Mate benefits are provided by the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that keep us healthy, including vitamins B and C, manganese, potassium and zinc.
There are some concerns that in addition to the well documented positive Yerba Mate benefits, it also has some side effects. Yerba Mate has been associated with certain types of cancer, specifically in the mouth, esophagus and lungs. Some compare drinking copious amounts of Yerba Mate to smoking a pack of cigarettes a day. People who smoke in conjunction with drinking Yerba Mate may be at even higher risk. Although the studies may not be conclusive, it is generally agreed that the traditional way of drinking the tea may not be the healthiest way to obtain Yerba Mate benefits.
In South America, the Yerba Mate Benefits have been well known for centuries. Drinking Yerba Mate is as much a cultural tradition as a medicinal one. It is customary to drink Yerba Mate out of a gourd, through a metal straw that filters the leaves. The leaves are put in the bottom of the gourd and hot water poured on top. The gourd is then passed around a group of friends, and periodically topped up with more water as needed. This manner of preparation exposes the drinker to more carcinogens than if the leaves were discarded and a new brew prepared.
List of Yerba Mate Benefits
- Reducing fatigue
- Increasing libido
- Reducing blood pressure
- Balancing sleep patterns
- Strengthening the immune system
- Breaking down fat
- Increasing strength and endurance
- Increasing creativity
- Reducing cholesterol
Despite all the benefits yerba mate has to offer, as with all herbal products, you should consult with a physician before starting to consume large amounts of mate. Smart consumption is the key to enjoying all the Yerba Mate Benefits.
