Every year, it seems like a new lineup of “superfoods” are discovered – celery, kale, and bone broth were among 2020’s most popular food trends. But while some of these trends have few scientific findings to stand on, yerba mate ( liveamaz.com/Yerba-Mate-Drink ) isn’t one of them. Yerba mate is a traditional South American brew that is affectionately referred to as the “drink of the gods” by the Indigenous peoples of Paraguay and Southern Brazil because of its ability to boost energy levels and provide health benefits. Its popularity spread further thanks to Argentinian gauchos or “cowboys,” who relied on the herb for physical stamina during cattle drives and harvest days. From there, Europeans found the drink and began to harvest their own yerba mate crops.
The Mental & Physical Benefits of Yerba Mate
Yerba mate is an herbal tea made from the leaves and twigs of the evergreen holly, which grows in South America. The leaves are gathered and dried over a fire before being steeped in hot water to make tea. The most known benefits of yerba mate are increased energy, enhanced mental clarity, alertness, focus, and concentration. Other benefits include:
1. Yerba mate contains many beneficial antioxidants and nutrients, like Xanthines, Caffeoyl derivatives, Saponins, and Polyphenols. Not only are these linked to the reduced risk of a variety of diseases, but they also act as stimulants and anti-inflammatories.
2. While a cup of yerba mate contains less caffeine than coffee, it contains more than tea, which makes it an excellent option for those in need of a moderate energy boost without the jittery side effects of coffee.
3. Since yerba mate contains caffeine, it causes an increase in physical performance. One study has shown that consuming a one-gram capsule of ground yerba mate leaves right before exercising burned 24% more fat during a workout than without.
4. Although more research is needed to confirm this finding, preliminary students suggest yerba mate contains compounds which protect against intestinal parasites; fungus linked to scaly skin, dandruff, and certain skin rashes; and E. coli, which causes diarrhea and stomach pain for those who ingest it.
5. A 12-week study conducted on a group of people, which included giving them 3 grams of yerba mate powder per day, lead to an average weight lost of 1.5 pounds.
6. Although more research is needed to confirm this finding, yerba mate may improve insulin signaling and lower blood sugar.
Preparing Yerba Mate Tea
There are many ways to enjoy yerba mate, but the easiest way is to brew it with tea bags or loose mate leaves using fresh, filtered water. Yerba mate is quite similar to green tea ( https://liveamaz.com/blog-custom ) in that it should be steeped in hot water rather than boiling. It can also be prepared via:
- French press: yerba mate can be prepared the same way as a morning cup of coffee.
- For a truly authentic experience, yerba mate is served in a gourd, also known as a calabash, with a silver straw.