South Americans are known to enjoy a traditional drink called Yerba Mate, which is prepared by steeping the stems and leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. This tea is said to offer the happiness of having chocolate, the invigorating effects of tea, and stimulants like coffee.
Yerba Mate is a central nervous system-stimulating beverage that contains a small amount of caffeine. This drink contains various nutrients, such as minerals, vitamins, polyphenols, amino acids, and antioxidants. It is safe for consumption and has a plethora of health benefits.
Top Health Benefits Of Yerba Mate Tea
It is said to be more beneficial than green tea, as it contains phytochemicals, antioxidants, and flavonoids that improve overall health. We have compiled the top ways it helps and is effective in the long run.
1. Maintains The Health Of Immune System
Compared to green tea, Yerba Mate is loaded with various antioxidants, such as chlorogenic acid. This plays a pivotal role in healing and maintaining the overall health of the immune system while preventing infections. It also keeps various forms of cancer away by flushing away the toxins and the effects of free radicals.
It is rich in saponins, natural emulsifiers that promote the immune system’s functions. The potent antioxidant polyphenols, plant-based compounds that control the overactive immune response, help prevent seasonal allergies, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.
2. Improves Mental Functions
The tea prepared with the Yerba Mate plant is rich in polyphenols, amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which make it have a positive effect on mental functions. As it has caffeine, the drink can improve mental focus, give better clarity, and help people feel rejuvenated.
However, one need not worry about the side effects of caffeine, as it does not cause jitters, stomach pain, or headaches.
3. Offers Balanced Energy Boost
Yerba Mate is widely used to get an energy boost, as it has antioxidants and stimulants that maintain energy levels. This is why the beverage is preferred by sports people to deliver excellent physical performance. Those who are suffering from physical fatigue and mental stress or experiencing chronic fatigue syndrome can drink Yerba Mate tea. It has mateine, a unique compound that gradually improves energy levels.
4. Aids In Quick Digestion
The natives of South America have used the beverage made from Yerba Mate as a home remedy for treating all kinds of digestive issues. It is effective in treating indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, etc. Its antibacterial properties help combat E. coli and prevent food poisoning.
The saponins in Yerba Mate kill parasites in the intestines. They also provide quick relief from digestive discomfort by stimulating bile production and gastric acids. They can soften fecal matter to greatly ease bowel movements.
5. Tackles Low Blood Pressure Levels
Yerba Mate can naturally improve low blood pressure levels, making it an apt choice for those suffering from such conditions. This drink performs like a vasodilator by relaxing and dilating the blood vessels to help blood flow without any hassles.
6. Soothes The Nervous System
Yerba Mate acts like a nerve tonic, stimulating the depressed and weak nervous system while soothing the overexcited nerves. It helps people focus more on work or study while keeping away anxiety, mental fatigue, and agitation. This drink improves mood, lowers depression, and balances sleep cycles.
This beverage stimulates the neurotransmitter in the brain to promote dopamine secretion, which helps people stay very focused and productive. It also promotes REM, or Rapid Eye Movement, while sleeping and increases deep sleep duration.
7. Offers Cardiovascular Support
Yerba Mate helps prevent or treat various types of heart ailments, as it provides the essential nutrients for heart health and repair. It promotes oxygen supply to the heart, even while performing workouts and stressed-out activities. Bodybuilders and athletes can drink this beverage, as it can maintain aerobic glycolysis or the breaking down of carbohydrates during long hours of exercise.
It also delays anaerobic glycolysis, prevents lactic acid buildup, improves cardiac efficiency, and lowers blood pressure. It is very useful for heart conditions like irregular heartbeat and heart failure. The presence of theobromine soothes and relaxes the blood vessels while protecting the cardiovascular system.
8. Combats Colon Cancer Cells
The leaves of Yerba Mate possess anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties that help kill colon cancer cells. The CQA or caffeoylquinic acid derivatives in this drink can treat colon cancer.
The bioactive compounds in this beverage can combat vitro cancer cells. It not only induces the damage of colon cancer cells but also lowers the inflammation of cells that causes cancer progression.
9. Lowers The Cholesterol Levels
Consuming Yerba Mate tea can improve serum lipid levels naturally to lower cholesterol levels. Regular consumption of this beverage helps lower LDL cholesterol, primarily in those on statin therapy. It can lower glutathione reductase and aortic cholesterol and prevent atherosclerotic lesions while significantly improving HDL cholesterol.
A study was done by de Morais EC and team to find how its consumption affects lipoprotein and lipid levels in humans. In this study, subjects were given 330 mL of YM for 40 days 3 times a day. LDL-cholesterol was reduced by 8.1 and 8.6% for humans with abnormal amounts of lipids in the blood; non-HDL cholesterol was decreased by 5.4 and 6.5% for the same people. It was concluded that Yerba Mate reduces LDL cholesterol for people with high cholesterol levels in the blood. It also improves lipid parameters in normolipidemics.
10. Induces Weight Loss
The thermogenic properties of Yerba Mate aid in promoting metabolic activity. The quick metabolism process also indicates that much fat is burnt quickly. It can be a part of the weight loss diet, as it can offer a fuller feeling, cut down cravings, improve sensitivity to insulin, and burn the accumulated fat. Having this tea every morning with a dash of honey will help you quickly lose weight.
As per a study done by Marcelo and Alessandra Gambero, this herb is useful against obesity. Taking it regularly for 45 days showed significant weight loss for patients who were overweight. Yerba Mate delayed emptying of the stomach and gave a feeling of fullness. It also improved lipid parameters in animals as well as humans. In obese people, the expression of genes changes, and this herb helps restore the gene expression to the normal range. Due to this action, the chances of diseases caused by obesity are reduced significantly.
Ways To Consume Yerba Mate Tea
Earlier, the South Americans drank Yerba Mate by mixing it with hot water to let it seep into the shell of a dried gourd. They also used a metal straw with a bombilla filter. The people of Paraguay have a cold drink made from dry leaves of Yerba Mate, ice-cold water, and a mixture of spices. These days, you have several ways to enjoy Yerba Mate. They are:
- You can find Yerba Mate tea bags, which can be brewed like any standard tea.
- Experiment by adding lemon, honey, or sugar to the brewed tea to enjoy a different Yerba Mate drink.
- Prepare a fresh beverage of Yerba Mate by using a coffee machine.
- Add some grated coconut and warm milk instead of hot water with Yerba Mate.
- Brew fresh herbs like basil or mint leaves to enjoy an aromatic Yerba Mate drink.
The Bottom Line
It is true that Yerba Mate has potential health benefits. However, staying aware of certain points while consuming this beverage is essential. Consume just a cup of Yerba Mate each week, as drinking several cups per day is not advisable. Also, remember that you should consume this beverage after it cools down a bit, as consuming it super hot can damage your esophagus, lungs, and mouth.
