We have all become addicted to our coffee. Although coffee beans are rich in some vitamins and antioxidants, coffee does not deliver the same broad spectrum of nutrients as its more temperate cousin – the tea leaf. Many varieties of teas have been marketed to western drinkers as a healthier alternative to coffee (i.e. Japanese green tea). The latest variety of tea that is making waves in North America is yerba mate tea, or energy tea, imported from the Amazon.

My Cup of Tea

Traditional yerba mate tea involves steeping the leaves and twigs of the yerba mate plant in hot water. This “mate tea” as it is called, has been widely consumed in Uruguay, Paraguay and parts of Brazil since pre-colonial times. One intra-familial ritual of drinking mate tea involves the host playing the role of brewer when he or she invites family members into their home. The brewer steeps the tea in a traditional cup made from a hollowed-out gourd shell. The beverage is then passed around in a circle in the same gourd cup. Today mate tea is consumed by people of all ages and is not restricted exclusively to ancient family tea drinking rituals. The energy tea that is making waves in North America is a sparkling yerba mate beverage, usually served and cold or room temperature.

Many of these energy tea products have a yerba mate base. The base is then infused with other stimulants and herbs native to the Amazon, called Amazon adaptogens. These include guarana, acerola berry, Suma root and Yanomami mushrooms. These adaptogens help by boosting immune function and promoting greater physical and mental performance.

It’s all about the energy

When most of us think of energy, we think of caffeine. Energy tea contains caffeine, as do most energy drinks. What is unique about the Amazon adaptogens is that they have their own energizing effects that work separately from the caffeine. Yerba mate contains compounds that boost energy at the cellular level. It has been shown that yerba mate enriches the concentration of ectonucleotides. These are a family of enzymes that enable cells to share information and transfer energy between them. When these enzymes are present in high concentrations, tissues and organs are able to use the energy they have more efficiently, because there is more energy transferred between the cells. Ectonucleotides also enrich cellular replication.

Yerba mate is also a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. Monoamine oxidase is a chemical in the brain that counteracts the effects of serotonin and dopamine. By inhibiting monoamine oxidase, there is now more dopamine and serotonin, which will enrich your physical and mental performance at a chemical level in the brain. More serotonin and dopamine will contribute to elevating your mood and give you more feelings of empowerment, as opposed to feelings of anxiety and depression. It is for these reasons that serotonin and dopamine are sometimes called the “happy chemicals.” The energy tea is essentially acting as an anti-depressant by helping the happy chemicals to be uninhibited. Yerba mate has an anti-depressant that occurs naturally in its leaves and twigs. Because it is found directly in nature, it is very safe for us to consume. The happy chemicals also help the nervous system to regulate things like hunger and sleep. This could help explain why yerba mate has also been shown to help with weight loss. The fact that it improves energy efficiency at the cellular level is likely playing a role as a two-sided coin.

Only energy tea that is made from Amazon adaptogens will have these effects on the body. When stacked up against the enzyme enriching compounds of the adaptogens, the energizing effects of caffeine are trivial. Caffeine does nothing to enrich the body’s energy at a cellular or chemical level. Caffeine can only contribute to feelings of alertness by stimulating the nervous system and dilating the blood vessels around the brain. Once it leaves your system, its effects are short lived, so you go for your second cup. Instead of constantly overloading your vascular and nervous systems with stimulants, try something that will actually enrich your body’s energy reserves, like energy tea.

Yerba mate drinks have been around for centuries. Historians believe that this ancient South American beverage was first enjoyed by indigenous people in Paraguay. When the Spanish arrived in South America, colonization spread yerba mate back to Europe and it became a tradeable commodity. Since then, people around the world have enjoyed this unique beverage for its interesting flavour and long list of health benefits. These days, yerba mate is a popular ingredient in many different kinds of health drinks.

What Exactly is Yerba Mate?

Yerba mate is a plant that grows in a number of South American countries. The twigs and leaves of the plant are dried and then steeped in hot water to make yerba make drink. In South America, the beverage is traditionally served hot in a gourd with a special straining straw.

The drink was traditionally shared in a group with each person giving thanks while drinking. The hot water was then replenished in the gourd and the drink passed on to the next person.

These days, people enjoy yerba mate drinks just like they would enjoy coffee or tea. Yerba mate tea tastes somewhat similar to green tea. It can be enjoyed either hot or cold, though it has a slightly more bitter taste when steeped in hot water. Some people prefer to sweeten this tea with honey or to mix it with citrus juice or other herbal teas.

Yerba mate has become a popular ingredient in many different types of energy drinks that are commonly available. It can be found mixed with fruit juices, iced teas, or as a coffee substitute.

Benefits of Yerba Mate Drinks

In North America, yerba mate drinks are often found in the energy drink aisle at convenience or grocery stores. This unique tea has a number of health benefits, which explains its centuries-long popularity.

Some of the many benefits of yerba mate include:

1) Yerba mate naturally contains powerful antioxidants

Yerba mate contains powerful antioxidants that support a healthy body. Some studies show that yerba mate actually contain more antioxidants than green tea. Ingesting plant-based antioxidants are believed by some researchers to help reduce the risks of a wide range of diseases including heart disease, immune deficiency, stroke, cancer, and respiratory diseases.

2) It is a source of natural energy

Many people enjoy yerba mate drinks because of its natural energy boosting characteristics. It naturally contains caffeine, but not too much. A cup of yerba mate tea actually contains less caffeine than coffee but more than black tea, which is the perfect amount for many people. People who love yerba mate say that it gives them an energy boost without the jittery feelings that coffee can cause.

3) Helps maintain a healthy weight

Though further studies need to be done, some research shows that yerba mate drinks may help to reduce cravings and therefore contribute to healthy weight loss. Researchers also suspect that consuming yerba mate may contribute to a reduction of fat cells within the body.

4) Enhanced physical performance

It is suspected that yerba mate drinks help to improve athletic performance because of the way in which the caffeine causes muscles to contract. Some athletes drink yerba mate before working out to increase their overall performance.

Possible Dangers of Overconsumption

Similar to other healthy products, overconsuming yerba mate can have some negative health repercussions. People who overconsume yerba mate drinks may be at a higher risk for some types of cancer, especially if it is consumed hot. Researchers believe that the those who drink large quantities of yerba mate over a long period of time may increase their risk of developing stomach, kidney, lung, and/or mouth cancer. These risks are further increased if the person uses alcohol or nicotine.

The Bottom Line

In the end, consuming reasonable amounts of yerba mate does not appear to pose serious health risks. It is important that individuals consult with their health care professional if they have any questions regarding yerba mate or any other health foods or drinks.

Generally, the amount of yerba mate that one ingests while drinking a typical health or energy drink is very minimal. Look for yerba mate drinks that are mixed with other delicious healthy ingredients to get the maximum benefits.

What’s All the Buzz About Yerba Mate Drinks?

Yerba mate drinks have been popular in South America for many centuries and now their popularity is spreading across the globe. People love this unique drink for its distinctive flavor, its energy boosting properties, as well as for its overall health benefits.

Ancient Natural South American Drink

Yerba mate drinks are made by brewing the leaves and twigs from the yerba mate tree. This tree, also known as Ilex paraguariensis, is indigenous to southern South America. It can be found growing naturally in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay.

Pure yerba mate drinks are made simply by brewing the dried leaves and twigs of this plant in hot water. Traditionally, yerba mate tea is shared from a gourd with a special straw that strains out the leaves and twigs. These days, yerba mate can be found as a loose tea or as a delicious ingredient in many natural energy drinks.

Natural Benefits of Yerba Mate Drinks

The effects of drinking yerba mate have been described as uplifting, energizing, and comforting. There are a few natural chemical compounds in yerba mate like caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine that contribute to these feelings. Generally, yerba mate is believed to give those who drink it the following benefits:

1) Greater Energy and Less Fatigue

The typical yerba mate drink contains 85 mg of caffeine, which is less caffeine than coffee, but more than what is found in black tea. Many people find the amount of caffeine contained in a cup of yerba mate the perfect amount to boost energy and reduce fatigue. This amount of caffeine is less likely to cause a caffeine crash later in the day.

2) Increased Mental Focus

On top of increased energy, the caffeine found in yerba mate drinks contributes to enhanced mental clarity. Many people find that a cup of yerba mate in the morning gives them a mental edge to get a good start on their days.

3) Weight Loss

There are some studies that show regular use of yerba mate drinks may help curb appetite, increase metabolism, and help with weight loss. Other studies show that yerba mate also increases fat burning.

4) Antioxidants

Yerba mate is also a source of antioxidants, which help support overall health. Research shows that it may even have more antioxidants than green tea.

5) Powerful Adaptogenic Properties

Yerba mate is considered an adaptogen, which means it contains natural chemicals that help the body to resist the negative effects of both physical and emotional stress. Ingesting this plant is believed to support a wide range of healthy bodily functions including a calm and focused mind, better digestion, and a more robust immune system.

Adding Yerba Mate into a Daily Routine

Yerba mate has a unique flavor. It has been described as strong and bitter. Some people say that it tastes of the rainforest. It is advised to taste a yerba mate drink a few times before deciding whether it is a good replacement for coffee or tea. It can take a few attempts for tastebuds to adapt to the flavor. While many people learn to thoroughly enjoy the taste of yerba mate, it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. Luckily, yerba mate is an ingredient in many natural energy drinks.

There are many energy drinks on the market that include yerba mate as a key ingredient. These types of drinks allow individuals to enjoy all of the natural health benefits of yerba mate without the bold and unique flavor. Energy drinks that contain yerba mate as well as other delicious ingredients are a good alternative. Flavors like acerola berry puree, lime, ginger, lemon, green tea, monk fruit, blueberry, peach, mango, and acai all pair beautifully with the earthiness of yerba mate.

Always look for yerba mate drinks that are all-natural, organic, sugar-free, and free of any artificial chemicals. There are many energy drinks on the market that contain yerba mate, but not all of them take advantage of the wide array of health benefits that this unique plant has to offer.

Yerba mate drinks offer a great alternative to coffee or tea as a morning beverage. Whether it is brewed directly as a tea or included as an ingredient in a natural energy drink, yerba mate has a long list of benefits when ingested routinely.

Yerba mate drinks are having a moment. Almost no one had heard of it a couple of years ago, but they rapidly gained a following. Yerba mate has been particularly popular among those looking for a healthy alternative to conventional energy drinks. While some people may think yerba mate is a new fad, in fact, it is a much older drink than people realize.

Many of the ingredients in yerba mate drinks have been cultivated and harvested by the indigenous people of the Amazon for centuries. This includes a mixture of roots, berries, and mushrooms native to South America. In addition to refreshing and complex flavor, yerba mate offers an impressive combination of health benefits, which you can now enjoy in a yerba mate energy drink.

So, what makes yerba mate good for you? Are they as amazing as they sound? Here are three reasons yerba mate drinks are healthy.

Adaptogens from the Amazon

One of the unique benefits of yerba mate energy drinks is the high levels of adaptogens. What are adaptogens? These natural chemicals are thought to increase energy, heal your body, and heighten your focus. Adaptogens are believed to become more active when you are under stress, giving you extra resilience when you need it most.

Sources of adaptogens used in yerba mate drinks include the following:

• Yerba mate: antioxidation, increased energy and focus

• Green tea: improves brain function and metabolism

• Guarana: increased energy and heightened athletic performance

• Suma root: overall wellbeing and immunity

• Yanomami mushrooms: nutritional balance

• Acerola berries: antioxidants and vitamin C

In addition to incredible health benefits, each ingredient also builds yerba mate’s unique flavor. The overall taste is a satisfying mix of fruity, herbal, and earthy notes. The combination of adaptogens has been balanced to achieve the perfect blend of taste and nutrition.

Natural Ingredients

Most energy drinks are highly processed. Many of the ingredients are synthetic chemicals, including colorants, flavoring agents, and preservatives. While these ingredients are considered safe, their effects are often under-studied, especially when taken over long periods. Some experts feel that consuming these ultra-processed ingredients is unhealthy for humans over our lifetime.

In addition to unknown health problems, conventional energy drinks also don’t have much nutritional value. All the energizing effects are from sugar and caffeine. The vitamin and mineral content of the average energy drink is low, meaning they are essentially empty calories.

Yerba mate drinks are made with natural plant ingredients, not chemicals brewed up in a lab. Yerba mate is packed with a mixture of vitamins and antioxidants, which offer a variety of health benefits. All-natural also means no artificial sweeteners, dyes, or other additives, so you can feel confident that your beverage is pure.

No Sugar, No Sweeteners

Conventional energy drinks contain a lot of sugar – about as much as soft drinks. While there are many stereotypes about how healthy energy drinks are, the sugar content is probably the most concerning aspect of a conventional energy drink. A more nutritious energy drink needs to address the sugar problem.

Diet energy drinks are available, but in that case, you are often switching from the devil you know to the devil you don’t. These are loaded with artificial sweeteners to simulate the sugary taste of the regular versions. The result is energy drinks that taste as if they came straight from a test tube.

Yerba mate drinks avoid this problem by offering a mature flavor that doesn’t rely on high sweetness to be palatable. They are fruity and herbal, with earthy notes, making it a more “grown-up” taste. This means you can enjoy a unique beverage and benefit from the added energy without the guilt of loading up on calories.

Enjoy the Benefits of Yerba Mate Drinks

Yerba mate drinks are not just a healthy alternative to conventional energy drinks. They are good for you! You can experience everything from increased focus and energy to a resilient immune system and better athletic ability. The power of yerba mate comes from the incredible mix of plant superfoods. The only way to understand these benefits is to try them for yourself.

Yerba Mate tea has been an integral part of the culture of South America for centuries. It has been used as a traditional tea, whether for normal everyday consumption or for traditional medicine purposes. Within the last couple decades, though, the popularity of the drink worldwide has sky-rocketed, and the US market is now full of options when it comes to yerba mate. One of the best benefits of yerba mate is the fact that it is a great alternative to coffee and other forms of caffeine, giving you a great source of energy for the day while also providing you with more health benefits overall.

Below are five great reasons you should be drinking yerba mate instead of coffee as your go-to drink for energy and health throughout your everyday life.

Slow Releasing Energy Boost for the Day

When it comes to daily energy, most adults often require some sort of boost during the day, especially if they are working particularly boring or grueling day jobs, and most that energy comes from caffeine. The most common form of caffeine that is consumed in the world is tea, and the second most is coffee, although coffee has significantly more caffeine in general than most teas. Caffeine amounts with yerba mate tea are somewhere in between the two, more than tea, less than coffee, and it is 100% natural. With a lower caffeine count and other nutrients that allow for a slower, more steady, all day energy boost, you don’t end up with the jitters that many coffee drinkers complain about.

Help Moderate Cholesterol Levels

Studies have shown that the nutrients within yerba mate tea can help your body in many ways, and those include moderating your cholesterol levels better. The main study cited is from 2009, and it showed that drinking one liter of yerba mate per day over 40 days could reduce LDL cholesterol levels; the lower levels occurred in all participants, whether or not they had high or low cholesterol to begin with or were taking medication for cholesterol. Consuming the same amount of coffee can actually have the opposite effect.

Bone Health Positive

Yerba mate tea has been found to also be a positive when it comes to bone health, helping the bones of the body retain their mineral density, even as people age. Osteoporosis is a big issue as people age, especially in women, and coffee has been found to have detrimental effects on bone density, increasing the risk of hip fractures. One liter a day can lead to 5-10 percent higher levels of bone mineral density when compared to non drinkers.

Easier on Acid Reflux

Coffee is naturally a very acidic drink, as can be evidenced by the damage it can do to your teeth, and its sharp taste. Drinking coffee can cause or exacerbate an already existing acid reflux issue that millions of people suffer from each year. Dietary changes can help reduce your acid reflux, or you can resort to over the counter or prescription medications; however, if you need your caffeine kick, then dropping coffee for yerba mate tea can be a dietary change that helps reduce your acid reflux triggers.

Improve Your Exercise Routine Results with Yerba Mate Tea

Exercise is an important part of getting or staying healthy. Going for a run, working out at the gym with weights, or whatever other method of choice you use for exercise is a great way of losing weight and building muscle. But did you know that yerba mate can actually help you with your exercise routine results? Yerba mate is a popular pre-game drink for footballers in South America, and while there isn’t any definitive proof that it can help performance during the game, one study has found that a 1-gram capsule of yerba mate can actually help burn 24% more fat during a workout or form of physical activity. Yerba mate helps with burning fat, and burning fat instead of carbs leads to an overall loss of fat in the body and a reduction of weight.

With these five reasons, and so many more that are not mentioned above, it might be time for you to consider a switch to yerba mate tea. You can prepare yerba mate the traditional way with a gourd, or you can find it in other forms, such as bottled drinks that are easy to use throughout the day when you need that energy pick-me-up.

One of the most noticeable and significant casualties of the current health crisis has been the disruption of social activities and gatherings. With people trying to be as responsible as possible, and with local and regional restrictions, parties and events have largely been put on hold temporarily, or outright canceled. But for many of us this just meant that we had to get creative with how we socialize, and this has led us to come up with solutions that let us share our time and experiences with each other virtually! Holding a wine tasting at home can seem like a weird idea at first, but you can really have a similar experience with your friends from the comfort of your respective homes! So, what all do we need for a successful wine tasting night?

Internet Connections and Video Gear

Virtually hosting a wine tasting at home is pretty simple, as long as you have an internet connection! Load up your video chatting service of choice (Skype, Zoom, Facetime, etc.) and send the invite to your friends! You will all need at least audio capabilities, but video is preferable as well in order to create a face-to-face atmosphere like you may have at an in-person tasting event. Webcams are generally inexpensive, and your phone’s camera will even work just as well.

Wine

Obviously, we need everyone to have some wine on hand in order to make the party a wine tasting. Ideally, you should all have the same wines available to try, so coordinate together ahead of time with your selections. Alternatively, you can make your wine tasting at home a more exploratory experience for you and your friends, and you can all select your own wines to customize the flavor of the night! Pick up that new red wine you’ve had your eye on in your local liquor store! It is suggested that you have approximately 3-4 bottles per household to create a quality tasting experience, although there are no rules to how many are required. It’s your night, so make it your own! Also, maybe double-check that everyone has a corkscrew at their home, otherwise things might be a bit difficult to get started!

Snacks and Food Pairings

Many wine tours feature food items and focus the experience around flavor palettes and complimentary flavors. This can be an important part of the educational experience that some wineries can highlight. With a wine tasting at home, this is likely to be less of your focus, but that doesn’t mean you can’t work something out! Do some research or talk to a wine expert to see what types of foods pair well with the wines you’ve selected, and then send out the list to your friends!

Entertainment and Social Engagement

Remember that, even though this is a wine tasting at home and not in public physically, it’s still a social event. You and your friends just sitting on each other’s screens drinking wine is not how most of us envision a wine tasting. Plan some virtual activities! If you’ve all got different wines, you could each pick one and give a quick history lesson or flavor profile. You could set up a wine trivia event for individuals or teams of your friends. Or you could do something entirely unrelated to wine in between tasting sessions and play an online video game, like Pictionary or Jackbox. You could turn your wine tasting at home into a viewing party of one of your favorite shows or movies by using screenshare apps as well! As with an in-person event, remember to take some time to actually socialize, too.

Professional Wine Tasting at Home

As creative as you may be trying to be with your own your wine tasting at home, wineries and wine distributors have also gotten creative and modified their usual offerings. They’ll bring the wine tasting to you and organize the whole thing! Check with your winery or distributor of choice to see their exact options, but many of them have almost everything they’d offer for an in-person tour: professional sommeliers to lead the tasting and conversations, the chosen wines shipped directly to each person’s home, food pairing options either shipped with the wine or a recommended list, as well as entertainment and party games!