Five Reasons Why You Should Drink Yerba Mate Instead of Coffee
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.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Vegetable Protein Powder
Contrary to popular belief, there is a wide variety of options amongst plant-based protein powders. The right one for you depends on your taste, budget, and preferred ingredients. Here is a low-down on vegan protein powders and tips to choose the best vegetable protein powder.
Scrutinize the Label
We mentioned that there is a wide variety amongst plant-based protein powders (more on that ahead), but how should go about picking the best vegetable protein powder among many? Scrutinize the label thoroughly and check the ingredients.
Simply because you are purchasing a plant-based, vegetarian protein powder, does not mean that you can turn a blind eye towards the other equally important ingredients. Also, plant-based formulation does not ensure or certify that all the other products are in their purest form. It is very common for protein powders to include additives, artificial sweeteners, zero-calorie sweeteners, or other flavorings. While there is nothing intrinsically wrong with these ingredients, they can cause gas and bloating in some individuals.
Read the Nutrition Label
As obvious as it sounds, brilliant packaging has necessitated reiterating this point. Read the nutrition label for protein facts. Naturally, all ‘protein’ powders will contain protein; we mean stress on the composition. In the case of a mixed protein powder, protein stats may differ widely. Some brands will also include branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), omega-3s, and probiotics to the mix. You need to ascertain whether these additions are beneficial to your training and choose accordingly.
Make Sure It Is Third Party Tested
Did you know that protein powders are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration? This means that a third party must test protein powders. The most reputed one is the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) International Certified for Sport seal. This seal ensures that the product contains only what is found on the label, it has been tested for contaminants, and it has been made at a facility that is frequently tested for safety and quality.
Now to the part that we began the guide with, the variety of plant-based protein powders.
Soy Protein Powder
Soy protein powders are made from soy protein isolates, with much of the fat and carbs removed, leaving about 90%–95% protein. Soy is also a complete protein, which means that it contains all the essential amino acids that the body cannot synthesize on its own but requires to protect your muscle tissue. A complete protein profile is rare in vegetable protein sources, making soy the best vegetable protein powder source. Not surprisingly, many elite athletes choose soy protein powder.
Pea Protein Powder
Another popular choice among top athletes is pea protein powder. In this case, the high concentration of BCAAs found in this source is the sole reason for its popularity. BCAAs in protein powders sourced from the yellow split pea, a legume, promote muscle protein synthesis (the act of protein repairing muscle damage caused by intense exercise) and minimize muscle degradation. Research has pointed out that pea protein powder has is one of the few vegetable protein powders that deliver similar muscle benefits as whey protein.
Brown Rice Protein Powder
Yes, we know that it is not necessarily a vegetable source as much as it is a plant source. However, if you are allergic to soy or experience stomach issues when eating pea protein, brown rice is a great alternate plant-based protein powder. Brown rice protein is not particularly high in BCAAs, but its strength and the key feature is that it is easy on the stomach, making it a more sensitive solution for athletes with sensitive tummies.
Mixed Protein Powders
It is now common to find a mixture of plant-based and vegetable proteins, such as brown rice, pea, hemp, chia seeds, flax seeds, and quinoa. This brilliant nutritious combination of varieties of protein creates a powder that is rich in essential amino acids.
Yerba Mate and How It Aids in Weight Loss
Weight loss is a common issue in many parts of the world, especially in North America, and finding healthy solutions is the goal of many people. Exercise is an obvious healthy choice, as well as diet change, but there are also certain drinks or foods that can help accelerate weight loss in a meaningful way. Yerba Mate tea is one.
Yerba Mate is a popular drink from South America that is traditional to several countries, such as Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Brazil. It is actually one of, if not the most, consumed drink every day by people. Yerba Mate itself is a plant, and the twigs and leaves are taken and used to create Yerba Mate tea. If prepared traditionally, Yerba Mate is prepared in a gourd, and it is drunk through a metal straw with a filter to strain out any leaves and particulates.
Various Ways Yerba Mate Aids in Weight Loss
Yerba Mate has a large number of health properties to help regulate the body and boost energy levels and metabolism. As well, it does contain caffeine, so, similar to coffee, it should be taken in moderation. It is recommended to limit Yerba Mate tea consumption if you regularly smoke tobacco, or drink alcohol, as well as if you have irritable bowel syndrome. But with that out of the way, let’s move onto the health benefits of properly ingested Yerba Mate.
Yerba Mate tea is full of various nutrients that affect the metabolism of the human body. Xanthine and caffeine are both capable of increasing metabolism through improved energy levels in the body, and with increased metabolism, the body is able to burn through fats quicker, reducing weight. As well, compounds within Yerba Mate can help improve bile flow, improving the rate at which food breaks down in the digestive tract and allowing the body to use the good right away rather than storing it.
Antioxidants are also a common method for facilitating weight loss, and Yerba Mate tea, like many teas, has polyphenols that help reduce calorie intake, stimulating fat reduction and helping friendly gut bacteria.
Yerba Mate tea, with its caffeine and other nutrients, also helps improve the effects of your exercising and workouts. It has been shown in studies that consuming 1g of Yerba Mate ground leaves before an exercise can help burn 24% more fat, and it can increase the body’s reliance on fat for energy, improving fat burning and weight loss.
Another method by which Yerba Mate tea helps weight loss is that, like many teas, it helps reduce appetite, and since it is low in calories and fat-free, it keeps you feeling full longer, reducing your food intake and allowing you to lose weight.
Like many adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms, Yerba Mate tea is capable of reducing stress in your body. It also allows it to stay in a state of repair longer when it does get stressed, greatly reducing the chance that your body will burn out from prolonged exposure to stressors. Yerba Mate contains theobromine, which is also available from chocolates, and this relaxes the body in stressful situations by controlling or reducing the amount of cortisol your body can release during stressful situations. Cortisol has a common side effect of increasing cravings for unhealthy snacks, fatty foods, and sugars, so the less cortisol released by your body, the less chances you have of gaining weight from excessive snacking.
The anti-inflammatory properties of Yerba Mate tea can have a wellbeing boosting effect on your body, but, in particular, it’s helpful for your blood flow and cholesterol. Yerba Mate has been found, in some cases, to reduce the risk of heart disease by helping reduce LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). With lower LDL cholesterol, the chance of obesity is reduced, therefore it is easier to manage your weight better.
Yerba Mate tea offers a lot of health benefits that directly affect your body’s ability to burn fat, reduce its ability to store fat, and improve overall gut and heart health. With proper care taken to not drink unsafe amounts, it can be a great boost to your energy levels, weight loss, and overall wellbeing.
Good, Better, Best: Natural Energy Drinks that Give You the Lift Today Demands
More and more today, busy people in search of that natural high are turning to natural energy drinks that deliver energy and vitality as much as they provide other amazing health benefits. By blending the latest scientific research with centuries-old holistic wisdom from indigenous cultures around the globe, people are realizing the astonishing benefits of added super foods, healing plants, and powerful adaptogens. Often extremely low in calories, these drinks contain zero-added sugars and leave consumers feeing great and satisfied throughout their entire day. If that’s not enough, these refreshing and delicious elixirs help build immunity while safely fulfilling any unique energy needs for those keeping their fridges stocked and ready.
When it comes to the good, the better, and the best alternatives on the market, natural energy drinks are giving boring old coffee, soda, and even many of the traditional energy drinks a run for their money. Here’s why.
What’s good?
What’s good is the obvious– natural energy drinks provide just that, natural energy. Brands are held to certain standardized caffeine amounts per drink, typically a safe and effective 80 milligrams per serving. This means we can achieve that desired state of being alert, energized, and productive, without suffering the negative side effects of high caffeine and high sugar alternatives. Say goodbye to anxious, jittery highs followed by energy crashes. Say hello to amazing products made by passionate people who want to deliver the healthiest energy options while also delivering vitamins, minerals, and other superfoods that not only produce energy, but also optimize physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. It’s the vitality and energy that life today demands from first thing in the morning until the end of the day.
What’s better?
Even better, while today’s best natural energy drinks provide that longer-lasting desired boost to meet any need at any time of day, people are even more excited about the other benefits they have to offer. Especially creating waves of excitement amongst consumers in our present circumstances are the antioxidizing nutrients, including healthy doses of vitamins A, C, and E, that help to improve the immune system. Thanks to ancient secrets derived from places such as the Brazilian Amazon, the purest, most natural remedies are being delivered to the health-focused, all packed into convenient cans they can grab and go with anywhere, anytime.
For instance, many beverages take advantage of Yerba Mate. Rich in antioxidants and nutrients, this tea boosts energy, elevates mood, and improves mental clarity and focus. While Yanomami mushrooms bring balance, Suma root ups energy and improves well-being in general. Some natural energy drinks rely on the acerola cherry for abundant, powerful antioxidants, including vitamin C and energizing superfood guarana, for athletic performance, faster recovery, and brain-boosting capabilities. And then, of course, the dietary fibre packed within the best organic natural energy drinks brings a host of healthy advantages. Just a few include helping to naturally prevent weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, and even some types of cancer.
What’s the best part?
The taste, of course. Long-gone are the energy drinks that taste like, well, sugar. The best natural energy drinks taste clean, light, refreshing, and bubbly, all thanks to the natural flavor held in the most responsibly sourced, highest quality superfood ingredients. And let’s face it, when we need that extra kick, it’s not always a hot beverage we’re looking for. The best companies offer a variety of flavors that are created to suit any mood or craving, often in convenient variety packs that ensure the fridge is always stocked for any situation. Whether it’s a fizzy classic taste, such as lemon ginger, a tropical adventure, like peach mango, or a light exotic blend, such as acai berry, there’s a fit for every mood and energy requirement out there.
First thing in the morning, right before or after a workout, or when that familiar afternoon lull creeps up, natural energy drinks are the convenient, delicious go-to. They’re an excellent addition into the routines of those practicing the Keto diet and/or intermittent fasting. In fact, even when the day is done and it’s time to kick back, many find these beverages are a great alternative mixer for their favorite alcoholic beverage. The best products are the zero-calory, zero-sugar, gluten-free, certified organic selections for those who prioritize their health and well-being.
What Do You Need for At-Home Wine Tasting?
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!
Adaptogens: What Are They, and Why Do I Want Them in My Drink?
Heard of adaptogens? When searching for healthy alternatives to energy drinks and supplements, chances are you will come across information on adaptogen drinks. Adaptogens are herbal pharmaceuticals that work to counteract stress and reduce the negative impacts of stress on the body and mind. These herbal powerhouses have gained quite a reputation amongst the international community, and for good reason.
A Brief History of Adaptogens
Adaptogens have a long history of use by various collectives. Before being manufactured into an adaptogen drink or supplement, adaptogens were studied by various military groups. During the WWII, scientists began searching for ways to energize soldiers and fight fatigue. Adaptogens became a source of interest by militaries eager to discover new and accessible ways to improve their forces; however, what we now know as adaptogens were used long before military researchers started poking around.
Indigenous groups have harnessed the power of adaptogens since time immemorial. Medicinal uses of adaptogens can be traced all the way back to 3000 BC in Ancient Chinese and Ayurveda practices. Various plants and roots within the Amazon rainforest are classified as adaptogens and have been used by Indigenous groups in everyday practices and traditional healing. From curing stomach aches to improving clarity of mind, adaptogens have a wide range of applications which have earned Amazon adaptogens the title of natural superfoods.
What do Adaptogens Do?
The key function of adaptogens is to counteract the effects of stress. While many of us think of stress as a part of life, the truth is that stress takes a serious toll on the human body. What you think of as a simple headache from a busy day can mean a draining process for your body and mind. Your body has to work hard to handle stress and return balance to your system, a process that often leaves people feeling tired and exhausted. The idea behind using adaptogens as a countermeasure is to delay the onset of fatigue and help our bodies go further. Supplements, such as an adaptogen drink, create an accessible way for people on the go to tap into the healing powers of adaptogens.
Applications of Adaptogens
A common use for adaptogens is fighting fatigue. Adaptogens provide a natural energy boost without the added sugars and overzealous caffeine concentrations known to many commercial energy products. Adaptogen drinks have grown popular amongst athletes who praise the natural energy source for its ability to improve alertness, increase energy levels, and enhance mental performance. Athletes aren’t the only ones benefiting from adaptogens. Adaptogens have also been used to reduce stress and anxiety, sooth an anxious nervous system, and assist with insomnia. Adaptogens can take many forms, and when it comes to adaptogen fruits and plants, different natural makeups will provide different benefits.
Adaptogens in the Modern Market
Adaptogens are increasingly being incorporated into various everyday consumables. A common product utilizing the healing powers of these Amazon superfoods are natural energy drinks. While many commercial energy drinks are notorious for high concentrations of artificial sweeteners, sugar, and caffeine, adaptogen drinks rely on naturally sourced adaptogens to provide the human body with a sustainable source of energy. Where does the adaptogens found in these drinks come from? Recall earlier when we discussed Amazon adaptogens. Many adaptogen drinks use these natural plants, roots, and fruits to create a healthy source of energy that can be easily incorporated into one’s diet.
Adaptogens and a Healthy Lifestyle
There are many adaptogens on the market, and chances are you have been ingesting a few of them without even knowing. Some of the most common adaptogens include ginseng, suma root, acai berries, and guarana, but there are so many we have yet to better understand. Modern uses of adaptogens provide consumers with healthy alternatives to commercial energy products and pharmaceuticals. These non-toxic plants bring a variety of health benefits to the table, but they should not be viewed as a cure-all. An adaptogen drink should not be viewed as a replacement for food or water. Instead, you should use adaptogens alongside other sources of nutrients. Incorporating adaptogens into a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle will provide you with more energy and overall body wellness.
What to Drink and Eat for More Energy Naturally
When the body gets tired and a person feels like they have no energy, they often look for food and drinks that will give them quick energy. Often, these snacks and drinks will give a sugar high, but it has negative effects on the body over a long period of time. There are healthy options for natural energy boosters instead.
Natural versus artificial sugar.
When looking at natural energy boosters in food and drink, it is important to look at what they are made from. One of the key ingredients in most energy boosters is sugar. There are a few types of sugars, but notably, there are natural sugars and artificial sugars (there are variations of each). The body will break the various sugars down differently. Natural sugar is digested slowly, making the body feel fuller longer, and it can help keep the body’s metabolism stable. Natural sugars are essential in the body and can be found in foods like fruit and dairy products.
Artificial sugar differs because it is broken down fast and can cause insulin and blood sugars to skyrocket and then crash, causing health concerns. Because the sugar is digested quickly, the body does not feel full for a long period of time. Artificial sugar is often refined from sugar cane and sugar beets, and it can be found in corn syrup, prepackaged food, and sweets. When looking for a natural energy boost, artificial sugar can give a very rapid energy boost, but there is a long-term negative effect compared to the use of natural sugars in food or drinks, where the energy takes a little longer to achieve but has a positive longer-lasting effect.
Natural Fiber
Fiber is not commonly thought of when looking at natural food and drink energy boosters; however, fiber plays an important role in releasing energy into the body. There are lots of natural sources of fiber, and they can taste good. This can include berries like Goji Berries, which are packed with antioxidants (used to prevent cell damage), vitamins, and fiber. Berries can be eaten raw or added to other foods, such as yogurt and smoothies. Seeds also can be high in fiber. A seed, such as Quinoa, is high in protein, natural carbs, and fiber. Fiber is used by the body to regulate the blood sugar and ensure that there is a longer-lasting natural energy. Food and drink that is used as a natural energy booster should contain natural fiber.
Vitamin B12
As the body ages, it does not retain vitamins as well as a younger body. One of the vitamins that the body does not retain as well is B12. This vitamin helps maintain healthy blood and cells, which then release natural energy. It also prevents megaloblastic anemia, which makes people tired and sick. By ensuring that food and drinks that are being used as natural energy boosters have vitamin B12 as an ingredient, you ensure that your body is able to give long-term health benefits and natural long-lasting energy.
Caffeine
When looking for a quick pick-me-up or a boost of energy, people often look to sources of caffeine as a method of getting quick energy. Caffeine can give this boost, but where the caffeine is coming from and how it enters the body should be monitored. When looking at using caffeine in a food or drink as an energy boost, it should be a natural source of caffeine, such as cocoa beans, Coffee beans, or berries. There are artificial or enhanced caffeines, such as the caffeine added to many sugar drinks and candies. Caffeine can also be found in pills that are purchased in grocery stores or pharmacies. When ingesting enhanced caffeine or too much caffeine, it can have a negative effect on the body and can cause side effects, such as anxiety, hyperactivity, or sleep disturbances. When used naturally in food or drinks as a natural energy booster, and in proper moderation, it can help give energy and can assist in burning body fat, giving a long-lasting amount of energy.
GMO ns Non-GMO foods
Natural energy boosters should be non-Genetic Modified Organisms (GMO). A GMO is a living organism that has been manipulated in a laboratory. They can be modified or cross bred with another organism. This manipulation can allow an organism to develop or enhance traits, such as flavors in food, or to prevent fruit from turning brown naturally. This process can also be engineered to prevent being affected by herbicides or other gardening chemicals. Non-GMO foods and drinks that are used to boost energy use only natural ingredients that have not been manipulated. This means that the food or drink that enters the body is pure and provides a purely natural energy boost.
When looking for food or drinks as a natural energy booster, it is important to ensure the ingredients in them will have a positive effect on a person’s body and health.
