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.