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.