Benefits of Using Yerba Mate Over Coffee 

If you’re like most people, you start your day with a cup of coffee. But what if there was a much better way to enjoy the caffeine without the awful after-effects? Yerba mate, more commonly known as Mate, is a herbal tea from South America that has been steadily gaining popularity in the United States for its many benefits. 

Although already Popular in countries such as Uruguay, Argentina, and Brazil, this caffeine-packed beverage can be enjoyed by just about everyone looking to improve their health. 

What Is Yerba Mate? 

Though both herbs are traditionally brewed and consumed as hot beverages, Yerba mate and coffee come from different plant species. Native to South America, Yerba comes from the leaves and twigs of the rainforest holly plant (Ilex paraguariensis), while coffee beans are derived from the coffee plant (Coffea spp); a tropical shrub that grows in Africa, Arabia, and India. 

Taste wise : 

Like green tea, the taste can be earthy, herbal, or bitter. If the taste overwhelms you, consider adding sweeteners such as honey, agave, and sugar. 

Despite their different origins, these two herbal drinks have many similarities—they’re both dried, roasted, and ground into a powder before being brewed—but there are also some important distinctions between them. Here’s a look at how they compare 

1. Has a Gentler Caffeine Buzz 

While coffee is known for its quick and potent energizing effects, the caffeine in yerba mate enters the bloodstream more slowly, resulting in a more gradual increase in energy levels that is less likely to cause jitters.  

Yerba mate also contains methylxanthines other than caffeine, including theobromine and theophylline, which can further contribute to its smooth energizing effects. 

2. Is Better for Your Heart 

Coffee has been shown to have some negative effects on heart health, but yerba mate has the opposite effect. Studies have shown that yerba mate can lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, reducing your risk of heart disease. 

3. Help You Lose Weight 

If you’re trying to slim down, ditching coffee in favor of yerba mate can help you. Yerba mate has been shown to increase metabolism and decrease appetite, which is key to weight loss. In one study, participants who drank yerba mate tea every day lost more weight than those who didn’t drink it. 

4. Contains More Nutrients Than Coffee 

In addition to caffeine, coffee beans contain very few nutrients. Conversely, mate leaves contain vitamins A and C and minerals like potassium, magnesium, and iron. They also contain polyphenols—antioxidants that can protect cells from damage—and saponins, compounds shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. 

5. May Boost Cognitive Function 

Research suggests that drinking yerba mate can improve mental function, such as memory recall and reaction time. The caffeinated beverage has also been found to enhance task performance on mood tests and vigilance in sleep-deprived individuals.  

Furthermore, one study showed that participants who took an oral supplement of yerba mate had increased levels of alpha wave activity in their brains during an attention task compared with those who did not take the supplement; alpha waves are associated with relaxation and alertness.  

These findings suggest that yerba mate may help improve focus and attention span. However, it’s important to note that most of this research has been done in animals or test tubes; more studies are required to confirm these effects in humans.              

6. Improved Energy and Mental Clarity 

One of the biggest benefits of drinking Yerba is the boosted energy and mental clarity.  

Mate possesses numerous antioxidants and xanthines that provide an energy boost that can be described as gentle and calm.  

When compared to other stimulants such as coffee, tea, and guarana, which can sometimes leave you with unwanted after-effects, the energy boost you can get from Mate is unmatched. 

Another benefit of yerba mate over coffee is that it doesn’t dehydrate you like caffeine.  

Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it can cause your body to expel water. This can lead to dehydration if you’re not careful. Yerba mate does not have this effect on the body, so you can drink it throughout the day without having to worry about becoming dehydrated. 

How To Prepare the Tea? 

Mate is traditionally prepared and transferred into a guard to be shared through a metal straw with a filter at the bottom. There are several ways to prepare the tea, ranging from easy to fairly complicated.  

The easiest and quickest is steeping Mate tea bags. This method is fast, and the resulting tea is less potent. A strainer or infuser also works perfectly well if you’d rather use loose tea leaves.  

If you would like to enjoy it in the same fashion as Argentinians, you first need to heat your water to the correct temperature, which is 80 degrees, nothing more, nothing less.  

Pour the dry Mate into the gourd and shake carefully to allow the loose powder to exit. Start pouring the water on one side of the gourd filled with the powder. Slip in the metal straw or bombilla into the side that is damp and enjoy. Remember to take your time enjoying the tea.  

Bottom Line 

There are plenty of reasons to ditch coffee in favor of Yerba. From increased energy to weight loss, it’s no wonder this herbal tea is becoming more popular daily. So next time you’re reaching for a cup of joe, consider brewed yerba mate instead. Your body will thank you!