The Nutritional Benefits of Drinking Yerba Mate
A Healthy and Energizing Alternative to Coffee
Though it remains relatively unknown in North America, that is sure to change thanks to recent scientific studies revealing its staggering amounts of nutrients and general health benefits. Adding to its nutritional value the fact that it also induces mental clarity and provides the body with energy and stamina, it is plausible that yerba mate could become the next health trend in North America once word gets out.
Healthier Than Green Tea
As far back as 1964, the Pasteur Institute and the Paris Society performed a study which concluded that yerba mate contained “practically all the nutrients necessary to sustain life”. Most recently, it has been discovered that while the chemical components of yerba mate resemble green tea, the former is even more nutritious due to its high level of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. It has also been shown to possess an even higher antioxidant activity than found in green tea.
Mateine Not Caffeine
Besides the health component to yerba mate, there are other reasons for its loyal following in South America. Possessing a substance called mateine – closely resembling its cousin caffeine, but without the negative side effects such as jitters, shakes, upset stomach or headaches – it gradually awakens the mind and the body without any noticeable crash that is often linked with coffee consumption.
Professional athletes are beginning to recognize the sustained energy boost, utilizing it as an effective tool to help them train longer. Writers, actors and performers - Madonna and Moby among its advocates - are reputedly using yerba mate prior to performances where they will require a sustained level of energy. Finally, some are beginning to promote yerba mate as an aid in weight loss thanks to its appetite suppressing nature, along with certain properties which are said to help with digestion
The Yerba Mate Ritual
The traditional method of consumption is with a mate gourd shared among a group of friends. The cebador pours the loose leaves in the mate gourd, adds hot water (no hotter than 87 degrees Celsius or else the rich nutrients are destroyed by the extreme heat) and then sips the beverage with the help of the bombilla, a metal device which acts as both filter and straw. The cebador then passes the gourd to another member of the circle until she finishes the bowl (often concluding with a gurgling sound not unlike the sound of a child who is finishing off a milkshake). Once empty, the gourd is returned to the cebador, who refills the gourd with more water from the thermos and passes it to the next recipient until everyone has had a bowl.
Much like other tea ceremonies around the world, the mate ritual symbolizes comraderie, a daily ritual whose intention is to solidify the bond of friendship through time spent together laughing and conversing.
As for any negative side effects of yerba mate, so far, there are none to report. That being said, there are no conclusive studies on its long-term effects published as of yet. One thing that is certain is thatas the trend towards a healthier and balanced lifestyle grows more and more popular, there is little doubt that North Americans will be introduced to the Guarani's “Drink of the Gods” in the very near future. Some advocates have even begun calling it “the mate revolution”.
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