Coffee is one of the most popular beverages on the planet. Like tea, it is appreciated by many not only for its taste and aroma, but also for its benefits. These include stimulating the brain and giving people an energy boost — which is why coffee is known as a morning drink. But for people who can’t tolerate coffee but are looking for an equally healthy, energizing drink, yerba mate may just be the drink for you.

Yerba mate is a tea made from brewing the dried leaves and twigs of Ilex paraguariensis, a plant native to South America. Traditionally, it is sipped using a metal straw with a filter at the end and shared by people as a sign of friendship. Although it contains less caffeine than coffee, yerba mate boasts plenty of feel-good chemicals and antioxidants that are good for the health. Yerba mate also contains a variety of nutrients, such as vitamins B1, B3, B5, B6 and C, and minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron and potassium.

Here are some more reasons why you should try this healthy drink:

• It boosts energy – Due to its caffeine content, yerba mate provides an energy boost like that of coffee. Drinking yerba mate is extremely useful for people suffering from fatigue.
• It enhances mental function – Aside from caffeine, which is known to enhance brain function, yerba mate also contains theobromine and theophylline. These compounds act as brain stimulants that can enhance memory, mood, and alertness. Yerba mate can also stimulate dopamine production, which enhances mood and productivity.
• It helps regulate immune responses – This property of yerba mate can be attributed to the presence of saponins and polyphenols. These compounds prevent the immune system from overreacting to both foreign and innate substances. Diseases like allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes can be avoided with proper regulation of immune function. In addition to this, yerba mate contains vitamins C and E, as well as selenium and zinc, which keep colds and flu away.
• It promotes weight loss – Previous studies have shown that yerba mate can help a person lose weight by reducing appetite, increasing metabolism and promoting the usage of stored fat. Since yerba mate increases metabolism, people who drink it and exercise will lose more weight even with their regular exercise routine.
• It improves digestion – Yerba mate has natural antibacterial properties and is effective against E. coli. It can also eliminate intestinal parasites with its saponin content. Studies have also shown that yerba mate can increase bile production, which helps in the digestion of food.
• It strengthens the bones – Drinking yerba mate can increase bone density, even if caffeine is normally associated with bone mineral loss. This increase in bone density is observable even in people who do not exercise. Regular consumption of yerba mate can also increase the bone density of postmenopausal women and reduce their risk of osteoporosis.
• It supports heart health – The antioxidants in yerba mate can protect against heart failure, irregular heartbeat, and low blood pressure. Meanwhile, the theobromine in yerba mate improves blood flow by relaxing the blood vessels. Several studies also suggest that yerba mate can reduce harmful cholesterol and increase beneficial cholesterol levels.
• It lowers blood sugar – People who drink yerba mate experience significant improvements in insulin sensitivity, which is usually impaired in diabetic individuals.

Give yerba mate tea a try to enjoy all these health benefits.

Sources:

BeBrainFit.com

Healthline.com

EatThis.com