MATE (YERBA MATE), South American tea

MATE, South American tea, ( Ilex paraguariensis)

Mate is a traditional drink in Latin American countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Chile. In these countries, it is served in a cup made from a dried gourd of the same name and kept for hours, just like we do with a freddo or a frappe. It is such a beloved and healthy drink that it is often consumed more than coffee!

Yerba mate is a caffeinated drink that has been popularized by celebrities such as Madonna, Beyonce, and George Clooney. It is also becoming increasingly popular in Europe due to its positive health benefits.

This plant produces a natural stimulant called Mateine, which is similar to caffeine, but has no side effects on your health, unlike coffee. Yerba mate provides you with long-lasting energy and at the same time helps you relax. In addition, Yerba Mate is among the few rare plants that contain theobromine. Theobromine dilates blood vessels, which makes it a good diuretic for high blood pressure due to its vasodilator properties.

Method of preparation:
QUANTITY (for a 250 ml cup): 1 tsp.
Water TEMPERATURE : 90 oC
EXTRACTION TIME : 7-10 minutes
EXTRACTION CAPACITY : 1-2 times

Why use Yerba Mate as a beverage?

• It can boost energy and improve mental focus.
  Yerba mate contains less caffeine than coffee but more than a cup of tea. Yerba mate increases your body's reliance on fat for fuel during exercise. It may also improve muscle contractions and reduce fatigue , which can contribute to better physical performance.
• It may protect against infections
  Yerba mate has some antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antifungal properties.
• It can help you lose weight and belly fat
  Yerba mate boosts metabolism, increasing the amount of fat burned for fuel. It also reduces the urge to snack (helps to prolong the feeling of satiety).
  
• It can boost your immune system
  Yerba mate has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may boost your immune system.
• Reduces blood sugar levels
  Yerba mate may improve insulin signaling and blood sugar control, but more research in humans is needed.
• May reduce the risk of heart disease
  The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering properties of Yerba mate may help protect against heart disease. It also helps reduce blood cholesterol levels .
• Yerba Mate is an excellent treatment for the skin
  Yerba mate is traditionally used as a natural remedy to treat skin conditions such as dandruff, rashes, and dryness.
  

Mate or Green tea?

Mate is considered more "nutritious" than green tea. It offers the human body many vitamins and minerals: A, C, E, B1, B2, Niacin, B5, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, Selenium, Phosphorus and Zinc . Carotene, Flavonoids, polyphenols, antioxidants and 15 more amino acids fully justify the above claim. Interestingly, the antioxidant power of yerba mate tea seems to be slightly higher than that of green tea. However, we should not forget its high caffeine content.

Special precautions
Avoid use during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to documented adverse effects

Indicative bibliography

• Yerba Mate Tea (Ilex paraguariensis): a comprehensive review on chemistry, health implications, and technological considerations
  Yerba Maté (Illex Paraguariensis) ingestion augments fat oxidation and energy expenditure during exercise at various submaximal intensities
• Aqueous extracts of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) as a natural antimicrobial against Escherichia coli O157:H7 in a microbiological medium and pH 6.0 apple juice
• Yerba Mate Tea (Ilex paraguariensis): a comprehensive review on chemistry, health implications, and technological considerations
• Anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects of Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet
• Thermogenic effects of commercially available plant preparations aimed at treating human obesity
• Saponins in yerba mate tea ( Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil) and quercetin synergistically inhibit iNOS and COX-2 in lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages through NFkappaB pathways
• Aqueous extract of Ilex paraguariensis attenuates the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits