So your coffee-addict self decided to drink less after the New Year? Maybe those yellow teeth are nagging at you, or maybe it’s just time to replace that ol’ cup of Joe.
The good news is that yerba mate (pronounced "mah-tay") tea has the same amount of caffeine as coffee (without the jitters) and studies show that it has some awesome health benefits to boot!
According to ScienceDaily, in a University of Illinois study about yerba mate tea, “scientists showed that human colon cancer cells die when they are exposed to the approximate number of bioactive compounds present in one cup of this brew, which has long been consumed in South America for its medicinal properties.”
In addition to the anti-cancer benefits seemingly prevalent in this beverage, mate tea can also lower levels of inflammation. Inflammation can lead to many other negative health effects including many chronic diseases.
Another University of Illinois study found that yerba mate also promotes healthy cholesterol (HDL) and lowers unhealthy cholesterol (LDL).
According to University of Illinois scientist, Elvira de Mejia, “studies show that some of the most important antioxidant enzymes in the body are induced by this herbal tea."
Although these benefits seem extreme enough to convince anyone to drink the tea, the health benefits of mate tea go on.
Yerba mate is nutrient-rich, containing vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, niacin and B5. In addition, it contains minerals like calcium, manganese, iron, selenium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc along with additional nutritiounal compounds, according to Guayaki.com.
Although the chemical components of yerba mate and green tea are similar, studies show that yerba mate is in fact, more nutritional than its famous counterpart.
Besides the nutritional value of mate, it is a great drink to aid in stimulating focus and clarity, to give you an extra oomph of energy.
(I really did used to load up on mate during those long paper-writing nights in college).
In addition to the health benefits of yerba mate, this warm beverage can also be a new cultural experience.
Traditionally, South Americans drink their mate out of gourds and bombillas (pronounced, “bom-bee-yuhz”) a type of straw that often comes in steel or bamboo.
If mate is a new to you, it’s easy to find at your local health food store.
So regardless of whether you’re trying to break the coffee habit, or are just looking for another nutritious, warm, low-calorie beverage this winter, reach for a mate and experience it for yourself.
Sources:
Compounds in mate tea induce death in colon cancer cells, in vitro study shows. (2012, January 23). Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120123115539.htm
Mate Tea Lowers Cholesterol. (2007, October 23). Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071023163949.htm
Mate Tea – Yerba Mate Teas and their Health Benefits | Teavana. (n.d.). Buy Tea Online: Green tea, Oolong tea, Black tea, White tea, Herbal tea and more! | Teavana. Retrieved January 28, 2012, from
http://www.teavana.com/tea-info/mate-tea
Yerba Mate Health Benefits. (n.d.). Guayaki Organic Yerba Mate . Retrieved January 28, 2012, from
http://guayaki.com/mate/2931/Health-Benefits.html
Reviewed January 30, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith