Health benefits
Yerba Mate is packed with natural nutrients and antioxidants!
Yerba mate contains 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids and 11 polyphenols; a group of phytochemicals that act as powerful antioxidants. (Click here for list of nutrients.)
In addition to polyphenols, contain yerba mate leaves saponins. Saponins are phytochemicals that strengthen the immune system and protect the body against disease. This ‘natural purification compound’ (glycosides) is found in a wide range of plants and binds with cholesterol, preventing it from being absorbed into the system and excreted from the body.
Researchers from the Pasteur Institute and the Scientific Society of Paris have examined yerba mate and concluded that yerba mate is virtually contains all necessary vitamins and minerals for a healthy life and plays a very important role in the cell regeneration process.
Some properties attributed to yerba mate:
- Energy-enhancing effect
- Supports immune and nervous system strengthening
- Helps with weight loss (fat breaking)
- No colourings, aromas or flavourings
- Helps purify the blood
- Supports gastrointestinal tract stimulation | digestion
- Stimulates the ability to concentrate
- Reduces fatigue, boosts stamina
- Overall body and humour frog
- Increases healthy lifestyle
Each cup of yerba mate includes:
Vitamin: A, C, E, B1, B2, Niacin (B3), B5, B Complex
Minerals: calcium, manganese, iron, selenium, nickel, potassium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus
Other connections: fatty acids, chlorophyll, flavonols, polyphenols, saponins, trace elements, antioxidants, pantothenic acid and 15 amino acids.
Theophylline, theobromine and caffeine
Yerba mate also contains caffeine, but in much smaller quantities than coffee.
Matein
Independent Hygiene Institute's investigators from Hamburg, Germany, came to the conclusion that yerba mate matein which helps relax muscles. For example, it can help well in treatment of asthma because yerba mate dilates the bronchus which reduces shortness of breath.
Matein has been shown to have a chemical composition similar to that of caffeine, but matein does not harm the body. Even people sensitive to caffeine are able to drink yerba mate without side effects.
Yerba mate and slimming
Yerba mate is a great help in losing weight at the same time as good nutrition, regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle. Check out our special ‘slimming’ yerba's.
- yerba mate increases metabolism (fat-burning)
- regulates appetite
- stimulates digestion
- is thermogenic; body is stimulated to burn calories
- provides antioxidants, minerals, amino acids and vitamins to support a healthy lifestyle
Antioxidants:
Yerba mate / Green tea
Yerba mate and green tea share some of the same health benefits. Therefore, it is useful to compare them. Both yerba mate and green tea contain antioxidants but yerba mate has been found to contain more antioxidants than green tea. Yerba mate boasts an impressive 196 active compounds compared to the 144 found in green tea. It has also been found that yerba mate's higher antioxidant activity is linked to a slightly higher concentration of polyphenols, namely chlorogenic acid. Chlorogenic acid is one of the main constituents responsible for the antioxidant effect of yerba mate. This is consistent with the fact that yerba mate has been shown to be more cytotoxic to cancer cells than green tea.
Yerba mate is known for its energy-boosting effects. This is undoubtedly due to its xanthine compounds, of which caffeine is the most important. Yerba mate contains a concentration of caffeine similar to that in coffee and is more than in green tea. Other xanthines in yerba mate that serve to enhance its stimulant effect are theobromine (also found in chocolate) and theophylline. These are compounds not found in other teas. The concentration of saponin compounds in yerba mate is higher than in other teas. Yerba mate probably owes its anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties to the saponins.
Below are three interesting scientific studies (in English) regarding the benefits of the polyphenols and antioxidants found in yerba mate:
Click here to read the pdf on Mutation Prevention download.
Click here to read the pdf on Atherosclerosis attenuation (reducing arteriosclerosis) download.
Click here to read the pdf on Polyphenols (polyphenols) download.
Heart and vessels
Yerba mate is used as a staple food for the body; it is nutritious, suppresses appetite and gives you the energy of a complete meal. Because of the stimulating effects of Xanthine on the nervous system combined with the action of the other substances, the body's cardiovascular activity is enhanced. Mineral salts combined with Xanthine help heart and vessels work better by lowering blood pressure, as Xanthine acts as a vasodilator.
Nervous system
Yerba Mate is basically a stimulating drink, which eliminates fatigue and stimulates mental and physical activity without side effects. Drinking yerba mate makes you more resistant to mental and physical fatigue and offers the mind resistance to depression. The vitamin B complex can boost sugar intake in human muscles and the nervous system. But it also improves the ability to concentrate.
Stomach and intestines
Yerba mate balances the movements of the intestines and supports the digestive process and relieves stomach problems. It can act as a very mild laxative and mild diuretic (diuretic). Carbohydrates are digested faster, making it easier to burn calories. Yerba mate stimulates increased urine production and is very useful for bladder problems. The stimulating properties of yerba mate last longer than those of coffee and has no side effects, such as insomnia and irritability.
Immune system
Vitamin C and E act as natural defences against disease; yerba mate supports and stimulates the efficacy of the immune system.
Chemical composition
Studies show that yerba mate (among others) has the following components: water, cellulose, dextrin, plant mucilage, glucose, pentose, fatty substances, aromatic resin, legumin, albumin, xanthine, theophylline, caffeine, folic acid, caffeic acid, viridian acid, chlorophyll, cholesterin and volatile oil. The substance contains large amounts of potassium, lithium, folic acid, sulphuric acid, carbon, chlorine, citric acid, magnesium, manganese, iron, aluminium and arsenic traces.
Xanthine, theophylline and theobromine are three strongly related alkaloids found in yerba mate and are the most interesting compounds from a therapeutic point of view. The yerba mate's xanthine ratio averages 1.60%, while it is 1.10% in an infusion (the tea).
Average composition (g) of Yerba Mate (100 g)
| Head 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Moisture Proteins Carbohydrates Starch Glucose Fibres | Minum quantity 5.36 8.30 9.70 2.56 1.30 14.96 | Maximum quantity 9,80 13.45 14.18 6.63 6.14 19.95 | Average quantity 8.17 10.89 12.04 4.55 3.84 16.96 |
Mineral composition (g) of Yerba Mate (100 gr.)
| Head 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Fabric Chlorine Sulphur Phosphorus Calcium Magnesium Potassium Sodium Iron (MGS)% Copper (MGS) Manganese (MGS) | Minum quantity 6.310 0,082 0.082 0,074 0.597 0.134 1,181 0,000 0,000 0.600 30.200 | Maximum quantity 7.780 0,160 0.168 0,214 0.824 0.484 1,554 0,003 94.000 1.600 183.000 | Average quantity 6.910 0,116 0.125 0,120 0.668 0.337 1,350 0,002 59.900 1.260 133.180 |
Vitamin composition of Yerba Mate (100 gr.)
| Head 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Carotene (MGS) Carotene (vitamin A UI) Thiamine (gamma) Riboflavin Ascorbic acid | Minum quantity 0.639 1,065 62.300 246.000 8.200 | Maximum quantity 2.267 3,779 313.100 573.900 20.700 | Average quantity 1.234 2,095 222.700 404.300 11.900 |
Possible side effects
Real yerba mate is believed to be a safe supplement and is on the US FDA's GRAS list (Generally Regarded As Safe). Nevertheless, on rare occasions side effects may occur after very excessive and prolonged use. In some cases, using yerba mate can have adverse effects such as anxiety, insomnia, nausea and headaches.
Yerba Mate contains caffeine and should not be used by those who are are sensitive or allergic to caffeine. Although it is known that some people who are sensitive to caffeine can still drink yerba mate without side effects.
Due to the caffeine in yerba mate, people with hypertension, cardiovascular disorders, ulcers and other diseases be careful when drinking yerba mate. Always consult with your doctor.
The caffeine in yerba mate makes it pregnant women discouraged drink yerba mate during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Although decaffeinated tea can be an alternative, it is always wise to talk to your doctor about drinking herbal tea.
Using large quantities Pennyroyal is highly inadvisable at kidney disease because of its diuretic effect and as women want to get pregnant or are already pregnant.
Using large quantities Guarana in combination with certain blood thinners (coumarin derivatives) should be strongly avoided. As with other caffeine-containing products, people with heart problems or high blood pressure Avoid using large quantities of Guarana.
Yerba mate has been reported to have MAO inhibitory activity in an in vitro study. Those individuals who MAOIs should use yerba mate with caution and monitor possible effects closely. Always consult with your doctor.
Sources
Yerba Mate - La bebida que revitaliza. Gobierno de la provincia de Misiones.
Secretaria de comercio exterior e integración. Argentina
Valduga, Eunice. Chemical and anatomic characterisation of Ilex paraguariensis Saint Hilaire leaf and some species used in adulterating Yerba Maté. Post-graduation thesis presented at the University of Paraná, Curitiba, in 1995.
Información del texto “Yerba Mate - Para una salud mejor” de Daniel Mowrey, Ph.D.
