Yerba mate tea has been with us for centuries, but we are only now starting to understand its usefulness. Today, we wanted to talk about the benefits that scientists are starting to discover about yerba mate and how they can help you.

What is Yerba Mate Tea?

Before we look at the benefits, let’s look at what yerba mate tea is and where it comes from. The yerba mate plant is indigenous to South America, and it has been used by at least two civilizations there for medicinal purposes since before the time of colonization. Use as a tea has been common for centuries, but today, you can find yerba mate in everything from smoothies to topical creams.

The Benefits of Yerba Mate Tea

Yerba mate tea has many different benefits for the human body, all of which you can get whether you drink it as a tea on its own or enjoy it in a smoothie or other drink. Here are the top benefits that people have discovered about yerba mate and what that may mean for you.

1. Rich in antioxidants

One of the main benefits that scientists have discovered about yerba mate tea is that it is rich in antioxidants. Specifically, yerba mate has four kinds of antioxidants: xanthines, caffeoyl derivatives, saponins, and polyphenols. While each of these powerful, natural compounds have their benefits, generally they are known to stimulate, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, and act as an anti-inflammatory. Together, that means more potential health benefits, simply from the antioxidants alone.

2. May protect against infections

There is preliminary research that has suggested that yerba mate tea, and the compounds inside, could act as a natural antimicrobial. The research showed that yerba mate deactivated the harmful effects of E.coli, which is a bacteria connected to food poisoning. There is also research that shows that yerba mate may be helpful in preventing infections from fungi as well, making it a potential key part in fighting the infections of the future.

3. Lowers blood sugar rates

Drinking yerba mate tea could help your body lower its blood sugar levels. This could be incredibly important for anyone that suffers from high blood sugar and the subsequent crashes that can occur. Of course, drinking yerba mate tea is not an alternative to medical treatment for diseases like diabetes, but drinking it as part of your regular diet could help you control blood sugar levels within a certain spectrum.

4. May lower your risk of heart disease

With lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and lower blood sugar, all of which have been connected to compounds found inside yerba mate tea, there is potential for this tea to help lower the chances of heart disease. Of course, you cannot escape genetic factors, but regular yerba mate could boost your chances of avoiding or delaying heart disease.

5. Can boost energy and increase focus

One of the more immediate advantages of regularly drinking yerba mate tea is the energy boost and mental focus that happens. Yerba mate contains caffeine, which is linked to increased energy and mental activity, and this could give you the boost you need during the day.

6. Can enhance your physical performance

Speaking of caffeine, yerba mate tea contains a unique combination of antioxidants and caffeine that could help you in physical activity. One study found that those who took yerba mate before working out burned 24% more fat with moderate-intensity workouts. That means the tea could help you maximize your workouts and increase your performance in any physical activities.

7. Can help you lose weight

The study mentioned above showed that people who drink yerba mate tea before a workout could end up burning more fat. Compounds in the tea are also known to decrease appetite while boosting metabolism. Essentially, yerba mate tea can tell your body to burn its stored energy, ie. fat cells, when you are exercising, meaning that you can lose weight more effectively.

8. May boost your immune system

No one wants to be put out by sickness. That is why we need our immune systems working at their absolute best. The antioxidant saponin, which is very common in yerba mate tea, has been connected to increased immune system response, as well as to anti-inflammatory properties. Vitamin C and other compounds that are known to potentially boost the immune system are also in yerba mate, meaning your immune system could be boosted even further.

While research is still ongoing, there is a lot of promising preliminary evidence that suggests yerba mate tea is good for you, a natural stimulant, and one that has few to no side effects. Whether you are drinking it as a hot tea or enjoying it in a smoothie, you can unlock the benefits of yerba mate. It may be the key to feeling healthier, more productive, and focused.