Ditch Coffee, Yerba Maté Tea Can Be your Healthier Caffeine Fix

Yerba Maté tea will not only satisfy your caffeine cravings but also shower your body with health benefits.

You can get your caffeine rush and many other health benefits with Yerba Maté

(photo: iStock)

Adulthood for a lot of us millennials means doubling the cups of coffee to keep us going on a busy day. We completely ignore what those two, three or more cups of espresso or lattes do to our bodies.

But, what if you could not only satisfy your caffeine cravings but also get the benefits of ,say, a tea?

This is exactly where Yerba Maté or the "Drink of the Gods" comes to good use.

The loose leaf herbal tea is the national drink of Argentina (Photo: iStock)

What is Yerba Maté ?

Yerba Maté is a traditional South American tea that is made from the steeped leaves and stems of the 'Ilex paraguariensis' tree. The drink is consumed in a special ‘mate gourd’ cup (container) and is stirred with the help of 'bambilla' (metal straw), instead of a spoon.

When it comes to variety, Yerba Maté won't disappoint you. You will feel spoiled for choice, as there are plenty of flavours to experiment with. You can enjoy it with a mix of fruits like lemon, orange, grapefruit or with herbs such as mint and rosemary.

Yerba Maté Vs Coffee

Thanks to the caffeine, Coffee and Yerba Maté drinkers both experience a burst of energy and state of alert wakefulness.

So what really is the difference?

Which drink is better for you?(Photo: iStock/Altered by The Quint)

The difference lies in the impact and amount of caffeine which can be found in both the drinks.

The energy rush through caffeine in Yerba Maté is much milder. So you can say goodbye to the sleepless nights and afternoon caffeine jitters. Unlike coffee which gives you a sudden burst of energy (like a cola), Yerba Maté lets you enjoy the energy rise.

The amount of caffeine in both drinks also varies. You will find a lesser quantity of caffeine in Yerba Maté than coffee. For instance, Yerba Maté has less than 80 milligrams of caffeine in each cup compared to 100 to 200 milligrams in a cup of coffee.

Ideal For Sportsmen

It has become a favourite among world renowned sportsmen like Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr, and many other players. The reason is pretty simple. Yerba Maté enables them to maintain high energy levels throughout their 90 minutes on the field.

The drink consists of theobromine (chemical compound) that increases your blood flow and cognition, and makes it an excellent drink to consume before your workout session. The tea also slows the built up of lactic acid, that helps footballers recover quicker after a game.

No wonder sportsmen love it so much!

Benefits of Yerba Maté

Other than the already mentioned health benefits here are some more:

• Yerba Maté contains more antioxidants than even green tea
• It contains several vitamins and minerals that help support the bodies immune system
• The drink helps in weight management and burns stored fat
• Drinking Yerba Maté can help the body’s digestion system function more efficiently

When Should You Avoid Yerba Maté

As long as the drink is being consumed in moderation, there are no major health risks involved.

• Avoid drinking Yerba Maté if you are going through chemotherapy, anti-depressant medicines and other antibiotics.
• During Pregnancy drinking Yerba Maté is a big NO.
• People suffering from caffeine sensitivity may experience headaches or uneasiness.