Everything You Need to Know About Yerba Mate

The yellow bottle full of goodness, better known as yerba mate, has been making a big splash in the energy drink market. Oftentimes, when you go to the gym, you see people taking pre-workout, but what is the difference between all of these products? 

The most important thing to do when picking which energy beverage to drink, you should take a peek at the ingredients label. See if they actually give you energy without a crash and what the benefits are with every sip you take.

What is Yerba Mate?

Yerba mate comes from the native species of the holly trees from South America called llex paraguariensis. These trees are found deep in the South American rainforests and their leaves contain caffeine. These leaves also contain different minerals that are dried and finely ground so people can enjoy it as a tea. 

Ingredients

If you are trying to make sure an energy drink fits your dietary needs, you’re in luck because yerba mate contains several beneficial plant ingredients. The three main ingredients in a yerba leaf are caffeine, theobromine and theophylline, which are all found in plant foods and pure alkaline. These different ingredients can also be found in teas and chocolate. 

Medical Benefits

Many health professionals and herbalists have opted to use yerba leaves to help patients with different illnesses. It has been found to help with arthritis, headache, constipation, hemorrhoids, obesity, fatigue and much more. Studies have shown that yerba mate can help with weight loss, anti-diabetic actions, digestion improvement, anti-fatigue and stimulant actions, which is a lot to consider as a bottle of yerba mate can fulfill you in many different ways. 

Theobromine, a main ingredient in chocolate, has a number of health benefits. It’s known to help lower blood pressure, increase airflow in lungs, promote weight loss, and improve heart and brain activity. Theophylline, which can also be found in black tea, helps prevent and treat different illnesses. It has been shown that it can help and prevent wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness that causes asthma, bronchitis and other lung diseases. The medical benefits that yerba mate promotes will not only keep you healthy and prevent illnesses but also gives you energy. 

Yerba Pre-Workout

After a long day of work, sometimes you need a little extra energy to have a good workout. Some people choose to take pre-workout, which has no nutritional value. The difference between top pre-workout brands and yerba mate is that yerba mate gives you energy that lasts. It contains 24 vitamins and minerals, 15 amino acids and an abundance of polyphenols. It keeps you going after a hard workout. 

Other Energy Drinks 

Most people believe that taking pre-workout is meant to give you energy before you begin your workout, and for most, that could be the case – but what are those energy drinks and supplements really doing to your body? In studies, pre-workout has been shown to improve overall performance but its actual purpose is to recover and ease the fatigue of intense workout. The main ingredient for a lot of these pre-workout drinks includes caffeine, which will help those stay focused during workouts. At least one serving of it can equal three cups of coffee, which is quite a lot! 

How is yerba mate made?

The leaves are hand-harvested by the native yerbateros (cultivators) from small farms and indigenous communities in Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. After the leaves have been picked, the leaves are dried and ground before being placed inside a gourd with the yerba leaves and hot water. Once this process is complete, the drink is ready to be enjoyed! 

The company Yerba Mate has a saying, “Better with Friends,” which comes from the symbol of friendship by Yari and the mythical goddess of mate. When the traditional drink is made, the leaves are infused with hot water in a gourd. The liquid is then filtered with a metal straw called a bombilla which is meant to be shared with friends and family. This tradition has been passed down for generations, truly living out the idea that it’s enjoyed “Better with Friends.”