What are the benefits of mate tea? For many Ukrainians, it’s not just a question of "what are the benefits," but the very name "mate tea" causes confusion. And that’s not surprising! It is an exotic drink, consumption of which is not yet widespread in our country. However, thanks to specialized tea shops and lovers of something unusual, its popularity in Ukraine grows every year. Some consider it purely an herbal tea, others compare it to green tea, some appreciate the slightly bitter and distinctive taste of mate, others are impressed by its variety (it can be golden, green, white, red, brown), and some enjoy the hint of smokiness present in its taste and aroma. In any case, the drink has found its fans in our country and deserves careful attention not only from connoisseurs but also from people who can later appreciate its unique taste and aroma, and most importantly — its healing benefits for the body. Agree, it’s pleasant to realize and even better to actually feel the positive effects of green mate on the body, which invigorates and tones no worse than coffee.
What is mate tea?
Mate tea is a unique product made from dried and crushed leaves and stems of an evergreen tree (shrub) — the Paraguayan holly, which grows exclusively in Latin American countries. The plant lives about 100 years and can reach up to 15 meters in height. In South America, the holly is cultivated on large plantations; the raw material is well dried, not fermented, finely ground, sometimes into powder. As a result, everyone can enjoy a unique drink with a bit of bitterness, a bit of sweetness, and an herbal aroma.
Benefits and harms of mate tea
When discussing the benefits and harms of mate tea, it is worth emphasizing the following: the beneficial properties of mate are surrounded by ancient Indian legends. The indigenous people of South America sincerely believed and still believe in the magical origin and valuable composition of the drink. For centuries, it was believed that with proper consumption one could quickly quench thirst, fully restore lost strength, and eliminate hunger. Realizing the benefits of mate, many missionaries in the 16th century built successful businesses on the “green gold,” buying valuable raw materials for pennies from trusting Indians, while it was worth much more in Europe. Green mate often saved sailors from fever and scurvy, filled them with energy, and restored their strength.
Modern people may be interested in the benefits of mate tea, so let's look at its properties.
Description of mate tea properties
Note! Green mate contains more than 200 beneficial components. Regular consumption of this exotic drink means receiving enough:
- Trace elements: copper, magnesium, sodium, potassium, iron, manganese, sulfur…
- Tannins and other tannic substances…
- Organic acids essential for health: resinous, nicotinic, isobutyric…
- Vitamins: A, C, E, B, P.
- A wide range of amino acids.
Consuming dry mate leaves is beneficial and pleasant for both women and men! It is drunk for pleasure, enjoying the amazing taste, and for medicinal effect. Many prefer green mate for its excellent tonic properties that help restore strength, relieve fatigue, nervousness, anxiety, improve mood, and increase physical activity. Regular mate drinking can help get rid of insomnia and obsessive anxiety. This is thanks to sufficient mateine — a powerful alkaloid and "relative" of caffeine. Unlike caffeine, mateine does not cause excessive excitement, does not burden the cardiovascular system, and tones gently and for a long time. Mateine not only increases productivity but also strengthens immunity, enhancing resistance to viral infections. A cup of green mate has a tonic effect on the body for up to 10 hours without disrupting sleep. Impressive, isn’t it? No wonder it was drunk by Indians known for agility, speed, and strength…
A logical question arises: does mate raise blood pressure? Since caffeine raises blood pressure and is contraindicated for hypertensive patients, how does mateine act? The clear answer: it normalizes it. However, people with high blood pressure should not abuse it.
Benefits of mate
What else are the benefits of mate? The unique composition of this drink, with its vitamins and other organic substances, allows the body to heal naturally. The “green elixir”:
- normalizes metabolism,
- effectively suppresses hunger,
- removes slags and toxins from the body, promoting active weight loss without harming the nervous system,
- is used as a laxative and diuretic,
- lowers blood pressure,
- suppresses adrenaline production (important for those working in stressful conditions),
- helps get rid of insomnia, depressive and nervous states,
- increases mental activity,
- improves concentration,
- improves memory,
- strengthens the immune system,
- speeds recovery from viral diseases,
- positively affects liver function,
- improves digestion,
- lowers cholesterol levels,
- has preventive effects on atherosclerosis,
- cleans the blood from harmful substances,
- positively affects sexuality levels, important for both men and women,
- stimulates the production of the youth hormone,
- helps forget about alcohol (having a invigorating, slightly mood-enhancing effect, it blocks the desire to drink a couple of alcoholic drinks — a great way to lift your mood at a party without alcohol).
Mate tea contraindications
This natural drink can have both positive and negative effects on the body. The list of mate contraindications is shorter than its benefits, but some nuances should not be ignored:
- do not drink mate on an empty stomach — it can cause gastrointestinal problems,
- do not consume right before sleep — you may not fall asleep,
- the exotic drink is not drunk from a regular cup; it requires a calabash with a bombilla (a rounded cup without a handle with a special straw) — drinking from a simple cup risks damaging tooth enamel,
- do not overconsume — doctors recommend no more than 2 calabashes per day — excessive use can cause dry skin,
- do not drink hot — negatively affects the digestive system,
- use with caution in people with kidney diseases, allergies to theophylline and theobromine,
- harmful during fever and colds (only drink during recovery),
- not recommended for children under 10 years old.
Mate during pregnancy
Despite many positive qualities, mate consumption during pregnancy and breastfeeding is strictly prohibited. The tonic effect can cause negative uterine effects. Although some pregnant women occasionally allow themselves a cup of very weak mate.
Mate for weight loss
For many women, whether mate “helps to lose weight or not” is decisive for purchasing and regular consumption. Yes, it really helps get rid of extra kilos! At the same time, it preserves youth and beauty! We won’t describe scientific studies but simply say: if you drink 2 cups of green mate per day, over time this will positively affect your figure correction. Don’t forget to brew it correctly. Here are two of the most effective recipes.
Mate with milk
1 cup of this drink, necessarily warm:
- replaces a full breakfast,
- long-lastingly relieves hunger,
- nourishes the body with valuable substances,
- enhances work capacity.
Ingredients:
- 5 tablespoons of dry mate,
- 2 cups of skim milk,
- 2 teaspoons of honey,
- vanilla, cinnamon to taste and desire.
Pour milk into a saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Add the remaining ingredients, turn off the heat, and cover. Let steep for 5 minutes. Drink warm throughout the day. This drink significantly speeds up weight loss and soothes nervousness even during the strictest diet.
Mate with ginger and mint
Aromatic, tonic, tasty drink — an excellent means for figure correction.
Ingredients:
- 10 grams of dry mate,
- 4 grams of mint,
- 7 grams of ginger,
- 2 cups of soft purified water,
- 2 teaspoons of sugar.
Bring water to a boil on high heat, then add all ingredients on low heat. Remove from heat, cover, and steep for 10 minutes. Strain through a sieve and drink warm during the day.
One fan of Paraguayan mate left this review: “I have been a fan of this drink for 2 years and feel more than a hundred percent. I don’t gain weight. I lost extra kilos and now don’t regain weight. Good mood is always with me!”
Study mate tea’s harms and benefits! Millions of people in the past and today drink it for pleasure and health! It will positively affect your body and diversify everyday life. Agree, drinking an exotic drink from a round calabash with a bombilla is unusual, fresh, and individual. It’s not a traditional cup of tea or coffee. It’s a special lifestyle demonstrating your originality and sense of freedom, combined with a pursuit of healthy living and achieving your goals!
And finally, to those cautious about “foreign drinks of unclear origin”: if you drink Paraguayan coffee no more than 2–3 times a week — it will only benefit you.
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