Yerba mate is a bush that grows in South America. The leaves of this plant are made into teas or infusions or used as a flavoring agent in foods. Argentina is the main producer of yerba mate and also its main consumer. The plant is not only enjoyed for its taste but also for its health benefits. Before taking yerba mate to treat any medical condition, please talk to a licensed health care practitioner.
Lowers Cholesterol
The consumption of yerba mate infusions lowers cholesterol and may reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease, according to researchers at the Federal University of Santa Catarina in Florianopolis, Brazil. In their study, published in 2009 in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, participants' LDL cholesterol levels dropped by 8.7 percent after 40 days of drinking yerba mate. High LDL cholesterol levels are a risk factor in heart disease. HDL, or "good" cholesterol levels, increased in the yerba mate drinkers. The study participants consumed the herbal preparation three times per day. The researchers conclude that drinking yerba mate may reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease.
Reduces Fatigue
Yerba mate has been cultivated in Latin America since the 1600s when Jesuit missionaries first developed plantations of the tree. In 1994's "Neglected Crops: 1492 from a Different Prospective," author G.C. Giberti of the Centre of Pharmacological and Botanical Studies in Buenos Aires explains that the plant has stimulant qualities. Yerba mate contains 1 to 2 percent of caffeine by volume and is often consumed out of small gourds using a metal tube. Milk, sugar or other flavorings might be added. Side effects of ingesting a large quantity of yerba mate are similar to those that occur with drinking large amounts of caffeine.
Fights Disease
The website Natural News explains that yerba mate has a significant amount of nutrients and antioxidants. Some of the substances in yerba mate, such as polyphenols and saponins, might fight cancer by boosting an organism's immune system and fighting cellular damage. Vitamins and minerals contained in yerba mate include vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, iron, potassium and phosphorous.
References
- J Agric Food Chem; "Consumption of yerba mate improves serum lipid parameters..."; de Morais EC, et. al; 2009 Sep 23; 57(18):8316-24
- Purdue University Horticulture & Landscape Architecture: "Neglected Crops: 1492 from a Different Perspective": Mate
- Natural News: Yerba Mate -- South America's Health Drink
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