Yerba mate, what is it ?
Yerba mate is widely known as the source of the beverage called mate in both Spanish and Portuguese, also called various other names in Portuguese like chimarrão, and tererê/tereré. It is traditionally consumed in central and southern regions of South America, primarily in Paraguay, as well as in Argentina, Uruguay, southern and central-western Brazil, the Chaco region of Bolivia and southern Chile. It is also very popular among the Druze community in Syria and Lebanon, where it is imported from Argentina. Yerba mate was initially utilized and cultivated by the Guaraní people and in some Tupí communities in southern Brazil, prior to European colonization. Yerba mate can also be found in various energy drinks on the market today.
I met this herb for the first time two years ago on the YouTube channel called "Czajnikowy". Czajnikowy is a man who is presenting various teas and herbs on his chnnel. I was fascinated and said I had to try it.
Health
Yerba mate contains a variety of polyphenols such as the flavonoids quercetin and rutin. Yerba mate contains three xanthines: caffeine, theobromine and theophylline, the main one being caffeine. Caffeine content varies between 0.7% and 1.7% of dry weight (compared with 0.4–9.3% for tealeaves, 2.5–7.6% in guarana, and up to 3.2% for ground coffee); theobromine content varies from 0.3% to 0.9%; theophylline is present in small quantities, or can be completely absent. A substance previously called "mateine" is a synonym for caffeine (like theine and guaranine). Yerba mate also contains elements such as potassium, magnesium, and manganese . Mate also contains compounds that act as an appetite suppressant and possible weight loss tool, increases mental energy and focus, improves mood, and promotes deeper sleep; however, sleep may only be affected in people who are sensitive to caffeine. Mate is a much healthier replacement for coffee.