Drinking yerba mate from tea leaves or taken as a powder gives you a mild dose of caffeine and a nutritional source of mental alertness, energy and good health. Recognized for the potential to fight cancer and lessen inflammation that causes diseases offers you an even better reason to consider taking the powder or tea. (x)
Preparing and drinking yerba mate like a tea beverage, South America has enjoyed the brew for centuries, even before the Spanish colonization, where they call it “the tea of the gods,” and from there, the popularity expanded throughout the world. It will forever be the drink of South America as it is the national beverage in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay and consumed in Southern Brazil, Southern Chile, Bolivian Chaco and Syria. Syria is the largest importer with Lebanon at a close second since the Argentina immigrants brought the popular drink to these countries.
The Pasteur Institute, located in Paris, discovered in 1964 that yerba mate tea powder contains almost all the vitamins available to sustain life on this planet. It is so rare to find a plant that has this essential nutritional value. (x)
People make tea from the leaves of the plant while others use it as a powder. In the powder form, you can add it to your smoothies or take it as a capsule. But, check with your doctor for diagnoses, accurate medical information and permission before taking any supplements.
What is Yerba Mate?
Classified under the holly family (Aquifoliaceae) as a species with llex paraguariensis A as its botanical name, the plant grows as an evergreen tree or shrub. Centuries ago, Jesuit missionaries came to South America and learned of its sacred and valued properties and decided to cultivate the plant from its wild state. They were able to grow the shrub much smaller and condense the plant’s properties, so the result was a higher-quality tea. Requiring specific soil and climate, it grows commercially in regions of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay today. (x)
In the botanical essence of the word, yerba mate is not a real tea, but the stems and leaves are steeped like tea in hot water after it ages one year in cedar containers. From there, the distribution of the product consists of bottled or canned drinks, tea bags, loose-leaf tea, and powder form. Some describe the taste of the tea as a mild blend of grass and herbs, similar to different kinds of green teas. It includes tannins (x) and, as mentioned before, caffeine, which is similar to black tea but not as astringent.
The yerba mate leaf powder contains caffeine, though it is less than coffee or black tea. That way, you will not experience the jitters as you get a boost of energy from the 196 active compounds in the powder compared to 144 in green tea. Those compounds include vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Yerba mate tea powder contains more polyphenol and antioxidants than both black and green teas. (x) Polyphenol contains antioxidants that fight free radicals that are harmful to your body as it helps to protect the body from chronic disease. It is essential to discuss the benefits of taking yerba mate powder with your health practitioner.
Yerba Mate Powder Benefits
What are the benefits of taking yerba mate tea powder? Scientific research over the decades has proven yerba mate benefits are abundant with indications of treating cancer to fortifying your body with nutrients that give you a boost of energy in a balanced method compared to other caffeinated sources. Here are five scientifically supported benefits of taking yerba mate powder.
Increase Overall Nutrient Consumption
You may increase your overall nutrient consumption by drinking one cup of tea or taking a capsule of yerba mate leaf powder. The plant contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B5 and B complex, C, and E. The plant even contains certain essential minerals, including iron, calcium, potassium, manganese, selenium, magnesium, zinc and phosphorus. The nutritional value continues with fatty acids, carotene, chlorophyll, polyphenols, flavanols, inositol, trace minerals, tannins, antioxidants and around 15 amino acids. (x)
Destroys Colon Cancer Cells
A scientific study indicated that yerba mate tea has both anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory capabilities. The plant contains caffeoylquinic acid (CQA), which may effectively treat colon cancer. Reportedly, the in vitro (test tube) cancer cells died when subjected to the bioactive components contained in one cup of the tea beverage. The scientists also reported that when they increased the CQA concentration, the cancer cells died due to apoptosis. Apoptosis happens within an organism as a multicellular phenomenon. A cell will deliberately decide to die for the greater good of the organism, particularly when the DNA of a cell is damaged and seems dangerous. The study also indicated that the caffeine in yerba mate induced death in the colon cancer cells and reduced any signs of inflammation. (x)
Supports Weight Loss
Yerba mate extract powder contains saponins, particularly ursolic acid and oleanolic acid glycosides. Saponins have many health-giving qualities as they help raise the lipid metabolism of your body. This means the compound helps breakdown stored fats for energy in your body. Studies indicate animal models that consumed the tea had their fat weight reduced. (x)
Yerba mate powder also increases fat burning (oxidation) and energy expenditure while exercising. The Nutrition & Metabolism reported the effects of yerba mate on healthy females and males, which concluded yerba mate consumption increases the exercise usefulness for sports performance and weight loss. (x)
Yet, another study, as a double-blind method, indicated that yerba mate powder supplementation lowered body fat mass—a percentage of body fat with waist-hip ratio. The study showed strong anti-obesity capabilities without substantial adverse effects, concluding yerba mate powder may be a successful way to fight obesity. (x)
Boost the Immune System
Because yerba mate leaf powder contains saponins, which have a positive influence on blood cholesterol levels as well as cancer and bone health, the compound also boosts the immune system. Possessing a substantial amount of anti-inflammatory properties saponins even helps your body by safeguarding it against diseases in general.
Taking yerba mate also increases your consumption of phytochemicals through phytonutrients, which are plant-based antioxidants that strengthen your body’s defenses. (x)
Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Based on several studies proves that the intake of yerba mate powder may naturally advance serum lipid levels. Hence it lowers cholesterol levels. The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry gave an account of how yerba mate intake lowered LDL (bad) cholesterol for healthy dyslipidemic subjects. People with dyslipidemic experience high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides or both, but are still considered healthy. Yerba mate also helped lower the LDL-cholesterol for those on statin therapy, a drug for lowering bad cholesterol. Since the plant lowers bad cholesterol, it may also help reduce the chances of different kinds of cardiovascular diseases. (x)
How to Use Yerba Mate Powder
Taking yerba mate tea powder as a capsule form may be the best option for you. But, discuss it with your doctor to determine the recommended daily dosage. Most supplements suggest a daily dose based on a 2,000 calorie a day diet of 1800 mg, preferably with meals at breakfast or lunch. Taking the supplement late in the day may interrupt your sleep pattern because of its caffeine.
The Side Effects of Yerba Mate Powder
If you take yerba mate leaf powder in moderation, you should be safe from the supplement’s adverse effects. The plant does contain caffeine, so you mustn’t consume yerba mate powder late in the day or close to bedtime. It can disrupt our sleeping habits.
The most common side effects are from caffeine, which includes:
· Trouble sleeping
· Upset stomach
· Nausea, and nervousness
· Increased breathing and heart rate
· Irregular heartbeat
· Ringing in the ears
Experiencing one or more of the above side effects may mean you have to cut back on the amount of yerba mate powder supplement you are taking or discuss it with your doctor.
The supplement has no known dangers to healthy adults who take it moderately or drink the tea occasionally. Nevertheless, some studies report that individuals drinking copious amounts of the hot tea beverage over extended periods may increase the likelihood of certain kinds of cancer, including oral cavity, larynx, esophagus, lung, bladder and kidney. (x)
Combining yerba mate powder with smoking seems to increase the possibility of cancer even more. The reason is yerba mate contains carcinogens, properties that cause the formation of cancer, called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Tobacco smoke contains PAHs as does grilled meat. (x)
A significant study in South America, where yerba mate is extensively consumed, showed a higher rate of esophageal cancer in individuals who consumed yerba mate. The higher the temperature of the tea beverage associated more with the increase of cancer. (x)
Pregnant or breastfeeding women, including children, should not consume yerba mate. If you have blood-clotting problems, high blood pressure, anxiety, alcoholism, diabetes or any chronic health issue, confirm with your health practitioner before you start taking yerba mate tea powder.
Where to Buy Yerba Mate Powder
You can purchase Yerba Mate Powder at BulkSupplements.com. The company is an industry-leading manufacturer and distributor for pure dietary supplements. BulkSupplements.com is not just a consumer brand. It also supplies pure ingredients to other brands that distribute food and other supplement products. All products at BulkSupplements.com are manufactured and tested according to current and proper manufacturing practices.
Are you interested in trying the yerba mate powder to support your immune system, cardiovascular health, weight loss and overall health? Contact BulkSupplements.com to place an order today.
Bottom Line
Yerba mate is one of the most popular tea beverages in South America and is accepted all over the world. Scientific studies suggest consuming the powder may kill colon cancer cells, advance regular nutrient consumption, boost the immune system, lower cholesterol levels and support beneficial weight loss.
Yerba mate almost has as much caffeine as coffee, including properties that may help you feel better. If, after discussing it with your doctor, you decide to take the supplement, you should be aware of the side effects, so you’ll know if you are having any adverse reactions to the caffeine.
If you have any health concerns mentioned in this article, you may want to determine whether taking yerba mate powder is beneficial to your body.
The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.