Yerba Mate Tea Benefits

Yerba Mate Tea comes from the yerba mate, or Ilex paraguariensis, a shrub that grows up to 15 meters tall in South America. This tea is a complement to green tea and provides several health benefits through its xanthines, polyphenols, saponins, minerals and pantothenic acid.

Tea or Soft Drink

• Yerba Mate tea is steeped in hot water instead of boiling water, like other teas. This prevents the tea from becoming bitter. Brazil serves a toasted version called "chá mate," with milk as a tea or sweetened as a soft drink.

Polyphenols

• Yerba Mate tea has 11 polyphenols. These phytochemical compounds are strong antioxidants that strengthen the immune system and protect the body's cellular structure.

Saponins

• The tea also contains saponins, another phytochemical that stimulates the immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties.

Vital Minerals

• Minerals like aluminum, chromium, copper, potassium and zinc are prevalent in yerba mate tea. These minerals boost the metabolism.

Xanthines

• Another booster in yerba mate tea are the xanthines caffeine, theophylline and theobromine, which have a relaxing affect on involuntary muscle while stimulating the heart muscles.

Pantothenic Acid

• Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, occurs in almost all foods but is particularly high in yerba mate tea. This vitamin helps the body absorb the B vitamins and assists the body in making the molecules responsible for the reproduction and repair of the body's cells.