If you’re thinking about using a yerba mate supplement for energy, mental clarity or weight loss, you need to know exactly what to look for to choose the right one.
You have several options, but knowing which one is the best for your unique needs is a little trickier. We hope to help you with that today!
Yerba Mate Supplement Guide
This yerba mate guide will show you how the popular herb is used, its many benefits, its various forms and much more.
Let’s dig in.
What is Yerba Mate?
Yerba mate is made from the nourishing leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis tree – a famed holly tree found in the rainforests of South America.
Its leaves are naturally caffeinated and typically contain roughly 15 amino acids, 24 vitamins and an abundance of antioxidants.
Inherently nutritious, yerba mate is known to be the most balanced of all the common stimulants (coffee, cocoa, tea, etc).
Yerba Mate Uses
The most common use of yerba mate is for more energy and increased mental clarity. People flock to it because it energizes without the jitters associated with other caffeine sources.
Another common use is as a weight loss supplement. It’s important to note that yerba mate does not actively shed pounds, but it is effective as a means of appetite control.
It has also been shown to improve the output of energy and fat oxidation during workouts, making regular exercise that much more effective.
For these reasons, this versatile herb is a popular addition to an established weight loss plan.
Of course the uses for yerba mate don’t stop there, but the uses somewhat merge with its benefits, which we’ll talk more about in the next section.
Benefits of Yerba Mate Supplements
Yerba mate benefits include everything from preventing cancer to reducing high blood pressure. The list is even more extensive if you include anecdotal evidence, but we’ll just look at the benefits of yerba mate supplements that are backed by scientific evidence.
1. It Stimulates the Immune System
Rich in polyphenols and phytochemicals known as saponins, yerba mate works to protect the body against infection, protect against cancer and boost bone health. Yerba mate is also highly anti-inflammatory.
Since the root of nearly every disease involves inflammation of some sort, you can see how beneficial yerba mate is at fending off countless conditions.
2. It Can Reduce Bad Cholesterol
Yerba mate has a natural ability to increase serum lipid levels, which leads to lower cholesterol. Thanks to this unique characteristic, yerba mate can also reduce your risk for developing heart disease.
3. It Can Fight Colon Cancer
Along with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties, yerba mate contains a constituent known as caffeolyquinic acid (CQA) that’s been shown to kill human colon cancer cells.
Interestingly enough, scientists revealed that just one cup of yerba mate was enough to induce death in cancerous in-vitro cells.
4. It’s a Great Multi-Vitamin
We already mentioned yerba mate’s rich vitamin content, but it also contains an array of important minerals such as selenium, magnesium, zinc, calcium and more.
On top of that, it’s packed with fatty acids, flavonols, tannins, inositol, carotene and other vital nutrients.
5. It Can Improve Your Skin
Rich in leucine and vitamin A, yerba mate can lead to softer, smoother skin. It may not be enough to replace your favorite skin serum, but it’s certainly a nice side effect.
Different Forms of Yerba Mate
Overseas, yerba mate is a popular tea served inside a gourd and sipped through a “bombilla” or metal straw that acts as a filter to strain the leaves.
Yerba mate tea is popular in America too, and you can even find it bottled just like a green tea beverage in most health food stores.
It’s also available in loose leaf tea bags that you brew just like typical tea.
Yerba mate powder is another option. This option is good if you want to purchase in bulk. You can also find yerba mate supplements in pill or capsule form.
Still the most potent option tends to be a yerba mate extract or tincture. This form is generally more concentrated, allowing you to reap more benefits in a smaller dose.
Cautions When Taking a Yerba Mate Supplement
If you’re extra sensitive to caffeine, yerba mate may be too much of a stimulant for you. Also, keep in mind that it shouldn’t be mixed with alcohol due to its caffeine content.
Again with the caffeine, it’s not recommended to supplement with yerba mate before bed as it can disrupt sleep.
Individuals on asthma medication shouldn’t combine that with yerba mate because side effects associated with the asthma med can be exacerbated by the herb.
How to Choose the Best Yerba Mate Supplement
Some low-quality yerba mate supplements have been found to contain lead, so it’s important to source this herb from a reputable company.
As with any other supplement, it’s also important to consider the other ingredients within it.
All too often they’ll contain additives or chemicals or even something as simple as refined sugar – things you don’t want in any supplement.
Last but not least, a yerba mate supplement’s quality can be affected by things such as the drying methods used, age of its leaves and even surrounding light.
That’s why it’s important to buy yerba mate from a reputable company who cares about your health and isn’t trying to just make a quick buck.
We hope this guide helps you choose the best yerba mate supplement for you. If you have any questions, please let us know!
And if you’re looking for more energy with yerba mate, try our all-natural Envigor-8 energy supplement!
It’s 100% organic and vegan with no artificial ingredients. Organic yerba mate is the star of the show, but it also contains 7 more of nature’s most energizing, effective herbs.
As always, $2 from every bottle you purchase goes to charity!