What is Yerba Mate?

Yerba Mate is taking the world by storm. This slightly astringent tasting bitter drink has people clamoring for more. But what makes Yerba mate so special? Why do people work hard to acquire a taste for it and then can't seem to get enough of it? This article will answer these burning questions, and a few others, about Yerba mate.

Yerba Mate is a tea like beverage found mainly in Argentina, Paraguay and Southern Brazil. But Yerba Mate is not derived from a tea plant. It is a completely different drink from a completely different area of the world. It has the ability to stimulate the mind without giving you the nervousness and jitters that coffee and tea can produce. Yerba Mate has been called the Drink of the Gods because of it's multitude of health benefits.

Let's look at some of the health benefits of Yerba Mate.

1. Improves mental clarity. It has been proven to increase mental alertness and acuity and has been useful in treating disorders such as depression, eating disorders, Parkinson's disease, hypertension and substance abuse.

2. It reduces fatigue by sustaining energy levels. The metabolic effects of Yerba Mate includes the ability to continue to breakdown carbohydrates for a long period of time after exercise to increase the amount of calories that are burned.

3. Boosts the immune system. Yerba mate has been found to have a number of powerful saponins, which are phytochemicals that stimulate the body's immune system to help protect against disease.

4. Helps to relieve allergies. Yerba Mate stimulates the adrenal gland to produce corticosteroids that aid in decreasing inflammation and the immune response associated with allergies, such as hay fever.

5. Improves digestion. It can increase bile flow which aids in digestion.

6. Weight loss aid. Yerba Mate can also be used as a weight loss tea. It has been proven to delay gastric emptying, therefore increasing a feeling of fullness. This increased feeling of fullness results in less calories consumed and significant weight loss.

7. Fights bad breath. Polyphenols found in Yerba Mate has been shown to prevent the growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath.

8. Helps in treatment of diabetes. A study conducted by researchers in 2005 suggested that Yerba Mate has the potential to address the complications associated with hyperglycemia.

9. Contains anti-cancer properties. Yerba Mate contains a multitude of powerful antioxidants which can help the body fight cancer cells.

Yerba Mate has been described as being a "whole body tonic." It is said to have all of the necessary vitamins to sustain life. Each infusion of Yerba Mate contains vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, Niacin, B3, B5 and B Complex. It also contains the minerals Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Selenium, Potassium, Magnesium, Phosphorus, and Zinc. In addition, it contains various fatty acids, flavonols, trace minerals, anitioxidants and 15 amino acids. It is truly a complete dietary supplement.

Yerba Mate can be ordered online or you may be able to find it at your favorite health food store. If you are looking for the perfect drink to enhance your good health, give Yerba Mate a try.