What Is Yerba Mate Tea?
Yerba mate (pronounced YAIR buh MAH tay) tea is a South American tea which is becoming more popular in other parts of the world. It has a rich cultural history and is promoted for its health benefits.The PlantYerba mate tea consists of the dried leaves and stems of the tree Ilex paraguarensis, which grows in South America. The tea is usually light green in color and, depending on the mixture of leaves with stems, can look like small, thin pieces of straw or more like a coarse green powder. The flavor of the tea can be described as smoky, woody, grassy or bitter.Health BenefitsYerba mate tea contains a stimulant called mateine, which may be less addictive than caffeine. As a result, supporters of yerba mate tea say the beverage promotes mental alertness without the side effects of caffeinated beverages. Yerba mate is also rich in antioxidants, and tests have shown the tea helps increase blood flow and reduce fat accumulation.RisksSome studies have shown that people who drink large quant
