Mate is a traditional South American beverage made from yerba mate leaves. Consumed for centuries, it is known for its numerous health benefits, including being a stimulant, diuretic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agent. Here are some specific advantages of mate for weight loss and concentration:
For Weight Loss:
Mate can assist with weight loss by boosting metabolism and reducing appetite. It contains compounds that stimulate thermogenesis, a process that burns fat and calories to generate heat in the body. Additionally, by curbing appetite, mate may help limit food cravings and decrease overall calorie intake.
For Concentration:
Mate contains caffeine and theobromine, two natural stimulants that can enhance concentration and mental alertness. These compounds stimulate the central nervous system and increase the production of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine, which are essential for focus, motivation, and mood.
Like all quality mates, Teatower mate can be beneficial for weight loss by stimulating metabolism and suppressing appetite, as well as for concentration by enhancing mental alertness and neurotransmitter production.
Its Cultivation:
Mate is derived from Ilex paraguariensis, an evergreen tree in the holly family. Primarily cultivated in Latin America, it is considered "green gold" of the continent!
In Argentina, "yerba mate" is the most consumed beverage, embodying a true ritual of sharing and togetherness. There is even an institute, a museum, and a national day dedicated to it.
Its VirtuesIn recent years, mate has embedded itself into Western culture due to its multiple benefits. It has become a vital ally for athletes, students during exams, active workers, and those seeking energy or weight loss.
> High in caffeine* (less than coffee but more than tea), mate is a stimulant for both physical and mental performance.
*Mate leaves are rich in mateine, a molecule that is identical to theine and caffeine, belonging to the family of methylxanthines.
- It helps maintain long-term focus, combat mental fatigue, and improve cognitive performance and memory.
- It offers an appetite-suppressing effect (increased sensation of fullness), a boost (stimulating fat burning and energy expenditure), and purifying qualities (diuretic properties).
- It helps combat muscle fatigue and reduce cramps by stimulating the body while preventing dehydration and lactic acid accumulation in cells.
> Extremely rich in antioxidants (more than green tea or red wine), mate supports the fight against oxidative stress and aging.
> Rich in vitamins A, B, C and minerals (iron and magnesium), mate is an indispensable ally for combating fatigue and balancing mood.
> Rich in polyphenols (catechins and flavonoids) with lipolytic properties, mate reduces fat absorption.
Mate can be enjoyed plain (its bitterness balanced with honey or sugar) or in a flavored recipe. In summer, the refreshing version known as “tereré” substitutes hot water with chilled fruit juice or sparkling lemonade.
Its Preparation
Traditionally, mate is prepared in a gourd: a dried and hollowed-out squash. However, it can be made in any container of your choice. Modern gourds made of stainless steel or silicone simplify the preparation and drinking of mate while providing extended durability and added features (like heat retention).
- Fill the gourd with mate up to ¾ full.
- Heat water to 95°C.
- While the water heats, add a little cold water to the gourd to moisten the mate.
- Then add the simmering water and let it steep for 5 to 10 minutes.
Its Tasting
The gourd is traditionally paired with a bombilla, a type of stainless steel straw with a filter at its end that prevents leaf residue from entering the drink. This allows you to sip mate directly from the gourd without needing to filter the brew.