Alternatives to Coffee: Yerba mate

Yerba mate is a plant that is native to South America where it is a popular beverage. The leaves contain caffeine and it’s prepared by steeping dry leaves in hot (rather than boiling) water. In some regions it is also drunk cold.


The flavour is definitely an acquired taste – very grassy and herbal, and similar to some varieties of green tea.

The Loving Fit website profiles the drink, suggesting it has many benefits:

Yerba Mate has properties similar to caffeine which provides incredibly clear energy levels and mental alertness.
The stimulant this energy comes from, is a unique form of xanthine ( a stimulant in coffee ).  It’s like coffee that’s stripped from all of the negative effects and only left with a positive. It’s stimulates central nervous system without being addictive or give you anxieties. Unlike caffeine, Yerba Mate induces better sleep.
This tea provided enough nutrients to act as a vegetable. Some people refer to it as a “drinking a salad.”

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