What is the maté and what are its benefits?
First of all, you should know that the leaves of maté are different from those of tea. These two drinks do not have the same origin or the same caffeine content. Furthermore, the maté is prepared in a very particular way, in a gourd using a special whisk. It is drunk with a bombilla, a straw specially designed for this drink. You will have understood the consumption of maté is quite an art!
Yerba maté, a traditional energy drink
Before dipping your lips in the calabash and this subtle mixture, let us tell you about maté. It comes from a South American tree in the holly family, called Ilex paraguariensis or yerba. maté.
To prepare it, the leaves are dried, then chopped before being infused in hot water. In Native American countries, this traditional drink is consumed in large quantities in South America.
Used as a stimulant, maté contains more caffeine than tea, but less than coffee. Antioxidant and full of vitamins (A, C, E, etc.), this drink will make you feel good in the morning but also throughout the day! White, green or flavored, the maté would also be a tone and slimming ally. It would help to better eliminate sugars and fats while providing energy. However, be careful with these health claims which may for the most part be exaggerated. The leaves of maté will not make you lose weight strictly speaking.
What are the benefits of yerba maté on health?
The maté fragrant with South American flavors is a plant that would bring numerous benefits to the body :
- It would help fight fatigue by providing energy
- It stimulates metabolism
- It would help fight against the development of certain diseases and premature aging of cells thanks to its antioxidants.
- It would have a draining and detox effect (especially when combined with green tea)
Maté and iron deficiency: can it be the cause? What are its effects?
Like any stimulating drink like tea or coffee, maté could have undesirable effects, especially linked to the caffeine that is released into the drink during infusion. But what about its action on theiron absorption ? The maté does it really have effects on the iron contained in the body?
What's in a cup of maté ?
A calabash of maté contains 70 mg of caffeine. Note that the maximum daily dose of caffeine recommended by the Santé Publique France organization is between 200 and 400 mg.
The consumption of maté Does it limit iron absorption?
It can be in certain cases. The tannins released in the water maté would limit thenon-heme iron absorption. This trace element present in our body has a vital role for our cells.
Anemia, breastfeeding and pregnancy?
Information regarding the maté should be taken with caution. Everyone has a different tolerance to caffeine and side effects can exist, although they are rare. No one can replace your doctor. If you suffer from anemia or have doubts, seek advice from a medical advisor.
To avoid any inconvenience, Kusmi advises you to enjoy your maté outside of meals (2 hours or after) and to moderate your consumption in terms of quantity.
How to properly prepare maté ?
You will need a calabash, a bombilla and leaves of maté.
1-Boil water using a kettle. Be careful, the temperature must not exceed 80°C otherwise you risk damaging the leaves by pouring water into the calabash.
2-For 1 liter of simmering water, it is recommended to add 5 g of yerba maté in the calabash. The infusion time is generally a few minutes (maximum 10 minutes depending on the taste and flavor you want to give to your drink). The maté can be brewed several times.
3-Then enjoy this hot and invigorating nectar using your bombilla.
Kusmi Tea, a maté organic & made in France
Kusmi offers you quality products made in Normandy with natural ingredients from agriculture organic. Our blends of maté organic are carefully selected. Let yourself be surprised by a maté detox scented with grapefruit or ginger!
Yerba maté is therefore a very good alternative to coffee or tea. Hot drink from South America, it is known for its effect boost. Its tannins could limit iron absorption especially when consumed during meals or in too large quantities. Each person has a different tolerance to caffeine, we recommend that you consult your doctor if you have any doubts or questions.