Have you heard the hype about Yerba Mate but not entirely sure what it is or how it works? A traditional South American drink that is becoming increasingly popular across the globe, Yerba Mate offers so many health benefits, both physical and mental. Whether you want to feel energised, enjoy enhanced mental clarity, or you want to improve physical performance, this powerful beverage has the ability to transform your overall wellbeing. Read on to find out more! What is Yerba Mate and why do so many gamers love it? Yerba Mate is a type of herbal tea that is made from the leaves and twigs of the llex paraguariensis plant. It is widely available both online and in health food stores. It has been called “the drink of the gods” and “the green gold of the Indios”. Yerba Mate has a distinct flavour and is rich in vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids, and polyphenols – all of which can help to improve your health. Yerba Mate is starting to gain popularity in the gaming community due to its ability to boost energy and improve mental focus without the unwanted side effects of other stimulants, like the crashes you get from high caffeine and sugar-rich commercially manufactured energy drinks. It offers a healthier and more sustained buzz without the downsides associated with artificial flavours and sugar rush, helping to both stimulate and regulate the body and mind. Where does it come from and how is it made? As mentioned earlier, Yerba Mate originates from South America and is the national drink of Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay. In fact, this popular herbal tea is consumed 6 to 1 over coffee in these countries, and even more often than water in some places! To make this herbal tea, the leaves of the llex paraguariensis plant are typically dried over a fire and then steeped in hot water. Some Yerba Mate is aged in cedar and other wood for one year or more to enhance the flavour. The highest quality Yerba Mate is grown in the shade underneath a rainforest canopy to avoid direct sunlight. This shelter helps the leaves of the plant to retain more nutrients and flavour. Traditionally, Yerba Mate is consumed from a container known as a gourd and is sipped through a metal straw that helps to filter the leaf fragments. What does it taste like? Is it good for me? And how much can I drink? Yerba Mate has a slightly bitter taste due to the high tannin content in the leaves of the llex paraguariensis plant. While this is not an unpleasant flavour, it can take some getting used to, especially for those who are used to drinking energy drinks that are loaded with sugar. The exact flavour of Yerba Mate can vary depending on where it is grown, the cultivation practices, and how it is brewed. Some types of Yerba Mate are made using the stems and branches of the tree, which can give a woodier flavour. There are so many benefits to drinking Yerba Mate, including: It is rich in vitamins and nutrients It contains antioxidants It can help to improve physical performance It can protect against infections It can strengthen the immune system It can help aid weight loss It can lower blood sugar levels It can relieve fatigue It can boost concentration and focus It can improve brain function It contains no fat or sugar and is very low in calories, carbohydrates, and sodium. In terms of daily consumption, you can safely consume as much as 1-2 litres of Yerba Mate per day. In fact, in Southern America, avid Yerba Mate drinkers consume up to 4 litres of this popular beverage every day! That being said, the amount of Yerba Mate you choose to consume each day will be dependent on your own tolerance levels and your individual preference. It is worth noting that some people should be more careful in their consumption of Yerba Mate – details of which we will go into below. Why is it better than coffee and energy drinks? If you rely heavily on stimulants such as coffee and energy drinks to wake you up in the morning and get you through the day, then you should know that these can cause unwanted side effects and have a negative impact on your health. Some of the most common side effects of traditional energy drinks include agitation, headaches, hyperactivity, dehydration, increased heart rate, and anxiety. Their high sugar content can also increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and obesity. If you mix your preferred energy drink with alcohol, then this is even more dangerous and can cause irreversible damage to certain cognitive functions. Yerba Mate, on the other hand, is a natural beverage that is able to boost your energy levels without having any negative effects on your body or mind. Although it does contain caffeine, in the same way that coffee and red bull does, this comes from natural ingredients rather than artificial processing. If you are new to Yerba Mate, you may want to try a Yerba Mate blend to get you started, as these tend to have a less bitter taste but still deliver all the associated benefits. Risks and side effects from drinking Yerba Mate If you are worried about any associated risks or side effects of drinking Yerba Mate, then you will be pleased to hear that there are very few. Most adults can safely drink Yerba Mate every day without experiencing any side effects or having any long-term negative effects on their health. However, it is worth noting that consuming Yerba Mate brewed at high temperatures, in high quantities over a long period has been linked to certain cancers, including stomach, kidney, lung, and mouth cancer. The overall risk to the average drinker is incredibly low, especially when compared to people who regularly consume alcohol or nicotine. Nonetheless, here at Go Mate we’ve opted for a cold and canned approach, eliminating the risk associated with boiling the brew. It also allows us to enhance the flavour with natural fruit juices, further boosting the drink’s health benefits. However - if you try Yerba Mate and start to experience any unwanted side effects, stop consuming it immediately and seek the advice of your doctor or GP. Are you ready to try Yerba Mate and start enjoying all the associated health benefits? If yes, then browse our range of Yerba Mate natural energy drinks enhanced with Nootropics that promise to help you either stay alert and focused as long as you need to be, or relaxed to unwind and recharge for the next challenge!