Yerba mate versus café

Amigofoods.com is your number one online shopping source for buying yerba mate products like traditional yerba mate, mate cocido, flavored yerba mate, yerba mate gourds, and yerba mate bombillas. Because of this we’ve added this yerba mate informational section to help answer all our new and repeat yerba mate customers questions.

How does Yerba Mate Caffeine Stack Up Against Coffees Caffeine?

Yerba mate and coffee are both known for being energy-boosting drinks with a number of health benefits. Because of these similarities, there have been many comparisons made between the two. Below is a summary of the findings in Yerba mate versus coffee discussions:

1. Does Yerba mate have caffeine?

Yerba mate contains less caffeine than coffee. In average, one cup of Yerba mate contains 70mg of caffeine. Coffees average caffeine content is at 120mg. Yerba mate caffeine seems to work differently. While too much caffeine stimulation from coffee often makes people jittery, the caffeine in yerba mate seems to have a stimulating yet calming effect.

SIMPLE YERBA MATE AND COFFEE COMPARISON FORMULA:

YERBA MATE : COFFEE = MATEINE : CAFFEINE

Yerba mate caffeine is also called MATEINE = CAFFEINE – NEGATIVE SIDE EFFECTS

2. Coffee has been shown to stimulate both brain and muscle function, but its nutrient content does not surpass that of yerba mate.

3. Coffee’s acidity can irritate the digestive system, cause a rise in the symptoms of digestive disorders, and cause acid reflux and heartburn. Yerba mate has never been shown to have this unfortunate effect.

Yerba mate’s healing effects seem to make it the front runner.

Caffeine content in popular energizing beverages.

Yerba Mate Caffeine vs Coffee Caffeine

Yerba mate and coffee both contain approximately 75–80 mg of caffeine per cup. However, the caffeine in mate seems to work differently. While several cups of coffee easily cause jitters and crashing effects, mate has the unique dual action of stimulating and soothing, even after several servings.

This may be due to mate’s adaptogenic properties, helping to regulate all body systems. Relaxing compounds such as theophylline and theobromine may also be responsible.

Results of Yerba Mate versus Coffee

Coffee and yerba mate both contain antioxidants and beneficial compounds. Neither drink is perfect and both have flaws. However, we must intelligently consider the overall safety of each, given that most people regularly consume substantial amounts of their preferred stimulating beverage.

Mate’s restorative ability on the mind and body are not easily matched by any caffeine containing drink. Coffee’s ability to stimulate brain and muscle function is noteworthy, but its acidic nature and well established anecdotal evidence of causing “crashing” and “jitters” has become clear beyond conjecture.

We hope this presentation has helped you better understand the differences between coffee and yerba mate. If you’re also interested in comparing yerba mate to green tea, here’s a link to our research.

See how yerba mate compares to these herbs:

yerba mate vs green tea >>

yerba mate vs rooibos >>

Sources

Yerba Mate

• Elvira de Mejia, “Yerba Mate (ilex paraguariensis): A Comprehensive Review on Chemistry, Health Implications, and Technological Considerations.”
• Andreas S. Conforti, “Yerba Mate (ilex paraguariensis) Consumption is Associated with Higher Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women.”

Coffee

• Charles W. Trigg, “Pharmacology of the Coffee Drink.”
  
  (http://www.web-books.com/Classics/ON/B0/B701/23MB701.html)
• Melodie Anne Coffman, “Effects of Coffee on Digestion.”
  
  (http://www.livestrong.com/article/487850-effects-of-coffee-on-digestion/)
• Neil Osterweil, “Coffee and Your Health.”
  
  (http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/coffee-new-health-food)
• Niels P. Riksen, Editorial to “Caffeinated Coffee Blunts the Myocardial Protective Effects of Statins Against Ischemia–reperfusion Injury in the Rat.”(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2493530/)
• Jose Ángel, “In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Coffee Compounds and Their Metabolites.”

Disclaimer

Coffee pharmacology is significantly more established than yerba mate pharmacology, as mate is a relatively unknown herb in the United States, Europe, and countries familiar with traditional tea and coffee. We’ve tried to present the most recent information available on each plant.

The content in this presentation has not been approved by the FDA and is not meant to replace medical advice from your primary care physician. It is offered as information only, for the use and promotion of good health in cooperation with your licensed doctor.

What is Coffee?

Coffee, discovered around the sixth century by Abyssinian/Ethiopian shepherds, is perhaps the most ubiquitous stimulating drink throughout the Americans and Europe.

With its ability to temporarily increase brain and muscle function, it has become wildly popular as the “go to” drink, fueling the global corporate system.

Coffee Benefits

• Temporarily enhances brain and muscle function.
• Chlorogenic and caffeic acid may prevent bad cholesterol (LDL) from narrowing arteries (atherosclerosis) — acting as strong antioxidants.
• May decrease chances of developing type II diabetes and regulate glucose levels.
• May aid digestion / laxative properties.

Coffee Negatives

• Highly acidic: may cause or irritate ulcers, IBS, gastritis, Crohn’s disease, acid reflux, heartburn, etc. (study the effects of acidic foods for more info.)
• Some heavy drinkers experience “jitters,” “crashing,” and “burnt-out” effects of daily consumption.
• May interfere with the absorption of minerals: calcium, zinc, magnesium etc.
• Promotes cortisol, the stress hormone, which compromises the immune system.

Yerba Mate Side Effects – Two Important Things To Be Aware Of When Drinking It

There are some things that people need to be aware of before consuming yerba mate drinks:

1. The caffeine in yerba mate has been shown to have a different effect on the body than the caffeine contained in coffee, but those who have a hypersensitivity to caffeine should still avoid consuming yerba mate.

2. There is still very little scientific research on the long-term benefits of drinking yerba mate. It is important that each individual continues to monitor their health and discuss any concerns with their chosen health professional.

But, the vast majority of Yerba mate consumers are enthusiastic about it. In many cities, some communities appreciate Yerba mate and are raising awareness of this exceptional drink. Once you try it and you start to feel its benefits you never go back to coffee or other energy drinks. Yerba mate will increase your well-being. We hope this article on Yerba mate vs. coffee will convince you to try mate tea. You will not regret it.