Generality
Mate - also called Paraguayan tea - is the infusion prepared with the green or roasted leaves of an evergreen holly, which grows wild in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. This shrub is known in botany with the binomial nomenclature Ilex paraguariensis.
Photo: Detail of leaves of Ilex paraguariensis
In Spanish-speaking countries, the infusion is known by the name of yerba matè and represents the traditional colonial drink par excellence, much appreciated as a stimulating drink. Alternative names of the drink are "Tea of Paraguay" or "Tea of the Jesuits", in as for them we owe the spread of the plant in Europe.
It is estimated that worldwide, yerba mate consumers are more than 1 million, mainly concentrated in the states of South America.
The flavor of the infusion is astringent (tannic) and bitter; the scent is characteristic and aromatic.
Part used
For the production of mate, the ends of the twigs are cut and exposed to heat to inactivate the enzymes; in this way it is possible to preserve the green color of the leaves, which are then dried and chopped, then used to prepare infusions. The roasting, albeit light, is also important for the development of aromatic substances which give the infusion its organoleptic characteristics.
Photo: Dried mate leaves in wooden bowl, with relative infusion in traditional container with spout (bombilla).
Discover the recipe to prepare Matè at home
Active principles
Thanks to the abundant presence of this substance, the infusion is traditionally consumed as a tonic, cardiotonic and rebalancing; in South American folk medicine it is also used in the treatment of headaches, digestive problems, rheumatism and obesity.
Precisely the "fat-burning" effect attributable to the presence of caffeine is greatly amplified by the marketing campaigns, which portray the mate as the "ideal slimming", an excellent natural remedy for losing weight. In reality, the dose of caffeine is not then so important and its "slimming" effect would be supported by phenolic compounds and chlorogenic acid. In any case, the amount of studies in this regard is extremely limited.
Content in Caffeine
The caffeine content of the leaves of Ilex paraguariensis is around 1% (0.2-2%), even if only a small percentage is extracted during the preparation of the drink. In the "infusion the average caffeine content is about half of that present in a" similar quantity of coffee.
As with tea, caffeine in yerba mate is concentrated above all in the young leaves, not yet opened, and tends to decrease with storage.
The following table summarizes the average caffeine content of various medicinal plants, including maté.
Composition in Active Ingredients
Tracing the properties of mate to the mere presence of caffeine is at least an understatement.
The matè, in fact, contains;
- purine alkaloids: the main ones are caffeine (0.4-2.4%) and theobromine (0.3-0.5%);
- caffeic acid derivatives: including, among others, chlorogenic acid (mate is one of the main sources of this antioxidant), neochlorogenic acid and cryptochlorogenic acid;
- flavonoids: including, among others, rutin, isoquercetin and kampferolic glycosides;
- triterpene saponins;
- Volatile oil.
Furthermore, mate is also:
- a good source of vitamin C (however considerably reduced with drying and storage);
- rich in protein;
- rich in minerals such as potassium, zinc, manganese, magnesium, calcium and iron.
The dried drug, pulverized or not, is recommended for athletes and as an adjuvant in slimming diets. In the latter case, in addition to the lipolytic activity of caffeine, the diuretic activity of the product is also exploited, which can be useful to combat water retention (a "problem" particularly felt by those who want to lose weight).
Medicinal properties
The properties attributable to mate on the basis of its chemical profile include:
- tonics → helps fight fatigue, increasing physical energy and a sense of vigor
- stimulants → supports memory and improves attention, helps raise mood, improves contractility of the heart (positive inotropic and chronotropic effects)
- diuretic → stimulates diuresis, favoring the elimination of excess fluids in case of water retention
- lipolytic and hypocholesterolemic agents → caffeine stimulates the mobilization of fatty acids from adipose tissue and promotes their oxidation for energy purposes; some flavonoids and phenolic acids present in the mate inhibit the pancreatic lipase and lipoprotein lipase enzymes; the high content of chlorogenic acid could help reduce blood cholesterol levels, hinder adipogenesis and reduce post-prandial glycemic peaks;
- anorectics → reduces appetite
- antioxidants
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PLEASE NOTE: the amount of studies on mate is however extremely small and mostly limited to experimental (in vitro) and animal models, which is why the aforementioned properties remain suppositions awaiting practical demonstration.
In a recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the administration of 3g of mate per day (standardized to 3.5% chlorogenic acid), divided into 3 intakes, for 12 weeks, significantly reduced mass. fat and abdominal circumference of a group of 15 obese Korean subjects [Anti-obesity effects of Yerba Mate (Ilex Paraguariensis): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial - BMC Complement Altern Med. 2015 Sep 25; 15: 338]
Approved uses
The German Commission E approves the use of mate to combat lack of vigor and psycho-physical fatigue.
Unconfirmed uses
Note: the usefulness in the following circumstances has not been confirmed by experimental tests, conducted with scientific method, or has not passed them. The use of mate to treat the following disorders could, therefore, be ineffective or even harmful.
Folk medicine uses mate for internal use also to fight ulcers, rheumatism, anemia, neurasthenia, depression, as a diuretic in case of oliguria and as a prevention against fever and infections; externally the leaf pulp is used against ulcers and inflammations.
In homeopathy, Ilex paraguariensis is used to combat poor digestion.
How to use
Mate is available in the form of
- dried and chopped leaves, indicated as a herbal remedy for herbal teas or in filter bags:
- the recommended dose is 2-4g (divided into 3 infusions to be taken at different times of the day).
Preparation: pour a cup of boiling water over the preparation and leave to infuse for 5-10 minutes, then filter and drink.
Notes: A short infusion is less astringent, tastes better and still retains a good stimulating capacity (as caffeine is extracted faster than tannins).
- the recommended dose is 2-4g (divided into 3 infusions to be taken at different times of the day).
- dry extracts obtained from the leaves and titrated in caffeine or chlorogenic acid; they represent the best choice for prolonged treatments. Typically available in tablet or capsule form; it is recommended to take 3g divided into 2 or 3 intakes.
Contraindications
In the literature, there are no significant side effects; Unlike other caffeinated drugs, mate also appears to have no negative effects on insomnia.
Regular consumption of boiling mate infusions (as well as any other boiling beverage) is considered a risk factor for the development of oral, laryngeal, esophageal and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
The intake of yerba mate is contraindicated for those suffering from hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, gastric or duodenal ulcers and hyperthyroidism.
People on MAO inhibitors (drugs used to treat depression) should take mate with caution.
Questions and answers
How is the mate prepared?
The dried mate leaves are used to prepare an infusion. You have to pour the boiling water on the leaves and leave them to infuse for 5-10 minutes, filter and then enjoy the drink
What are the benefits of mate?
Mate stimulates memory and concentration, promotes diuresis, controls appetite, increases physical energy and has antioxidant properties
What is the mate?
Mate is an "infusion that is obtained using the green or toasted leaves of" Ilex paraguariensis, an evergreen holly common in South America.
Where does the mate come from?
Mate grows mainly in South American countries and in particular in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay
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