Caffeine in yerba mate and coffee – why is it better to choose mate tea?

Yerba mate is valued for its original taste, but also for its strong stimulating properties, which make it comparable to coffee. However, unlike it, even slightly larger amounts do not harm the body and may even be beneficial. How much caffeine does yerba mate contain? Can it replace coffee? We dispel the doubts!

Caffeine – what is it and where it can be found?

Caffeine is most often associated with coffee because its first thoroughly researched source was the coffee beans. This substance is also found in tea leaves, guarana fruit and cocoa beans. Its natural source is also yerba mate. Caffeine stimulates the activity of the central nervous system, reduces the symptoms of fatigue, improves concentration, boosts energy and accelerates the metabolism. By stimulating the release of dopamine, it positively affects mood and relieves pain, therefore it can be found in some painkillers.

Can yerba mate tea replace coffee?

The caffeine content makes coffee and yerba mate often compared with each other. Is it right? In a way, yes. Both drinks have a stimulating effect, support concentration and reduce the drowsiness. On the other hand, they work completely different. The energizing effect after the coffee is almost immediate, but the level of caffeine drops quite quickly (depending on the dose taken as well as individual conditions), causing a sudden decrease in energy and a feeling of weakness. Yerba mate, on the other hand, takes a little longer than coffee to stimulate the organism, but the effect lasts longer, and after it wears off, there is no sudden drop in energy.

Yerba mate or coffee – which is healthier?

Let’s have a look at the advantages of drinking mate tea and coffee different from the energizing effect. Both drinks have 0 kcal, as long as you drink them without sugar or milk. Coffee is a rich source of potassium, but frequent consumption may cause minerals leaching from the organism. Coffee is said to have a positive effect on brain function and inhibit the development of processes responsible for dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Yerba mate, in turn, is an excellent source of B vitamins, magnesium, iron, and polyphenols that support the immune system. It turns out that yerba mate can be a healthy and tasty alternative to coffee. Have you already tried mate tea?