Yerba mate tea or coffee. Which one stimulates better?

Mateine vs. caffeine. Is there a difference between them?

At the beginning it would be necessary to correct the common mistake that keeps appearing in some media. The distinction between caffeine, mateine, theine and guaranine refers only to the source of stimulation. In each and every case we're dealing with a purine alkaloid of formula C6H10N4O2. Does it automatically mean that the effect of coffee or mate tea consumption will be the same? Of course not!

Yerba mate vs. coffee. Different ways of stimulation

The first and basic distinction is the concentration of the chemical compound. On average, a cup espresso will contain about 1700-2250 mg of caffeine per liter. Coffee prepared in the espresso machine will have about 550-850 mg, brewed - 380-650 mg. How about a similar amount of mate tea? The alkaloid content is 360 mg. However, we should remember that all values ​​given are indicative. A lot depends on the amount of extract in a given drink.

The numbers and statistical data alone, of course, do not give us a full insight into the case. The caffeine in each of these drink is sourced is a different plant. Does it mean that, in theory, yerba mate is less stimulating? Not exactly. First of all, illex paraguariensis (yerba mate) infusions provides with more valuable nutrients than coffee. According to scientists, 100 ml of mate tea contains six vitamins, potassium, phosphorus, lutein, niacin and a number of micro and macro elements. Do you know the feeling of legs bending and the certain sensation of “weakness” after drinking a cup of strong coffee? An energetic kick followed by a quick decline a moment later. That’s because coffee flushes out magnesium from our body. Meanwhile, thanks to the chemical composition of mate tea, the stimulation effect is more stable. Theophylline and theobromine, which it contains, are natural stimulants. One can, therefore, refill it with water multiple times without worrying about health. It certainly won't result in swing between the feeling of agitation and weakness. Instead, it will provide a balanced dose of energy essential in everyday functioning!

Obviously we don’t want to force anyone to our views. Let everyone drink what suits them best. However, we are consistently staying with yerba mate. Only Paraguayan holly leaves energize while providing so many valuable ingredients!