Yerba Mate vs. Coffee – A Complete Breakdown

In today’s fast-paced world, coffee continues to be a staple beverage for those looking for a quick energy boost. Whether you use your coffee maker religiously or pay frequent visits to your favorite local coffee shop, it is highly likely that you, like many other individuals with hectic schedules, have enjoyed the stimulant properties of this drink for quite some time. With so many flavors and methods of preparation to choose from, it is no surprise that coffee has managed to maintain its impressive popularity, so much that users are mostly able to overlook any negative side effects.

If you’ve ever suffered from acid reflux or jitters, you may be wondering if there is an alternative… something that will help you get through the day while still feeling your best. If this is the case, perhaps it’s time to try yerba mate. Packed full of nutrients and antioxidants, yerba mate offers a pleasant pick-me-up that is equal parts healthy and energizing.

Now, let’s explore some of the key similarities and differences between these two beverages:

Coffee

Coffee is one of the most versatile, commonly enjoyed caffeinated beverages available. In fact, according to a study conducted by the National Coffee Association, 83% of adults in the United States reported regular coffee consumption. Like anything else you choose to put in your body, coffee has certain effects that are important to be aware of.

Pros of Drinking Coffee

Because of its caffeine content, coffee has a stimulant effect that helps you stay alert. Studies have also found that regularly drinking coffee helps reduce cognitive decline and even protects against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Coffee also contains antioxidants that protect against free radicals and reduce the risk of cancer.

Contained in this beverage are chlorogenic and caffeic acids that may prevent bad cholesterol from narrowing your arteries. As a dietary aid, coffee has been proven to work as a gentle laxative, aiding your body in the process of elimination.

Cons of Drinking Coffee

In order to maintain the feeling of wakefulness that coffee provides, its consumption must be spread out throughout the day to avoid the dreaded caffeine crash. It should also be emphasized that moderation is key for a few different reasons. Coffee is known to promote cortisol, the stress hormone. When coffee is consumed in excess, it can cause dehydration, jitters, shakiness, and crashing as well as rapid or irregular heartbeat, and even sleep interference.

When you stop drinking coffee abruptly, there can be an overwhelming feeling of fatigue without your daily dose of caffeine. Because coffee is highly acidic, it may cause or worsen ulcers, acid reflux, and other digestive disorders. It is generally healthier to drink your coffee without added flavoring, sugar, etc. because flavored coffee beverages tend to be high in calories.

Yerba Mate

Yerba mate has been used by South American tribes for centuries for its unique ability to stimulate the mind while supporting overall health and well-being. It is also commonly used among athletes in Argentina, Uruguay, and southern parts of Brazil due to the fact that it enhances physical endurance while offering a plethora of nutritional benefits. Recently, the yerba mate movement has gained momentum in the United States, where it is becoming a celebrated alternative to popular caffeinated beverages such as soda, energy drinks, and coffee.

Pros of Yerba Mate

Yerba mate stimulates the mind and body by enhancing cognitive function and boosting mental clarity while simultaneously helping the body convert food into energy more efficiently. Best of all, this energizing effect is accompanied by a mood-boost and lower levels of stress because yerba mate stimulates the production of the neurotransmitter dopamine. The stimulant effect of yerba mate works differently than coffee as it provides a clean, smooth energy that does not interfere with sleep and is not accompanied by jitters and crashes.

Furthermore, yerba mate is an effective tool for weight loss and maintaining health. It is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. It also suppresses the appetite to reduce food cravings and promotes regular elimination. Regularly consuming yerba mate can protect the health of your heart, improve the appearance of your hair and skin, and even help you exercise for extended periods of time without experiencing muscle fatigue and soreness.

Cons of Yerba Mate

Like coffee, yerba mate should be enjoyed with reasonable moderation in mind. As, it also contains a significant amount of caffeine, too much yerba mate can cause rapid heartbeat and should not be consumed by those with hypersensitivity to caffeine. Studies have also concluded that consuming excessively hot liquid frequently and in large amounts has been linked to the possibility of esophageal and throat cancer, especially when combined with smoking.

Because drinking yerba mate is a relatively new practice in the United States, we are still learning more about its effects and side-effects every day, and there is still progress being made toward the regulation of how this beverage is produced. For example, yerba mate leaves were traditionally smoked over an open fire, leading them to contain large quantities of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), including benzopyrene, a known carcinogen.

Since this discovery, however, new methods of air-drying have been implemented, and companies that manufacture and sell yerba mate have been encouraged to run lab tests on their product to test for PAH compounds.

Coffee Vs Yerba, It’s your choice!

Yerba mate and coffee are both found to be safe for healthy adults to consume with an emphasis on moderation as a key factor. So which should you choose? Don’t worry coffee lovers, we’re not saying you should abstain from your white chocolate peppermint mocha.

Because yerba mate offers so many varied benefits, you may opt to trade in your morning cup of coffee, however, the ultimate answer lies in your own personal preferences. If you choose to give yerba mate a try, you may be surprised by how much you enjoy its effects. We recommend comparing these beverages side by side and selecting the one that works best for your own body and lifestyle.