A Closer Look at Yerba Mate

With decades spent in Seattle, where coffee is the Holy Grail, I confess to being a daily coffee drinker, albeit, shade grown, organic, mold tested, and fair trade, if any of those claims are for real. Coffee can be healthy in small doses since it contains polyphenols which have an anti-inflammatory effect. It also can aid breathing by dilating the bronchioles, a trick I have often used since I am chemically sensitive. It is also hugely comforting as a daily eye opener. But too much of a good thing is still too much. Some say caffeine is tough on adrenal health, however, (Bearden & Bartholomy, 2008), and the metabolites show up in the waterways, (Savransky, 1998; Snyder, Pleus, & Snyder, 2005). So I set out on a quest to find something I could have as an alternate, later in the day or as a replacement a few days a week.

In looking for a suitable replacement, I tried Yerba Mate. I have heard good things about it and while I was aware that it, like green tea, contains some caffeine, I did not think it was much. I bought a fair-trade organic brand that has a beautiful yellow package with dreamy pictures of South American rain forest and South American Indians sharing a gourd full through a metal straw known as a Bombilla. The manufacturer claims that drinking their product creates jobs and restores rainforest in Paraguay, Argentina, and Brazil. The directions say to use a French Press and cover the mate with cold filtered water to protect the heat labile nutrients. To this, one is directed to add hot but not boiling water and steep for 3 to 6 minutes. As with other herbal infusions one is also advised to use filtered water as opposed to tap water and not to steep in a metal container, (Bearden & Bartholomy, 2008).

The result: I find it delicious chilled, but not as satisfying as a hot beverage. Unlike coffee, it is reportedly nutritious and has a light refreshing yet earthy taste that makes one feel connected to the planet.

Yerba Mate websites claim it to do everything from fight cancer to helping one lose weight all while stabilizing blood sugar, (Yerba Mate Exposed, 2008; Yerba Mate Health, 2009). Chock full of amino acids, polyphenols, and minerals; I definitely want some of this! In particular, I want to obtain the reported antioxidants and magnesium.

Is it true, can anything be so perfect? Ahh, the dreaded closer look and fall from the pedestal….

Yerba mate gets its feel-good kick from 3 xanthine compounds primarily caffeine; as much as a cuppa Joe at 78 mg/cup. It also contains theobromine as does chocolate and may or may not contain theophylline. It is true that it has a significant ORAC value of 5102 (Yerba Mate Antioxidants, 2009) and a number of minerals. However, as with all plants, it picks up what is in the soil so along with the magnesium and selenium, comes aluminum, nickel, and lead. Mate is a central nervous system stimulant. It also stimulates cardiac muscle (Yerba Mate Exposed, 2008; Yerba Mate, 2010).

Yerba Mate is a member of the holly family. It grows as a shrub of about 15 feet tall and thrives under the rain forest canopy. Some companies insist on growing it as it naturally does, that is, forest grown with other native plants, trees, and wildlife. However, other companies clear cut and plant monocultures of the shrubs. The mate craze as with the coconut oil, soy, and avocado crazes has resulted in loss of natural habitats due to monoculture mass growers. Since the shade grown crops protect vital forests by providing income in harmony with forest sustainability it appears best to be selective about the manufacturer. (All About Mate, 2010; Yerba Mate, 2010)

Mate has become so popular that it is now available in many cans, bottles, and even as energy shots. This is distressing since one may easily brew their own sans the shipping and packaging pollution. It is confusing that saving the forest in Argentina results in more recycled waste in America as if recycling is the answer. It isn’t, it still generates much pollution and wastes natural resources. Has my happy little organic mate company sold out its values? There must be a company that preserves sustainability both in the growing region and in the countries that purchase it and therefore only sells the dried leaves.

So, the verdict… I am coming down on the side of the mate in moderation. Yes, it is still very caffeinated. Yes, those metabolites will still be shed into the water supply. Yes, there will be some less desirable metals along with the vital minerals. And yes, as with any craze, those manufacturers who put profit first often harm the planet. Yet all in all, here is a drink that has something to offer besides sugar and stimulant chemicals. And while not something I would have every day; an occasional cuppa mate can’t be as bad as a daily coffee habit. It does not make me unable to focus as coffee does and does not give me a jittery hypoglycemic feeling that black tea does. I will give myself that once-in-a-while pampered feeling and brew a pot o’ Yerba Mate΄ to have as an iced pick-me-up at work.

The moral of this story is to investigate products and manufacturers rather than blindly accept the latest buzz. Often compromise (mate instead of coffee), moderation (once or twice a week instead of daily), and choosing a company that supports one’s own values can help keep products off the forbidden list and increase variety.

References

All about mate. (2010). Nutritional Profile. Guayaki.com. Retrieved August 29, 2010, from: http://guayaki.com/mate/2941/Nutritional-Profile.html

Bearden, S. and Bartholomy, P. (2008). How about a nice cuppa (herbal) tea?

Retrieved from: https://student.hawthornuniversity.org/Course_ReadingMaterialDetails.aspx?id=299

Savransky, N. (1998) Pharmaceuticals in the water: A look at an emerging and pressing issue. (Senior Essay, Brandeis University, 1998). Retrieved from: http://www.mass.gov/dep/toxics/stypes/pharmh2o.pdf

Snyder, E. M. Pleus, R. C. Snyder, S. A. (2005). Pharmaceuticals and EDCS in the US water industry- An update. Journal of the American Water Works Association. Retrieved from: http://faculty.washington.edu/korshin/Class-486/Snyder%201105currentJAWWA.pdf

Yerba Mate. (2010). Wikipedia. Retrieved September 23, 2010, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerba_mate

Yerba Mate Antioxidants. (2009). Yerba mate antioxidants ORAC value. Retrieved from: http://yerbamate.com/antioxidants/

Yerba Mate Exposed. (2008). Yerba Mate Cafe. Retrieved from: http://www.yerbamatecafe.com/

Yerba Mate Health. (2009) Yerba mate health benefits. Retrieved from: http://yerbamate.com/health-benefits/

Image: Low Lying Mate Leaves Against the Soil- Photo taken at United States Botanic Garden https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/