Yerba mate – natural energy drink that changes the game
These days, when the pace of life is faster than ever, many of us are looking for effective ways to stimulate ourselves. Energy drinks seem to be a simple and quick solution. However, have you wondered if energy drinks are healthy? What if we told you that there is an all-natural energy drink that not only gives you energy, but is also good for your body? Such a drink is yerba mate – a miracle of nature that will revolutionize your approach to stimulation!
Summary:
- Energy drink – a quick way to stimulate, but is it really good for your body?
- We checked what's in energy drinks – and we're horrified!
- Side effects of energy drinks. What should you know?
- Yerba mate – healthy energy drink
- Looking for an effective boost? Choose wisely
Energy drink – a quick way to stimulate, but is it really good for your body?
Energy drinks for gamers, students, office workers... – we're all looking for something to help us get through a long day. With a growing awareness of healthy lifestyles, more and more people are considering the effects that various stimulants, including popular energy drinks, have on their bodies. While they may offer a quick boost of energy, their potentially negative health effects are increasingly being highlighted. The undeniable advantage of energy drinks is that they are widely available – you can easily buy them in virtually any grocery shop – but they are not always the healthiest choice. Most of them contain large amounts of sugar, artificial colourings and preservatives. Consuming them regularly in the long term can have a very negative impact on our health. It is therefore worth considering alternatives that provide energy without burdening the body with artificial substances.
We checked what's in energy drinks – and we're horrified!
We looked at the compositions of some of the most popular energy drinks and... well, it doesn't look too good. Although the beginning seems promising. The main ingredient in energy drinks is caffeine, which is responsible for the stimulating effect. In one can (250 ml), we find an average of 83 mg of it. This is often supplemented by guarana, an even higher dose of caffeine. Energetics also contain taurine, which lowers blood pressure and has a calming effect. And B vitamins – sounds healthy, right? But it's only a pretence!
We read the labels further and see: carbohydrates, preservatives, artificial colourings and, on top of that, a ton of sugar. For the average can of energiser, there are about 5 teaspoons of sugar – a really huge amount, considering that for many people it is not enough to drink one serving of a stimulating drink a day. Imagine drinking a minimum of 3 cups of tea every day, each time adding 5 teaspoons of sugar to it. Sounds scary, doesn't it? And you're getting exactly the same amount by drinking energy drinks! The “light” or “zero” versions are supposedly better, but the sugar in them is replaced with aspartame or acesulfame potassium. These are chemical compounds that can be harmful to your health. Exactly what are the side effects of drinking energy drinks?
Side effects of energy drinks. What should you know?
Energy drinks have been popular for years, especially among young people looking for a quick energy boost. However, more and more studies are pointing to potential side effects of their consumption, which can be worrying. Among the most commonly cited negative effects of drinking energy drinks are heart problems, high blood pressure, sleep disturbances and even an increased risk of diabetes due to the high sugar content of these drinks. Furthermore, regular consumption of energy drinks can lead to caffeine addiction, which in turn can result in headaches, irritability and fatigue when caffeine levels in the body drop. Many people are aware of the negative effects of regular energy drinks, so there is an increasing focus on natural alternatives that will provide energy without the risk of serious health consequences. So, what to choose instead of a sugary, artificial energiser? Check out our suggestion!
Yerba mate – healthy energy drink
In the context of chemically and sugar-laden energy drinks, yerba mate presents itself as a much more attractive alternative. It is a drink that has been prized in South America for its unique properties for centuries – a herbal “tea” that is made from the dried and ground leaves and twigs of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It is not only an all-natural energy drink, but also a source of many valuable substances that support health on many levels.
What in yerba mate tea gives you energy? We check!
Yerba mate is one of the best natural ways to boost energy, without artificial additives! It works like an energy drink, but without the sudden spikes in blood pressure and the sudden “energy slide”. What is it that gives you energy? It contains caffeine, theophylline and theobromine – substances that stimulate and dilate blood vessels. Yerba mate has a mild and gradual effect. One portion of the dried leaves can be poured several times and the stimulating effect lasts for a long time. What's more, the holly infusion aids concentration and memory, making it an ideal choice for students and gamers. But yerba mate is not just about caffeine. It is also a wealth of antioxidants, which help to fight free radicals and thus delay the ageing process. It also contains an abundance of vitamins (groups A, B, C and E) and minerals (zinc, silicon, magnesium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus). Regular drinking of yerba mate can support the immune system and help detoxify the body.
Looking for an effective boost? Choose wisely
Nowadays, with more and more people paying attention to a healthy lifestyle, yerba mate is becoming increasingly popular. It is a natural, healthy energiser that not only stimulates but also takes care of your health. Are energy drinks healthy? Definitely not, but now you know there is a healthier alternative. So, if you are looking for a way to stimulate yourself that is both effective and beneficial to your health, yerba mate is a choice worth considering! Don't be fooled by the temporary surge of energy that popular energy drinks offer. Choose wisely – choose yerba mate.
Source of information:
- Wikipedia: Energy drink, Mate, Caffeine.
- S. M. Seifert et al., Health Effects of Energy Drinks on Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults, Pediatrics, 2011.