Yerba mate is taking the world of coffee drinkers by storm, so much so that many reviews have been made that pit yerba mate caffeine vs coffee. And, rightly so, because the two are very different from each other if the said factor is to be considered.
Primary distinctions
Primary Distinctions between Yerba Mate and Coffee
One ultimate factor that attracts coffee drinkers to yerba mate is its health benefits. We all know that coffee’s caffeine content can have adverse effects on your health if taken in large quantities; this especially applies to people who are caffeine-sensitive. Yerba mate proves to be a good alternative because it has comparatively less caffeine content. A standard cup only contains 80 milligrams of caffeine as opposed to the high caffeine content present in most types of coffee, which can range from 100-200 milligrams.
Yerba Mate’s Health Benefits
Yerba mate has been shown to have similar health benefits found in green tea, and some studies even argue that it’s healthier than the former. It has such wonderful benefits such as the ability to lower blood pressure, promote the GI tract, antioxidant properties, promotes weight loss, and is a good source of energy, to name a few. While some studies have proven that coffee has health benefits as well (such as aiding digestion and enhancing brain function), the advantages of yerba mate simply outweigh them.
Caffeine Effect Comparison
What’s evidently making yerba mate the better choice when it comes to the effect of its caffeine content is that tests conducted on the subject show that drinking yerba mate doesn’t produce the jittery, nervous effect that drinking coffee usually brings about. Its effect is unique, to say the least, as it is characterized by alternating boosting and calming effects that effectively removes the common caffeine downside that coffee is known for. The soothing effect is said to be due to the theobromine and theophylline content of yerba mate. They are compounds that produce relaxing effects.
Still a Matter of Preference
This is why in the fight that involves yerba mate caffeine vs coffee, it’s pretty apparent that the former is arguably the winner. Of course, this comparison only ever involves the health advantages of the two and not the taste. The fact that many coffee drinkers are very picky when it comes to the beverage that they’re drinking, it’s safe to conclude that whichever one they choose should be based not only on the said advantages but both yerba mate and coffee’s characteristics as a whole.