Both yerba mate and green tea come with significant health benefits. They contain different nutrients, though, and some people will be better off drinking one instead of the other. Below is a breakdown of the differences in nutrients and health benefits between yerba mate and green tea:

Antioxidants

Yerba mate and green tea both contain antioxidants. Antioxidants are compounds that help to prevent oxidative stress and cell damage in the body.

The dominant antioxidant in green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate (also known as EGCG). The dominant antioxidant in yerba mate, on the other hand, is chlorogenic acid. This is the same antioxidant found in green coffee beans.

EGCG is known to provide the following health benefits:

  • Slowed aging
  • Improved cognitive function
  • Improved heart health Faster weight loss via increased thermogenesis and fat oxidation
  • Inhibited tumor growth (specifically in the stomach, liver, colon, and lungs)

The chlorogenic acid found in yerba mate is associated with these other benefits:

  • Reduced blood pressure
  • Antibacterial properties
  • Reduced cholesterol Improved cognition and mental clarity
  • Reduction in cancer cells
  • Improved blood sugar balance

Yerba mate also appears to have a higher antioxidant concentration than green tea (as well as other tea-based and non-tea-based drinks). This, in turn, makes it superior when it comes to preventing oxidative stress and negative health effects.

Caffeine

When they start looking into yerba mate and comparing it to other beverages, a lot of people find themselves asking, "Does yerba mate have caffeine?" and "How much caffeine is in yerba mate?" Yerba mate definitely contains caffeine, but there's a significant difference between the amount you'll in it compared to what's in green tea.

Both yerba mate and green tea leaves are natural sources of caffeine, but yerba mate contains much more than green tea does. One cup of yerba mate contains about 70mg of caffeine. A cup of green tea, by comparison, only contains about 35mg.

For those who are looking to increase their energy and experience the stimulating effects of caffeine, you'll get more bang for your buck drinking yerba mate than you will by drinking green tea.

It's important to note, too, that even though yerba mate contains a lot more caffeine than green tea, it won't give you a major energy spike followed by a crash. Most people who drink yerba mate report experiencing smooth and sustained energy throughout the day. They don't often struggle with jitters, anxiety, or other symptoms that can accompany high caffeine consumption.

Nutrition

There are major differences between yerba mate and green tea when it comes to their nutrient breakdown as well. In addition to containing different antioxidants, they also boast different vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Yerba mate contains a whopping 196 active compounds. Green tea, on the other hand, contains only 144 (still a significant amount, but far less than what mate has to offer).

Yerba mate contains 24 essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, as well as 15 amino acids. It's also rich in other beneficial compounds, including flavonoids, trace minerals, polyphenols, fatty acids, and chlorophyll. In one cup of yerba mate, you'll find vitamins A, B1, B3, B5, C, and E. You'll also find minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, and selenium.

Many of the nutrients found in yerba mate are necessary to sustain life. This makes sense when you consider people relied on it a long time ago as their main nutrition source during droughts and famines.

Of course, we're not recommending that you drink only yerba mate to sustain yourself. It's good to know, though, that you can get so many important nutrients from one delicious beverage.

Weight Loss

Both yerba mate and green tea are touted as having weight loss benefits. This has to do, largely, with their caffeine content. Since both beverages contain caffeine, they have increased thermogenic properties and can help to boost your metabolism so that you lose weight faster.

Because yerba mate contains more caffeine than green tea, it offers more of those fat burning and metabolism-boosting benefits. The higher amounts of caffeine found in yerba mate also make it a more potent appetite-suppressant. This means it can help you avoid overeating and make it easier for you to stay in a calorie deficit (meaning you burn more calories than you're eating).

Start Drinking Yerba Mate Today

Now that you have a better understanding of the differences between yerba mate vs. green tea, are you interested in giving yerba mate a try? If you want to experience the unique health benefits that yerba mate has to offer, or if you just want to add a new beverage to your repertoire, we're here to help.

Head to our online store to check out all of our different yerba mate flavors. We also have a variety of accessories to help you prepare the perfect cup of yerba mate for yourself. Order yours today!