I’m not anti-coffee by any means, but people are always asking me if I know of any great alternatives. My answer? Guayaki Organic Yerba Mate. The brand makes a bunch of versions of their tea including bags, loose leaf, and ready-to-drink bottled options, which you can see here or at pretty much any Whole Foods. Yerba mate is a tea from South America made from a plant called yerba mate. The reason I compare it to coffee and say it’s a great alternative is that it has caffeine and can be enjoyed both hot and cold, but it’s also rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, polyphenols, and amino acids (basically caffeine kick of coffee with the benefits of tea). Better yet it has a long used by South Americans as a remedy for digestive issues and some research has shown that it can aid with weight loss as it will keep you feeling full longer. Lastly thanks to some of the potent polyphenols in the tea, yerba mate has been shown to help curb bad breath by slowing down the growth of the gastrointestinal bacteria…perfect for the AM!
There have also been links to cancer and depression prevention, but research is still sparse. All these potential health benefits aside, I’d recommend giving Guayaki a whirl because aside from giving a reliable boost…it tastes great and comes not only in a bunch of forms, but a bunch of flavors. Have you tried it? Let us know what you think!
