Chimarrão is a typical drink from southern South America, which has medicinal properties that can bring health benefits, such as reducing “bad” cholesterol, preventing diabetes, promoting weight loss and improving mood.
The benefits of chimarrão are due to the presence of polyphenols, caffeine, theobromine and flavonoids, which are bioactive compounds with thermogenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, stimulating and ergogenic action.
Chimarrão is made with the infusion of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), which has a slightly bitter taste and is sold in dehydrated and ground form in supermarkets and health food stores.
8 health benefits of chimarrão
The main health benefits of chimarrão are:
1. Lower “bad” cholesterol
Chimarrão is rich in saponins, xanthines and theobromine, which are bioactive antioxidant compounds that prevent the oxidation of fat cells, thus helping to reduce the levels of “bad” cholesterol, LDL, in the blood.
Thus, chimarrão can help prevent diseases caused by increased blood cholesterol, such as heart attack, atherosclerosis, stroke and heart failure, for example.
2. Promote weight loss
Chimarrão promotes weight loss by having good amounts of caffeine, a bioactive compound that has thermogenic properties, increasing energy expenditure and burning body fat. Check out other foods rich in caffeine.
4. Improve mood
Caffeine, a compound with ergogenic action present in good quantities in chimarrão, increases energy production, improving physical and mental disposition and reducing fatigue. See more foods that improve mood.
5. Avoid diabetes
By having a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, chimarrão maintains the health of the pancreas, balancing blood glucose levels and helping to avoid insulin resistance and diabetes.
6. Prevent premature aging
Chimarrão prevents premature aging by having good amounts of theobromine, chlorogenic acid, quercetin and kaempferol, which are bioactive compounds that protect healthy cells against damage caused by free radicals, preventing wrinkles and sagging skin.
7. Improve mood
Because it is rich in caffeine and theobromine, which are compounds that stimulate the release of serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood and well-being, mate helps improve mood and combat symptoms of depression and anxiety.
8. Prevent constipation
Chimarrão prevents constipation as it contains caffeine, a substance that stimulates intestinal contraction, helping to eliminate feces. Discover other foods recommended for constipation.
How to make chimarrão
Mate is made using dehydrated and ground yerba mate leaves, hot water, a gourd and a mate bomb.
Ingredients:
- ⅔ of a gourd of mate yerba mate;
- 1 liter of water.
Preparation mode:
Heat the water until it reaches between 45 and 50 ºC. Add the yerba mate to a little more than half the gourd. With one hand partially covering the mouth of the gourd, tilt it so that the herb is concentrated on one side. Smooth the herb onto the surface of the gourd with your hands.
Gently add a little hot water to the space not occupied by the yerba mate. Leave the gourd tilted for up to four minutes to firm the herb against the side of the gourd. Return the gourd to the standing position and fill the rest of the gourd with hot water. Cover the upper end of the mate bomb with your finger, fitting it on the side opposite to the herb, inside the gourd, and then drink.
Can pregnant women take chimarrão?
Pregnant women should only take chimarrão under the guidance of a doctor. This is because there are not yet enough studies that prove the safety of this drink during pregnancy.
Furthermore, ingesting high doses of caffeine, a compound present in chimarrão, can cause miscarriage, premature birth and low birth weight.
Possible side effects
Chimarrão is safe when used for up to 12 weeks straight. However, as it contains caffeine, consuming more than 10 cups (of tea) per day of chimarrão can cause side effects such as insomnia, headache, anxiety, stomach pain and diarrhea in some people.
Drinking large amounts of chimarrão can also increase the risk of serious caffeine-related side effects, such as seizures, dehydration, vomiting, increased heart rate and difficulty breathing.
Furthermore, drinking chimarrão at 60° C or higher can cause esophageal cancer. Therefore, it is recommended to turn off the heat when bubbles start to form at the bottom of the pan and wait five minutes before adding the water to the gourd and thermos.
Who cannot consume
Chimarrão is not recommended for children, as well as contraindicated for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Because it contains caffeine, chimarrão should be avoided by people with insomnia, anxiety, labyrinthitis, reflux, ulcers and gastritis.
People who use regular medications should consult a doctor before consuming chimarrão, as this drink can increase or decrease the effect of some medications.
Furthermore, people with diabetes, high blood pressure, arrhythmia or irritable bowel syndrome should only consume chimarrão under the guidance of a doctor, as this drink can worsen these conditions.
