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Mate is an excellent natural antioxidant thanks to its polyphenol content. It is known to have an antioxidant power 90% higher than green tea.
Antioxidants are compounds (nutrients, vitamins, trace elements, etc.) that protect cells from the effects of free radicals, which, in excess, cause cell aging and the development of certain diseases.
Sports activity is not without its effects on the human body. Exercise produces a large quantity of free radicals, which, in excessive quantities, can damage our cells.
This can cause:
While the body also produces antioxidants to protect itself from free radicals, a good intake of antioxidants through food is necessary (especially for athletes!).
| Natural antioxidant | Antioxidant food |
| Vitamin C |
Lemon, orange, kiwi, strawberries... |
| Vitamin E |
Oils (sunflower, soybean, corn, etc.), butter, margarine, eggs, etc. |
| Vitamin A |
Butter, eggs... |
| Selenium |
Meat, fish, eggs... |
| Zinc |
Green vegetables, meat, bread (wholemeal), seafood... |
| Polyphenols | Fruits, vegetables, wine, tea and mate . |
The main source of antioxidants is found in fruits and vegetables... Hence the now famous advice " Eat 5 fruits and vegetables a day ", implemented by the Ministry of Health in 2001!
There are also many antioxidant-rich supplements, but that's another topic.
In addition to containing vitamins A, C and E, which are powerful antioxidants, mate is a food very rich in polyphenols.
Polyphenols are a family of antioxidant molecules present in most fruits and vegetables, and notably in green tea and mate .
| List of polyphenols present in mate |
| Caffeic acid |
| Caffeoylshikimic acid |
| Chlorogenic acid |
| Feruloylquinic acid |
| Quinic acid |
| Caffeine |
| Caffeine derivatives |
| Kaempferol |
| Quercetin |
| Rutin |
| Theobromine |
Besides polyphenols, mate contains other antioxidant molecules: tannins and ursolic acid .
Mate is a drink that has been consumed in South America for centuries. Originally discovered by the Guarani people, this infusion is the national drink of Argentina , Uruguay , Paraguay and Brazil .
Green tea , very popular in Japan and China, is a tea whose oxidation has been stopped quickly after harvest. This is what gives it its green color and helps preserve its many antioxidant benefits.
Rooibos is a South African plant that is consumed as an infusion. Nicknamed "red tea," rooibos has the distinction of being a theine/caffeine-free tea.
Guayusa is a plant that has recently gained popularity in Europe. Guayusa leaves, a member of the same family as mate, grow in the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest.
Highly energizing, guayusa infusion is a true natural antioxidant that you will most certainly hear about in the years to come.
One of the most consumed beverages in the world, coffee is an excellent natural antioxidant. It's actually one of our main sources of antioxidants.
A study has shown that coffee represents 65% of the daily antioxidant intake in the French population.
Matcha is a ground green tea, very popular in Japan. This very green tea is prepared in a bowl using a bamboo whisk.
What is the best natural antioxidant?
The antioxidant effect of a food is measured using a specific unit: the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) index.
ORAC scores for thousands of foods are freely available online, but here are some foods rich in antioxidants:
| Food | ORAC Index |
| Mate | 1700 |
| Orange juice | 1400 |
| Rooibos tea | 1100 |
| Black tea | 300 |
This controversial index does not precisely indicate the "quantity of antioxidants" to consume daily, but nevertheless gives an idea of the antioxidant power of our food.
"It has been found that consumption of mate tea contributes significantly to the overall intake of antioxidants and provides high amounts of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, with potentially beneficial biological effects for human health."
Study source: Pub Med
“Yerba mate extracts contain powerful antioxidants such as chlorogen (CL) and its derivatives, caffeine, quercetin, rutin, and kaempferol, which can improve the nutritional quality and rancidity of food products.”
Study source: Research Gate
"Regular consumption of mate provides considerable amounts of antioxidants that are relatively stable after simulated digestion, and therefore have the potential to prevent disorders related to oxidative stress."
Study source: Pub Med
"These results suggest that regular consumption of mate tea may increase the body's antioxidant defense through multiple mechanisms."
Study source: Pub Med
