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Bottled Energy Boosts - CBS News Video
"South American Tea is High in Antioxidants"
By Laura Johannes Yerba mate tastes bitter, so is it any surprise it's supposed to be good for you? Companies that sell the strong-flavored South American tea say it's full of nutrients that fight disease, provide energy and aid weight loss. Research does show Yerba mate has positive effects on cells in test tubes and animals, but scientists say human studies are needed. The leaves of a holly shrub called ilex paraguariensis are dried to make Yerba mate (pronounced mah-tay). In South America, it is drunk in gourds with straws, often shared by a group of friends. In the U.S., it's sold in tea bags, leaf tea and cold energy drinks. Yerba mate is increasingly popular, despite its harsh, grassy taste, because of health claims ranging from cancer-fighting activity to prevention of atherosclerosis. It's purported to have more antioxidants than green tea. Contrary to some marketing claims, scientists say the tea does contain caffeine, though less than coffee. University of Illinois scientist Elvira de Mejia, who receives no funding from Yerba mate growers or marketers, says studies by her lab and others have found the tea contains more antioxidants than green tea. But the difference is small, and depends on the brand and how you brew it, she adds. Yerba mate contains little or no catechines, the green-tea ingredient linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer. Yerba mate is far less studied than green tea, but a flurry of scientific research has been published in recent years. In test tubes, it inhibits growth of some kinds of cancer cells, but so far there no proof of cancer-retarding properties in humans. Several small studies have found it aids weight loss, but scientists say more research is needed. Preliminary work suggests the South American brew may fight atherosclerosis. Scientists at Touro University in California found Yerba mate has more antioxidant power against the cellular reactions that lead to arterial blockages than either red wine or green tea. And, in a study published last year, Brazilian scientists found the tea slowed the progression of arterial plaques in rabbits fed a high-cholesterol diet for two months. Nutritionists counsel against Yerba mate for pregnant women and diabetics, because of the caffeine, which could harm a fetus and raise blood sugar. Individuals at risk for esophageal cancer, such as smokers and heavy drinkers, might also want to sip cautiously. A published study found a higher incidence of esophageal cancer in Uruguay residents who drank more than four cups of Yerba mate daily compared with those who drunk none. Yerba mate is generally brewed in a less intense form in the U.S. than in South America. Still, if you don't like the bitter taste, you can soften it with sweeteners or orange peel. Don't add milk, scientists say, because it inhibits absorption of the tea's antioxidants. Email aches@wsj.com See the Health Benefits of Yerba Mate on CBS Channel 2
Health Watch - CBS Channel 2 (WCBS-TV New York) Click here to see the health benefits of yerba mate. Bombilla Gourd™ Mate Tea uses EcoTeas Organic Yerba Mate to make their bottled yerba mate beverages. EcoTeas is Proud to Sponsor Joseph Israel
EcoTeas is Proud to Sponsor HoopGirl.com
EcoTeas Reforestation Project Plants Sustainable Agriculture in Endangered Argentina EcosystemASHLAND, OR – Jutting up like a big green thumb wedged between Paraguay and Brazil, the Misiones Province in northern Argentina is known as the Corredor Verde, or Green Corridor. One of the largest surviving remnants of the once vast Interior Atlantic Forest ecosystem, it is home to the jaguar, the coati, the toucan, migrant North American nighthawks … and EcoTeas Yerba Mate. The national drink of Argentina, yerba mate herbal tea is becoming popular in the U.S. for its high antioxidant load and balanced stimulation. Because the Green Corridor also fuels 70 percent of Argentina’s timber industry, forest clearing has caused devastating impacts in the region. EcoTeas is working with their family farm partners to heal the land by planting thousands of native trees among and around their yerba mate groves. According to EcoTeas founder Stefan Schachter, the goal is to create shade-grown yerba mate, restore biodiversity and watershed quality, and increase economic productivity as an incentive for sustainable organic farm communities throughout the yerba mate growing region. “Our farmers are very excited to be planting the trees,” says Schachter. “Our experiences will be extremely important as other farmers throughout the region seek to enact similar shifts on their land when they realize that such a huge market exists for sustainably-grown yerba mate in North America.” EcoTeas is splitting the cost of the project with its farmer partners. One of its large bulk herb customers is also committing support. And EcoTeas is assisting farmers with the legwork of communicating with Argentine and U.S. nonprofits and universities that have the necessary technical expertise. Besides planting trees, EcoTeas is helping its farmers to reacquire land that once belonged to them. The land — more than 200 acres — was planted in yerba mate many decades ago, and now the yerba has "gone wild" with native trees growing up all around it. “Our farmer has long dreamt of getting this land back,” Schachter explains. “Now we have the opportunity to not only cultivate shade-grown yerba mate, and to enrich our farmers as a reward for their sustainable farming model, but also to study the way succession occurs in this endangered forest type.” Often the environmental debate is framed as a tension between conservation and preservation. Conservation is epitomized by a "wise-use" approach, whereas preservation is a "leave-it-alone" approach. EcoTeas supports a third way: restoration. “Our project is exploring how these forests can be restored in a way that works for farmers,” Schachter says. “We are creating win-win situations where the people and the forest can both thrive.” Toys
Dorm days "It's 3 a.m., you have a midterm tomorrow morning, and you haven't started studying yet. What are you going to do? Pour yourself a cup of EcoTea's Yerba Maté $($5.19), of course. This tea-like beverage, which originated in South America, is quickly becoming popular in the States. The earthy-tasting drink packs the punch of coffee but won't make you jittery the way caffeine does.
The Advocate High Sierra 3-Step Offers a Unique View of Historic Sierra Trail"This year's High Sierra Three Step* went great! Folks loved your yerba maté, especially iced!!"
Hikers take a step back in time Terri Potter felt like she took a step back in time last weekend. As she hiked along the Western States Trail, she might as well have been among the scores of gold-crazed miners that flocked to the Sierra Foothills a century and a half ago. Potter was one of more than three dozen participants in last weekend's High Sierra 3-Step, a 75-mile trip through the Sierra from Soda Springs to within a few miles of Auburn. "To be out there and think about the history and how people traveled along the trail in the past, out there in the wilderness, the beauty is amazing," said Potter, a hair stylist from Cool who completed 53 miles of the trek with her husband, James. "That was probably the best part of it for me." Scott and Judy Scribner began the High Sierra 3-Step in 1981 as a way for ultrarunners to get a good look at the Western States Trail. After a 12-year hiatus, Kari Borka, the Scribners' daughter, revived the event last year with the help of Auburn ultrarunner Glenn Carnahan and opened it up to hikers. "The camp started as a way for ultrarunners to see the trail over three days and really see what they're up against," said Alexandra Carnahan, Glenn's wife. "I really pushed for it to be open to hikers. I do a lot of hiking and there's a huge market out there for women who do want to do adventures like this." Potter was one of those women. The route connects with the WS Trail at Lyon Ridge and continues to Robinson Flat, covering 22 miles on the first day. On the second day, the group travels to Michigan Bluff and the third step takes the part to White Oak Flat. It's not exactly a leisurely weekend stroll, but Potter said the strenuous hike was worth it. "I like to have at least one big, physical challenge each year and unless you're doing Western States or Tevis, a lot of people don't have the opportunity to see that trail," Potter said. "We didn't do the whole 25 miles every day, but it's not something most people do in a weekend." The 3-Step participants were inspired by talks from two-time Badwater Ultramarathon finisher Nancy Warren and Auburn's Rae Clark, who has logged more than 10,000 miles in his running career. Participants came from all over the western United States for the 13th annual High Sierra 3-Step. Auburn City Councilman Bob Snyder joined the group on the final day and the event founders passed the event on to a third generation as Alex Scribner completed the 3-Step for the first time. Alexandra Carnahan said she appreciates the event because it's a chance to showcase a piece of land that has changed very little over the past century. "A lot of the people don't know the history behind the trail, the different ghost towns that they're going to walk through," she said. "The houses out there aren't able to be sold, they're passed down from generation to generation. All of the trail guides are extremely well-versed in the history of the area." Potter, who is hoping to climb the 19,340-foot Mount Kilimanjaro - Africa's highest peak - in the next few years, isn't ready to jump into ultrarunning. But after her experience at the High Sierra 3-Step, she feels inspired to reach her own goals and has a greater appreciation for those that take on the 100-mile endurance events. "To think about the horses doing those trails - I just have total admiration and respect," Potter said. "It just shows the human spirit, it's definitely mind over matter."
Todd Mordhorst, Sports Editor |
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