What is yerba mate?

Yerba mate is an herbal product derived from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis tree. Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay are the largest producers and consumers of yerba mate, but consumption around the globe is increasing.^[1] Yerba mate is generally consumed as a tea and is rich in many biologically active compounds with varying health-promoting properties. These include caffeine, theobromine, chlorogenic acid, and various other flavonoids, xanthines, cinnamic acids, saponins, vitamins (e.g., vitamin C, thiamine, pyridoxine, riboflavin) and minerals (e.g., potassium, calcium, magnesium).^[2][1]