Still slurping coffee? It may be time to rethink your drink. Yerba maté, a beverage made from a species of holly native to South America, offers all of coffee’s uplifting properties—without the jittery side effects. You’ll also get an antioxidant boost: Maté is rich in polyphenol antioxidants that may protect against atherosclerosis and cancer (Biofactors, 2006, vol. 26, no. 1; Mutation Research, 2004, vol. 554, no. 1). You might want to add milk to soften maté’s aggressive, somewhat bitter flavor; or try a maté chai, sweetened with honey, cardamom, and cinnamon.
