Erling Haaland of Manchester City has shared images of himself drinking mate, the traditional South American infusion. The drink, also favored by players including Lionel Messi of Inter Miami, is known for its antioxidant properties and possible benefits for blood pressure and cholesterol.
"Thanks for Introducing Me to This Great Drink"
According to Argentine outlet TN and other media on the 20th, Haaland recently posted photos of himself drinking mate on social media. "Thanks for introducing me to this great drink," he wrote, thanking Argentine players Julian Alvarez, Enzo Fernandez and Geronimo Rulli.
Mate has long been popular in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. It is brewed from the dried leaves and stems of yerba mate, a plant in the holly family. Traditionally, the leaves are placed in a small gourd, hot water is poured over them, and the infusion is sipped through a metal straw called a bombilla. In Argentina it is popular enough to be considered a national drink.
The plant also appears in the mythology of the Guarani, an Indigenous people of South America, as a gift from a god to humankind. That origin story has earned the drink the nickname "drink of the gods."
Messi, often called the greatest footballer of his generation, is among its best-known devotees.
Antioxidants, a Caffeine Lift and Possible Effects on Blood Pressure
Mate is rich in antioxidants such as polyphenols and chlorogenic acid. These compounds may help reduce the oxidative stress linked to cell damage.
It also contains caffeine and theobromine, which can temporarily reduce drowsiness and sharpen concentration. The effects vary with individual caffeine sensitivity and how much is consumed.
Researchers have also pointed to possible improvements in blood pressure and cholesterol. In a study published in 2025 in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 52 adults drank mate three times a day for eight weeks, after which their blood pressure and some inflammation-related markers declined. Among participants with normal cholesterol levels, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, known as "bad cholesterol," also fell.
Among participants with high cholesterol, however, similar improvements were observed when they drank a control beverage. The researchers said further study is needed to establish the drink's health effects clearly.
Insomnia, Palpitations and the Limits of Caffeine
Mate may offer health benefits, but it contains caffeine, and excessive consumption should be avoided.
People sensitive to caffeine may experience insomnia, palpitations or anxiety if they drink too much. Those who also consume coffee, energy drinks or other caffeinated beverages should keep their total daily caffeine intake in mind.
