Other than the chemical analysis, I like to think that Mate has another useful property. That is: Mate is a great chance to get together and share a moment with family and friends. Note that drinking Mate happens almost every morning and every afternoon (in many places like work, school and home), and since it takes 4 or 5 rounds to "quench" your desire of Mate, before you notice it, half an hour has passed. In the meantime you got ready to work in the morning, or talked with your kids or wife about the day in the afternoon, etc.