Yerba Mate
Yerba mate is a caffeinated South American tea studied for energy, metabolic, and cognitive outcomes.
Overview
What is yerba mate?
Yerba mate is a tea made from the leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. It contains biologically active compounds including caffeine, chlorogenic acid, theobromine and other flavonoids, xanthins, cinnamic acids, saponins, minerals and vitamins.
Dosage
Typical dosing unknown.
Effect graph
Effect heatmap
SupplementDEX Database
13 conditions for , and rated at least stars. All purchase bands. No minimum star filter.
Database Snapshot
Most yerba mate research is concentrated in a handful of conditions.
- Obesity accounts for 7 of 24 studies (29%).
- Dyslipidemia accounts for 4 of 24 studies (17%).
- Cancer risk accounts for 2 of 24 studies (8%).
- Sparse coverage remains for Cancer risk, Osteoporosis, Athletic performance.
Safety
Dose windows
Long-term
Yerba mate consumption is associated with an increased risk of cancer of many types including stomach, kidney, bladder, cervical and mouth cancer. Although, this increased risk may be attributed to the high temperatures at which yerba mate is often consumed, at least in cases of oesophageal cancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
References
Sources20 references
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SupplementDEX Database · Dyslipidemia
4 references1.SupplementDEX Database: Dyslipidemia — Effect of Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) on Lipid Levels: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis2022
In a meta-analysis of 378 participants, in conclusion, this research showed that yerba mate consumption was not associated with a significant change in lipid levels.
2.SupplementDEX Database: Dyslipidemia — Association of mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) intake and dietary intervention and effects on oxidative stress biomarkers of dyslipidemic subjects2011
In an RCT in patients, for all groups, there was a significant increase in ferric reducing antioxidant potential and reduced glutathione concentrations but no significant changes in LOOH, protein carbonyl, and paraoxonase-1 values.
3.SupplementDEX Database: Dyslipidemia — Mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) improves glycemic and lipid profiles of type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes individuals: a pilot study2011
In an RCT, 330 mL mate tea, 3×/day, for 60 days, mate tea consumption decreased significantly the levels of fasting glucose (25.0 mg/dL), glycated hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) (0.85%), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (13.5 mg/dL) of T2DM subjects (p < 0.05); however, it did not change the intake of total energy, protein,...
4.SupplementDEX Database: Dyslipidemia — Consumption of yerba mate ( Ilex paraguariensis ) improves serum lipid parameters in healthy dyslipidemic subjects and provides an additional LDL-cholesterol reduction in individuals on statin therapy2009
In a controlled trial of 57 participants, for 40 days, it was thus concluded that intake of yerba mate infusion improved the lipid parameters in normolipidemic and dyslipidemic subjects and provided an additional LDL-cholesterol reduction in hypercholesterolemic subjects on statin treatment, which may reduce the risk for...
5.SupplementDEX Database: Athletic performance — Metabolic and Performance Effects of Yerba Mate on Well-trained Cyclists2017
In an RCT of 9 participants, 5 g/day, respiratory exchange ratio during TT indicated carbohydrate dependence and did not differ between treatments (PL, 0.95 ± 0.03 (SD); YM, 0.95 ± 0.02).
6.SupplementDEX Database: Bone mineral density — Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) consumption is associated with higher bone mineral density in postmenopausal women2011
In an observational study of 146 participants, ≥1 L yerba mate tea/day, from a program for osteoporosis prevention and treatment, postmenopausal women who drank at least 1 L of Yerba Mate tea daily during 4 or more years (n=146) were identified, and matched by age and time since menopause with an equal number of women who did not...
SupplementDEX Database · Cancer risk
2 references7.SupplementDEX Database: Cancer risk — Maté consumption association with upper aerodigestive tract cancers: A systematic review and meta-analysis2018
In a meta-analysis, consumption of more than one liter of maté per day was associated with increased odds of having UADT cancer compared to an intake of less than one liter per day (OR = 1.72; 95%CI = 1.47-2.01).
8.SupplementDEX Database: Cancer risk — Drinking of maté and the risk of cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract in Latin America: a case-control study2010
In an observational study, our study strengthens the evidence of an association between maté drinking and esophageal cancer; the hypothesis of an association with other UADT cancers remains to be clarified.
Cognitive performance
1 reference9.Psychological and cardiovascular effects of Guaraná and yerba mate: A comparison with coffee. See external sourceExternal source
SupplementDEX Database · Metabolic health
1 reference10.SupplementDEX Database: Metabolic health — Effects of mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) ingestion on mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and total antioxidant status in healthy young women2009
In a study in women, these results suggest that regular consumption of mate tea may increase antioxidant defense of the body by multiple mechanisms.
11.SupplementDEX Database: Muscle mass & strength — Acute Supplementation of Yerba Mate Extract Did Not Change Muscle Strength in Physically Active Men Following the Strength Muscle Test: A Pilot Clinical Trial2022
In an RCT of 12 participants, placebo: 59.5 ± 21.5 kg, p = 1.000, Cohen's d = 0.) In conclusion, acute intake of YM did not change muscle strength in physically active men.
SupplementDEX Database · Osteoporosis
1 reference12.SupplementDEX Database: Osteoporosis — The yerba mate intake has a neutral effect on bone: A case-control study in postmenopausal women2018
In an observational study of 46 participants, in conclusion, the yerba mate intake is not associated with fracture, and it appears to have a neutral effect on the bone metabolism.
SupplementDEX Database · Obesity
7 references14.SupplementDEX Database: Obesity — Heavy drinkers of Ilex paraguariensis beverages show lower lipid profiles but higher body weight2018
In an observational study of 18 participants, induced hypoglycemia and compensatory higher intake of refined carbohydrates may represent a possible cause.
16.SupplementDEX Database: Obesity — Anti-obesity effects of Yerba Mate (Ilex Paraguariensis): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial2015
In an RCT of 15 participants, 3 g/day, for 12 weeks, these results suggested that Yerba Mate supplementation may be effective for treating obese individuals.
17.SupplementDEX Database: Obesity — Yerba Maté (Illex Paraguariensis) ingestion augments fat oxidation and energy expenditure during exercise at various submaximal intensities2014
In an RCT in obese patients, 1,000 mg yerba mate, yM significantly increased FAO and EEFAO by 24% in all submaximal exercise intensities below 70% of [Formula: see text] (p < 0.001, ANOVA main effects) with post hoc tests showing a higher FAO and EEFAO (p < 0.05) at the lower exercise intensities (e.g.
18.SupplementDEX Database: Obesity — Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients2001
In 22 overweight patients, the herbal blend YGD (yerba mate, guarana, damiana) delayed gastric emptying and reduced body weight over 45 days versus placebo.
19.SupplementDEX Database: Obesity — Thermogenic effects of commercially available plant preparations aimed at treating human obesity1999
In an RCT in obese patients, no significant increase in energy expenditure (EE) has been noted after treatment with any of these preparations.
13.Efficacy of Ilex paraguariensis versus Placebo on Lipid Profile in Randomized Clinical Trial: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. See external sourceExternal source
15.The Effect of Maté Extract on Body Weight and Fat Reduction in Obese Women: A Randomized Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial. See external sourceExternal source
SupplementDEX Database · Parkinson's disease
1 reference20.SupplementDEX Database: Parkinson's disease — A Case-Control Study of the Effects of Chimarrão (Ilex paraguariensis) and Coffee on Parkinson's Disease2021
In an observational study of 200 participants, Chimarrão consumption was inversely associated with PD, even after adjusting for coffee intake, suggesting a possible protective role.