6 Yerba Mate Benefits Worth Noting

Yerba Mate...have you heard of it?

Chances are you have.

Commonly found in natural ready-to-drink energy drinks, Yerba Mate is gaining popularity in the ready-to-drink category as well as natural supplements.

Commonly found in pre-workout supplements, Yerba Mate has replaced traditional caffeine sources to provide natural and cleaner options.

WHAT IS YERBA MATE?

The "social drink" of South America.

Yerba Mate is a South American herbal tea extracted from the leaves and twigs of the yerba mate plant—Ilex Paraguariensis.   

Commonly used as an herbal tea, people drink Yerba Mate for its distinct flavor as well as ample health benefits.

The most popular reason is its caffeine content and energy-boosting properties.

6 BENEFITS OF YERBA MATE

• Aids in Weight Loss
• Powerful Antioxidant Properties
• Promotes Heart Health
• Rich in Nutrients
• Improves Athletic Performance
• Protects Against Disease

Let's dive in...

YERBA MATE AIDS IN WEIGHT LOSS AND REDUCING BELLY FAT

• Increases Energy Levels
• Boosts Metabolism
• Uses Stored Fat as an Energy Source
• Decreases Fat Cells

Numerous studies show the positive impact that Yerba Mate has on metabolism, fat loss, and obesity.

Yerba mate increases basal metabolism, which is your body's use of energy while at rest and promotes feelings of satiety to reduce food intake.

Study 1 shows that consuming Yerba Mate increased weight loss during exercise by breaking down stored fat in the body and turning it into energy.

Study 2 supports the notion that Yerba Mate has anti-obesity effects. The study showed that overweight participants who supplemented with 3 grams of Yerba Mate per day reduced their belly fat by 2% and on average lost 1.5 pounds.

On the contrary, participants in Study 2 that received a placebo, gained 6.2 pounds and saw a 1% increase in belly fat in the same 12-week period.

AN ANTIOXIDANT POWERHOUSE

Yerba mate has a high content of potent antioxidant compounds, such as polyphenols, chlorogenic acid, and caffeoyl derivatives to fight off free radicals that can cause problems such as:

• Accelerated aging
• Cataracts and Detioriating Vision
• Joint Inflammation
• Nerve Cell Damage
• Cardiovascular Problems
• Certain Cancers

Polyphenols - naturally found in plants, polyphenols act as antioxidants to fight free radicals that can potentially damage cells and increase your chances of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

Chlorogenic Acid - found in high concentrations in Yerba Mate, Chlorogenic Acid promotes heart health by lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, and clearing the arteries. Also known to destroy bacteria and help with diabetes, Chlorogenic Acid has many benefits.

Caffeoyl Derivatives - are antioxidant compounds found in wild herbs.

Yerba Mate's antioxidant load helps to fight free radicals to keep you healthy and functioning at optimal levels.

PROMOTES HEART HEALTH

In addition to its antioxidant compounds that prevent heart problems, studies have proven that yerba mate may effectively prevent the thickening of arteries, which is caused by a buildup of plaque in the artery's inner lining.

Plaque is made up of substances like cholesterol, calcium, fatty substances, and cellular waste products. If left unaddressed, the plaque buildup can cause obstruction of blood flow and possibly a heart attack.

Yerba mate contains a compound known as theobromine, a cardiac stimulant. It widens blood vessels, preventing high blood pressure and promoting a healthy heart.  

Research has also shown that yerba mate can lower bad cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of developing heart disease.

YERBA MATE IS RICH IN NUTRIENTS

Nutrient-rich Yerba Mate contains:

• Minerals - Iron, Zinc, Magnesium, Calcium, Manganese, and Potassium.
• Vitamins - A, B1, B2, B6, C, and E
• Essential Amino acids
• Polyphenols
• Saponins

These nutrients play a part in reducing the risk of developing chronic diseases and maximizing your overall health and well-being.  

ENHANCES ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE

The caffeine content in Yerba Mate takes the cake for enhancing athletic performance.

• Increases Energy
• Increases Physical Capacity
• Improves Mental Processes
• Reduces Symptoms of Fatigue

One study on the effects caffeine has on athletic performance, showed that low doses of caffeine improved performance, increased endurance, and improved cognitive functions and processes during strenuous exercise.

Other studies show that caffeine consumed an hour before exercise can improve performance in endurance exercises by up to 5%.

An 8-ounce cup of yerba mate contains an average of 40 mg of caffeine compared to 80-100 mg of caffeine in a similar cup of coffee. 

The key to improved performance is lower doses of caffeine - stay away from high amounts of caffeine that could be detrimental to endurance sports.

YERBA MATE PROTECTS AGAINST INFECTIONS

A study found small concentrations of yerba mate to be effective in preventing infections caused by Staph. When used in higher amounts, yerba mate can help prevent health problems caused by E. Coli bacteria.

Staph can cause skin infections, pneumonia, bone infection, and heart valve infection. E. Coli causes diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.

Yerba mate also has antifungal properties against Malassezia furfur, a yeast that naturally grows on the skin.

It can cause fungal infections with symptoms like:

• Persistent dandruff
• Scaly patches
• Discolored or red skin. 

In addition, yerba mate contains natural compounds known as saponins. Saponins carry anti-inflammatory properties. 

The anti-inflammatory effect has been shown to resolve insulin resistance caused by a fatty diet. Insulin resistance causes an increased risk of severe health problems like diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.