Mate tea can help keep your blood sugar levels balanced throughout the day.
Yerba Mate: Benefits, Uses, Dosage, Supplement Reviews
Updated Jun. 20th, 2023
The yerba mate tree (Ilex paraguariensis) is native to South America and has long been used to make a caffeine-containing hot beverage calling mate. It starts as a shrub and eventually grows to be a full tree. It has long been used as a social drink and also for its medicinal value.
Mate
A beverage commonly consumed in South America is called mate, and is made from the leaves and small twigs of the yerba mate tree steeped in hot (not boiling) water. It has a strong herbal or grassy flavour that is reminiscent of some types of green tea. It is often passed around in social settings and shared among the group.
Stimulant
Yerba mate contains three stimulant molecules known as xanthines. The main one of interest is caffeine, but yerba mate also contains theobromine and theophylline, both of which have similar effects. These xanthines also relax smooth muscles, and help to prevent cramps and spasms, while increasing heart rate and blood pressure. These constituents may also provide antioxidant benefits. For more information, please see our Antioxidant article.
Cholesterol Lowering
Drinking mate tea has been clinically shown to help promote healthy cholesterol levels. It was found to reduce LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, while also increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol. The effects were found to be even more significant in those already on statin therapy. For more information, please see our Cholesterol article.
Diabetes
A recent clinical trial found that drinking mate tea significantly reduced fasting glucose levels and also reduced hemoglobin A1c levels (HbA1c). This means that drinking mate tea can help to regulate blood sugar levels and prevent the spikes that can cause damage to arteries and nerves. For more information, please see our Diabetes article.
Weight Loss
Many supplement companies promote Yerba mate as a weight loss aid. There is little research in this area. It is likely that the stimulant effects of the xanthines allow for a reduced need for food energy sources. It also stabilizes blood sugar levels, helping to prevent energy crashes throughout the day. Through this way, Yerba mate may be able to support a reduced caloric intake, and help eliminate the common side effects of dieting. For more information, please see our Weight Loss Tips article.
How can I take Yerba Mate?
A tea can be brewed with Yerba mate in hot (not boiling) water, and steeped for several minutes. This tea can be taken throughout the day for its stimulating effects, and to help in the treatment of diabetes and high cholesterol. Yerba mate is also available in powdered form and can be found alone and in combination formulas for energy boosting and weight loss. The dose of yerba mate has not yet been established, so it is best to follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Wow! Thank you for this overview of yerbe mate. It's clear that yerbe mate has a lot of benefits! I feel that given coffee has been reported to yield numerous benefits and is the main caffinated beverage consumed in the US, it would be great to do a randomized double blind study (or even just a longitunidal study) to determine which beverage has more health promoting beverages. Just a thought! Anyway, I never knew that yerbe matcha was more potent than coffee but now I know-makes sense with the fact that yerbe matte also has theobromine and theophylline!
Hello Rachel,
Thank you for your enthusiasm towards yerba mate, a scientific study comparing the two would be interesting. Research is indeed essential in understanding the potential advantages of different beverages on our health. While there have been studies conducted on yerba mate, including its antioxidant properties and potential effects on weight management, further research can provide more comprehensive insights.
Regarding yerba mate's potency compared to coffee, it's true that yerba mate contains theobromine and theophylline, which are stimulants similar to caffeine. These compounds may contribute to its energizing effects. However, it's important to note that individual reactions to different beverages can vary based on factors such as tolerance levels and sensitivities. You can find other natural ways to boost energy with this Youtube video of ours, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxVrs8gv0k4