Yerba Mate & Weight Loss

Yerba mate has a reputation for reducing fatigue, depression, headaches and for promoting weight loss. Yerba mate, also called mate and Paraguay tea, comes from Ilex paraguariensis, a holly tree native to subtropical regions of South America. It contains antioxidants and caffeine and has become a popular addition to energy drinks and weight loss supplements. As with all supplements, consult your doctor before using yerba mate.

Background

The brew, traditionally served in a gourd with a metal filtering straw, derives from the plant's ground leaves and twigs.Yerba mate bears a reputation for suppressing appetite, aleviating depression, and increasing urination in addition to its stimulant effects, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Products that increase energy, reduce appetite and have diuretic effects are often used in weight loss teas and supplements, although these products don't seem to produce lasting results.

Research

Based on one small study, a combination of yerba mate, guarana and damiana results in slower gastric emptying and helps overweight people feel full sooner, inducing significant weight loss. Researchers from Denmark's Medical Center Charlottenlund reported their findings in the June 2001 "Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics." A group of 44 overweight participants lost an average of 5.1 kg during a 45-day trial, or just over 11 lb. A control group taking a placebo lost .3 kg, or .66 lb, barely more than 1/2 a lb. As of the time of publication, there's limited evidence for a possible weight loss effect from yerba mate. Further research is needed.

Caffeine

Due to its caffeine, theobromine and theophylline content, yerba mate stimulates the central nervous system, providing an energy lift, increased alertness and for some people, a mood lift. People sensitive to caffeine may tolerate yerba mate better than coffee due to its lower caffeine content. Increased energy can support an exercise program to promote weight loss. Compared to the 100 to 250 mg of caffeine in an average 6-oz. cup of brewed coffee, yerba mate's average 50 to 100 mg per cup offers a gentler lift. The amount of caffeine in mate, as with other caffeinated beverages, varies depending on the quantity of the herb and the brewing method. The more yerba mate you use and the longer you steep it, the more caffeine the tea will contain.

Considerations

Preliminary research indicates that yerba mate contains high levels of carcinogenic compounds. Yerba mate consumption is linked to numerous cancers, especially oral and esophogeal cancers. High water temperatures used in preparing yerba mate may increase absorption of carcinogens, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center reports. Steeping your tea with water heated below the boiling point may reduce your exposure to carcinogens. Drinking yerba mate occasionally is probably safe for a healthy adult, according to MayoClinic.com.

Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult their doctors prior to ingesting yerba mate, herbs, supplements or caffeine. Caffeine reaches the fetus, which is unable to metabolize caffeine the way an adult can, according to the American Pregnancy Association.