5 Impressive Health Benefits of Yerba Mate
Yerba mate, a South American tea, offers antioxidant, energy-boosting, and weight management benefits.
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Health Benefits of Yerba Mate: Yerba mate, a popular herbal tea in South America, contains caffeine and other stimulants that may offer health benefits, including antioxidant and energy-boosting effects. However, excessive consumption could increase the risk of certain cancers, according to some studies.
Originating from the Ilex paraguariensis plant native to South America, yerba mate is traditionally consumed as a drink and used in alternative medicine in countries like Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Southern Brazil. The tea is prepared by steeping dried leaves and stems in hot water, typically enjoyed from a gourd through a metal straw with a filter. The leaves are typically dried over a fire before being steeped.
Yerba mate contains several bioactive compounds, including xanthines (caffeine and theobromine), caffeoyl derivatives, saponins, and polyphenols. Caffeoyl derivatives are the tea's primary health-promoting antioxidants. These compounds are attributed to various potential health effects, including stimulation, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory properties, and cholesterol reduction. While moderate consumption of yerba mate appears to be safe, experts advise limiting daily intake to 400 milligrams to minimize potential health risks.
5 Health Benefits of Yerba Mate
Following are some of the top health benefits of Yerba mate tea.
1. Increases Physical Performance: Yerba mate, a popular South American tea, may boost physical performance and aid in weight management. Caffeine is well-known for its ergogenic effects, improving muscle contractions, reducing fatigue, and enhancing sports performance by up to 5 percent. Yerba mate, containing a moderate amount of caffeine, offers similar advantages. One study found that consuming a 1-gram capsule of ground yerba mate leaves right before exercise increased fat burn by 24 percent during moderate-intensity exercise. However, the optimal dosage of yerba mate for pre-exercise consumption remains unclear.
2. Prevents Infections: Bacterial, parasitic, and fungal illnesses may be prevented using yerba mate. E. coli, a bacteria that causes food poisoning symptoms like diarrhea and cramping in the stomach, was found to be deactivated by a high dose of yerba mate extract in some previous test-tube studies. Additionally, yerba mate compounds may inhibit the formation of Malassezia furfur, a fungus that causes dandruff, scaly skin, and some skin rashes. However, the majority of these investigations were conducted on isolated cells. Whether these benefits apply to humans is yet unknown, and more recent, high-quality study is required.
3. Helps in Weight Management: Yerba mate, a popular South American tea, may aid in weight management, according to some studies. Research suggests that it could be beneficial for reducing body weight, belly fat, and body mass index (BMI). The purported effects of yerba mate on weight management may be related to its ability to impact fat cells. As per studies, yerba mate may decrease the total number of fat cells and reduce the amount of fat they hold. Additionally, human studies suggest that yerba mate may increase the amount of stored fat burned for energy.
4. Reduces Inflammation: Yerba mate tea, a popular beverage in South America, contains polyphenols with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties may contribute to the tea's widespread use as a natural remedy in many parts of the world. Antioxidants play a crucial role in the body by neutralizing free radicals, which are unstable atoms that can cause oxidative stress and damage cells. Oxidative stress can lead to inflammation, organ damage, and various health issues. This process impairs cellular repair. The polyphenols found in yerba mate tea help reduce the number of free radicals in the body, potentially mitigating the effects of oxidative stress and promoting overall health and well-being.
5. Supports Heart Health: Yerba mate tea, a popular beverage in South America, may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health, according to some studies. This tea contains naturally occurring plant compounds called saponins, which have been shown to lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, both of which are risk factors for heart disease. Studies have linked yerba mate tea consumption with lower levels of 'bad' LDL cholesterol and higher levels of 'good' HDL cholesterol.
(Disclaimer: Parts of this article were generated by AI and published after the content was editorially modified and verified by a human based on their own judgement and expertise. The Quint does not publish AI-generated content without direct human involvement and oversight).