Yerba Mate Helps To Lose Weight
Yerba mate has diuretic properties, so it can help hydrate and expel retained fluids. Plus, it could support weight loss.
Yerba mate ( Ilex paraguariensis) is a plant with whose leaves and branches some very typical drinks are prepared from countries such as: Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and some areas of Brazil. These drinks are known as “mate”, “tereré” and “mate cocido” (infusion).
Formerly, the drink with yerba mate was known as “Jesuit tea” or “Paraguayan tea”.
When this drink is consumed without adding sugar or accompanied by cookies or cakes, it can help you lose weight. How? Find out below.
Yerba mate and its properties
This bitter tasting herbal infusion consumed in South America is famous for the many health benefits attributed to its consumption. As its name implies, it is prepared with the dried and ground leaves of yerba mate, a plant that grows in mountainous or jungle areas.
Some people sweeten the drink with sugar, honey, or sweeteners. However, it is said that ” true mate” does not contain any element other than yerba and hot water.
Mate is drunk with a light bulb and a container (which bears the same name as the herb) and in summer it can also be drunk cold (for example, mixed with orange juice). It is recommended to consume after eating.
Among the main properties of this drink we can highlight the following that we are going to comment on below.
1. It would help speed up the metabolism
Due to its caffeine content, this drink could help accelerate metabolism. In relation to this point, in a study the following was taken into account:
In the popular sphere, it is often said that the yerba mate drink helps burn more calories and, therefore, helps you lose weight more quickly. It is also said that it would be able to speed up digestion, which is interesting.
Also, it used to be said that it contained “mateine”, which was supposedly a stimulant substance similar to caffeine, but this was proven to be nothing more than a myth.
2. It is calming
Although it shares some properties with coffee, the truth is that drinking this herb relaxes and calms the emotions due to its content of theobromine and theophylline, two of its most significant components.
3. It’s satiating
By filling the stomach with liquid, it would help alleviate the anxiety to eat. However, we must bear in mind that it is not a substitute for food, since it does not provide all the necessary nutrients.
- It would be a good idea to have a cup in the middle of the morning so as not to “attack” a package of cookies or a tray full of pastries.
- Yerba mate slows gastric emptying and prolongs the feeling of satiety.
4. It is an antioxidant
Due to its antioxidant content, it is said that yerba mate would help combat oxidative stress, and this generally improves the health of the entire organism. Therefore, even the skin can look healthier.
5. It is anti-inflammatory
Being a hydrating liquid that promotes urination, the yerba mate drink has a diuretic effect that helps eliminate retained fluids and, consequently, inflammation.
6. It is diuretic
As we already mentioned, the drink with yerba mate can have a certain diuretic effect, which will increase the frequency of urination. This is not only great for fighting fluid retention, but also helping the kidneys to expel grit or stones (if any).
More properties of yerba mate
This herb is increasingly famous because other interesting benefits are attributed to it, such as, for example, the ability to restrict the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscles. This allows you to keep energy levels high and increase the burning of fat and calories.
Likewise, it is said that when drunk with theophylline and theobromine, the herb dilates the bronchi and facilitates the oxygenation of the blood.
Contraindications of yerba mate
Although moderate consumption of yerba mate reduces mental and physical fatigue, drinking excessively can cause insomnia, hyperactivity and concentration problems, due to its caffeine content.
On the other hand, the astringency and tannins in mate can cause stomach discomfort, such as heartburn, or changes in bowel movements.