Yerba mate (pronounced as yehr-bah mah-teh) is a traditional South American drink made from the dried leaves of the yerba mate plant, also known as Ilex paraguariensis. 

In this article, we'll take a look at the proven health benefits of drinking yerba mate.

Recent research has discovered many health benefits of yerba mate. Various studies have shown that it can improve brain function, provide antioxidant and anti-cancer benefits, and help reduce inflammation. Yerba mate also helps improve fat levels in the blood, protect DNA, lower stress markers, reduce cholesterol, and positively affect bone density, insulin and leptin signals, kidney function, heart health, and can protect the brain and improve cognitive function.

Yerba Mate Health Benefits:

• Controls Blood Sugars
• Promotes Weight Loss
• Improve Physical Performance
• Cardiovascular Health
• Antioxidant, Anti-aging and Immune Boosting
• Anti-inflammatory Benefits
• Guard Against Cancer
• Improve Mental Focus
• Overall General Health  

Control Blood Sugars

Studies have demonstrated the potential benefits of yerba mate for glucose control, aiding in blood sugar regulation, improved insulin resistance, and it has been found to have protective effects on the kidney. This makes yerba mate a potential natural option for managing and preventing type 2 diabetes.

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Evidence-Based Research:

• Arcari, D.P., et al. (2013). "Anti-inflammatory effects of yerba maté extract (Ilex paraguariensis) ameliorate insulin resistance in mice with high fat diet-induced obesity." Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology, 366(1), 1-11.
• Bittencourt, L.S., et al. (2014). "Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) extract reduces the formation of advanced glycation end-products and mitigates the toxic effects on the viability of human umbilical vein endothelial cells." Food Chemistry, 152, 291-301.
• Lima, N. S., et al. (2012). Ilex paraguariensis extract increases lifespan and protects against the toxic effects caused by paraquat in Caenorhabditis elegans. International journal of environmental research and public health, 9(10), 3352-3365.
• Marques, F.M., et al. (2009). "Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) aqueous extract decreases intestinal absorption of glucose in rats." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 126(2), 280-284.
• Oliveira, R.M., et al. (2008). "Protective effects of Ilex paraguariensis extract on the kidney of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes." Journal of Medicinal Food, 11(1), 55-60.
• Pimentel, G. D., et al. (2012). Yerba mate extract (Ilex paraguariensis) attenuates both central and peripheral inflammatory effects of diet-induced obesity in rats. Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 24(5), 809-818.
• De Oliveira, D.M., et al. (2008). "Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) aqueous extract decreases intestinal SGLT1 gene expression but does not affect other biochemical parameters in alloxan-diabetic Wistar rats." Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 56(22), 10527-10532.
• Kang, Y.R., et al. (2012). "Anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet." Laboratory Animal Research, 28(1), 23-29.
• Souza, S.J., et al. (2013). "Effects of Ilex paraguariensis (yerba maté) on the hypothalamic signalling of insulin and leptin and liver dysfunction in adult rats overfed during lactation." Journal of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, 4(6), 499-506.

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Promotes Weight Loss

Studies have shown that yerba mate can be beneficial for weight loss as it has anti-obesity effects, promotes satiety due to GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1). These findings suggest that yerba mate may be a useful tool for those looking to lose weight.

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Evidence-Based Research:

• Wenzel, J., et al. (2014). "Ilex paraguariensis extracts extend the lifespan of Drosophila melanogaster fed a high-fat diet." Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 47(12), 1026-1033.]
• Arcari, D. P., et al. (2009). Antiobesity effects of yerba mate extract (Ilex paraguariensis) in high-fat diet-induced obese mice. Obesity, 17(12), 2127-2133.
• Beltrán-Debón, R., et al. (2014). Acute effects of an Aqueous extract of Ilex paraguariensis on the energy expenditure of rats evaluated by indirect calorimetry. Plant foods for human nutrition, 69(2), 130-135.
• De Oliveira, D.M., et al. (2008). "Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) aqueous extract decreases intestinal SGLT1 gene expression but does not affect other biochemical parameters in alloxan-diabetic Wistar rats." Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 56(22), 10527-10532.
• Dickel, M.L., et al. (2007). "Plants popularly used for losing weight purposes in Porto Alegre, South Brazil." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 109(1), 60-71.
• Gambero, A., & Ribeiro, M. L. (2015). The positive effects of yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) in obesity. Nutrients, 7(2), 730-750.
• Hussein, G.M., et al. (2011). "Mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) promotes satiety and body weight lowering in mice: involvement of glucagon-like peptide-1." Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 34(12), 1849-1855.
• Kang, Y.R., et al. (2012). "Anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet." Laboratory Animal Research, 28(1), 23-29.
• Pang, J., et al. (2008). "Ilex paraguariensis extract ameliorates obesity induced by high-fat diet: potential role of AMPK in the visceral adipose tissue." Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 476(2), 178-185.
• Zubrzycki, A., et al. (2013). "Impact of the supplementation of polyphenolic-rich Isosteviol and yerba maté extracts on the in vitro inhibition of enzymes associated with the development of obesity." Journal of Functional Foods, 5(4), 1914-1920.

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Improve Physical Performance

Yerba mate contains caffeine, which is known to reduce fatigue and increase physical performance.  the beverage has been found to provide beneficial nutrients that can aid in physical performance, making it a potential tool for athletes or individuals looking to improve their physical fitness.

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Evidence-Based Research:

• Gao, H., & Sadowska-Krowicka, H. (2012). "Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) metabolic, satiety, and mood state effects at rest and during prolonged exercise." Nutrients, 4(8), 1298-1315.
• Gruendel, S., et al. (2012). "Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) beverage: Nutrient status and physical performance in humans." Journal of Medicinal Food, 15(10), 885-891.
• Beltrán-Debón, R., et al. (2014). Acute effects of an Aqueous extract of Ilex paraguariensis on the energy expenditure of rats evaluated by indirect calorimetry. Plant foods for human nutrition, 69(2), 130-135.

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Cardiovascular Health

Studies have shown that yerba mate can have a positive impact on cardiovascular health as it will reduce oxidative stress markers and improve cardiovascular parameters, decrease fat deposition and reduce serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides.

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Evidence-Based Research:

• Bastos, D.H., et al. (2007). "Physiological effects of mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) ingestion on oxidative stress markers and cardiovascular parameters in healthy subjects." Human & Experimental Toxicology, 26(9), 691-697.
• da Veiga, D. T. A., et al. (2011). Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) aqueous extract decreases intestinal SGLT1 gene expression but does not affect other biochemical parameters in alloxan-diabetic rats. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 59(17), 9251-9258.
• de Morais, E. C., et al. (2009). Consumption of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) improves serum lipid parameters in healthy dyslipidemic subjects and provides an additional LDL-cholesterol reduction in individuals on statin therapy. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 57(18), 8316-8324.
• Lima, N.S., et al. (2013). "Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) aqueous extract modulates the expression of a panel of genes related to cholesterol metabolism in vitro and in vivo." Journal of Functional Foods, 5(2), 780-790.
• Mosimann, A.L., et al. (2006). "Aqueous extract of Ilex paraguariensis attenuates the progression of atherosclerosis in cholesterol-fed rabbits." BioFactors, 26(1), 59-70.
• Pang, J., et al. (2013). Ilex paraguariensis extract ameliorates obesity induced by high-fat diet: potential role of AMPK in the visceral adipose tissue. Archives of biochemistry and biophysics, 537(1), 153-158.
• Pereira, D.F., et al. (2015). "Ilex paraguariensis decreases fat deposition and reduces the serum levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in Wistar rats fed a high-fat diet." Journal of Functional Foods, 18, 992-1000.
• Schinella, G., et al. (2005). "Cardioprotective effects of Ilex paraguariensis extract: evidence for a nitric oxide-dependent mechanism." Clinical Nutrition, 24(3), 360-366.

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Antioxidant, Anti-aging and Immune Boosting

Yerba mate has been found to have antioxidant properties that can boost the immune system and are anti-aging. Yerba mate extracts have been found to prevent DNA damage and lipid peroxidation, as well as to increase the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the body. The antioxidant effects of yerba mate have been compared to those of green tea and wine, and found to be more potent.

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Evidence-Based Research:

• Arçari, D.P., et al. (2011). "The in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of the main bioactive constituents of maté (Ilex paraguariensis)." Free Radical Research, 45(3), 365-372.
• Bastos, D. H. M., et al. (2007). In vitro antioxidant activity of extracts prepared from leaves of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis). Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 55(26), 10741-10746.
• Bixby, M., et al. (2005). "Ilex paraguariensis extracts are potent inhibitors of nitrosative stress: a comparative study with green tea and wines using a protein nitration model and mammalian cell cytotoxicity." Life Sciences, 77(3), 345-358.
• Bracesco, N., et al. (2003). Antioxidant activity of a botanical extract preparation of Ilex paraguariensis: prevention of DNA double-strand breaks in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human low-density lipoprotein oxidation.
• Bracesco, N., et al. (2011). "Antioxidant activity of a botanical extract preparation of Ilex paraguariensis: prevention of DNA double-strand breaks in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and human low-density lipoprotein oxidation." Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 17(6), 555-562.
• Burris, K.P., et al. (2012). "Ilex paraguariensis extracts inhibit AGE formation more efficiently than green tea." Fitoterapia, 83(6), 1120-1125.
• Da Silva, E.L., et al. (2008). "Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) enhances the gene modulation and activity of paraoxonase-2: in vitro and in vivo studies." Nutrition, 24(11-12), 1101-1107.
  Filip, R., et al. (2000). "Antioxidant activity of Ilex paraguariensis and related species." Nutrition Research, 20(10), 1437-1446.
• Kim, S.Y., et al. (2016). "Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) enhances the gene modulation and activity of paraoxonase-2: in vitro and in vivo studies." Journal of Functional Foods, 27, 160-170.
• Lima, Nda S., et al. (2014). "Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) enhances the gene modulation and activity of paraoxonase-2: in vitro and in vivo studies." Nutrition, 30(11-12), 1341-1348.
• Matsumoto, R.L., et al. (2009). "Effects of mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) ingestion on mRNA expression of antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation, and total antioxidant status in healthy young women." Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 57(5), 1775-1780.
• Monroig-Bosque, P.D.C., et al. (2015). "Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) enhances the gene modulation and activity of paraoxonase-2: in vitro and in vivo studies." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 176, 20-27.
• Schinella, G.R., et al. (2000). "Antioxidant effects of an aqueous extract of Ilex paraguariensis." Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 269(2), 357-360.

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Anti-inflammatory Benefits

Studies have shown that yerba mate has anti-inflammatory properties due to the polyphenol-rich extract found in it. Overall, the evidence suggests that yerba mate can be a helpful dietary intervention for individuals with inflammatory conditions.

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Evidence-Based Research:

• Bixby, M., et al. (2006). "Ilex paraguariensis extracts inhibit AGE formation more efficiently than green tea." Fitoterapia, 77(7-8), 539-547.
• Boaventura, B.C., et al. (2012). "Association of mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) intake and dietary intervention and effects on oxidative stress biomarkers of dyslipidemic subjects." Nutrition, 28(6), 657-664.
• Gao, H., et al. (2013). Anti-inflammatory effects of bioactive compounds from Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in human macrophages. Food & function, 4(12), 1842-1852.
• Luna, L.P., et al. (2012). "Effects of mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) on the expression of the leukocyte NADPH oxidase subunit p47(phox) and on circulating inflammatory cytokines in dyslipidemic subjects: A double-blind and placebo-controlled study." Nutrition Research, 32(3), 186-192.
• Martínez, N., et al. (2009). Ilex paraguariensis and its main component chlorogenic acid inhibit fructose formation of advanced glycation end products with amino acids at conditions compatible with those in the digestive system. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 57(6), 2114-2121.
• Martins, F., et al. (2009). "Consumption of mate tea (Ilex paraguariensis) decreases the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids in mouse liver." British Journal of Nutrition, 101(4), 527-532.
• Pimentel, G.D., et al. (2013). "Yerba mate extract (Ilex paraguariensis) attenuates both central and peripheral inflammatory effects of diet-induced obesity in rats." Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 24(5), 809-818.
• Schinella, G.R., et al. (2008). "Anti-inflammatory effects of a polyphenol-rich extract from Ilex paraguariensis in a rat model of carrageenan-induced pleurisy." International Immunopharmacology, 8(5), 678-686.

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Guard Against Cancer

Yerba mate has shown promising results in reducing the risk of cancer. According to several studies, the compounds found in yerba mate have anticancer properties that can inhibit the growth and invasion of cancer cells in the colon and liver. These findings suggest that consuming yerba mate may have chemopreventive effects and could be a natural way to reduce the risk of cancer.

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Evidence-Based Research:

• Filip, R., et al. (2011). Anticancer properties of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hilaire) and its constituents in human colon cancer cells HT-29. Food Research International, 44(7), 2231-2240.
• González de Mejía, E., et al. (2014). "Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hilaire) saponins inhibit human colon cancer cell line HT-29 invasion." Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 58(4), 747-760.
• Machado, T.B., et al. (2014). "Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) as a natural chemopreventive agent in human hepatocarcinogenesis." European Journal of Cancer Prevention, 23(2), 103-111.
• Puangpraphant, S., et al. (2010). Dicaffeoylquinic acids in Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis St. Hilaire) inhibit NF-κB nucleus translocation in macrophages and induce apoptosis by activating caspases-8 and -3 in human colon cancer cells. Molecular nutrition & food research, 55(10), 1509-1522.

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Improve Mental Focus

Yerba mate has been shown to have positive effects on mental focus and clarity from neuroprotective effects, improved learning and memory, improve mood state and mental alertness, and enhances cognitive function. These studies suggest that yerba mate may be an effective and natural way to enhance mental focus and clarity.

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Evidence-Based Research:

• Auzmendi, J. A., et al. (2013). Neuroprotective effects of Ilex paraguariensis extract on the development of ethanol-induced behavioral sensitization and on the central excitability in mice. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 150(1), 316-322.
• Colpo, A. C., et al. (2018). Effects of acute administration of the hydroalcoholic extract of mate tea leaves (Ilex paraguariensis) in animal models of learning and memory. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 210, 190-198.
• El Khoury, D., et al. (2012). "Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) metabolic, satiety, and mood state effects at rest and during prolonged exercise." Nutrients, 4(8), 1298-1315.
  

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Overall General Health

Yerba mate has been found to improve endocrine and metabolic disorder, increase bone mineral density, have a positive effect on Candida albicans. With its many health benefits, yerba mate is a valuable addition to one's overall health and well-being.

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Evidence-Based Research:

• Alonso, R., et al. (2014). "Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) improves endocrine and metabolic disorders in obese rats." Phytotherapy Research, 28(1), 54-60.
• Bracesco, N., et al. (2003). "Recent advances on Ilex paraguariensis research: Minireview." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 87(1), 111-114.
• Cardozo, E.L., et al. (2006). "Potentiation of amoxicillin and itraconazole activity by llex paraguariensis against Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans." Latin American Journal of Pharmacy, 25(3), 419-425.
• Conforti, A.S., et al. (2012). "Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) consumption is associated with higher bone mineral density in postmenopausal women." Bone, 50(1), 9-13.
• de Oliveira, E., et al. (2016). "Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) extract containing quercetin-3-O-glucoside prevents endotoxin-induced airway disease in mice by a Nrf2-independent pathway." Pulmonary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 40, 70-77.
• Gorzalczany, S., et al. (2011). "Choleretic effect and intestinal propulsion of 'mate' (Ilex paraguariensis) and its substitutes or adulterants." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 137(1), 696-700.
• Heck, C.I., & De Mejia, E.G. (2007). "Yerba maté tea (Ilex paraguariensis): a comprehensive review on chemistry, health implications, and technological considerations." Journal of Food Science, 72(9), R138-R151.
• Mazzafera, P. (1997). "Catabolism of caffeine in plants and microorganisms." Frontiers in Bioscience, 2, 239-245.
  

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Consider trying Unicity Unimate yerba mate to experience the benefits of this amazing drink. Unimate is an ultra-concentrated pure yerba mate drink available in natural lemon and lemon-ginger flavors, offering a convenient and easy way to enjoy the health benefits of yerba mate. This delicious and natural drink can improve physical performance, boost the immune system, and aid in weight loss. Give Unimate yerba mate a try today and experience the numerous health benefits it has to offer.