Organic Yerba Mate for Weight Loss: How It Helps You Stay on Track

You know something’s worth noting once it’s gone viral on the ‘Gram or TikTok. Recent social media posts have claimed that consuming yerba mate for weight loss is a helpful way to maintain a healthy weight.

Fact or fiction? Our expert materos decided to put this question to the test.

The short answer? 🤔 When used in moderation, organic yerba mate can be used as a helpful aid in a balanced weight management plan. However, it works best as part of a holistic lifestyle that includes regular vigorous exercise, a healthy diet, and plenty of rest.🧘🏼♂️

But the answer is much more complex than that. If you’re curious as to how yerba mate can help you stay on track with your fitness and weight management goals, you’ll definitely want to read on.

What is yerba mate?

Before we dive into the benefits, let’s clarify what we’re drinking. Yerba mate is a caffeinated herbal tea native to South America, made from the dried leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant.

The leaves are harvested, dried (often over fire or in the sun), and ground into a mixture to be steeped in hot water. Beyond caffeine, yerba mate is packed with antioxidants like polyphenols, which promote a variety of health benefits. Some of the health benefits include:

• Lowering cholesterol

• Reducing body inflammation

• Improving blood sugar control

• Increasing energy, concentration, and mental focus

• Supporting weight management

The real question is, do the first four health benefits on this list help with weight management? We dove into the research to find out.

What is yerba mate for weight loss management?

The research suggests that yerba mate can support satiety, fullness, and weight loss.

That’s because it boosts a hormone called GLP-1, a hormone that can help manage blood sugar levels in people with Type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 may also be used as part of a comprehensive weight management plan.

It promotes a sense of fullness via leptin, a helpful hormone that signals whether you’re full.

Finally, the caffeine inside of yerba mate helps stimulate the central nervous system, a key system that supports a healthy weight. So, in fact, research does suggest that yerba mate can play an active and helpful role in weight loss management.

Does drinking yerba mate help with weight management?

That’s the million-dollar question everyone’s been asking.

Research suggests that through accelerating metabolism, increasing fat oxidation, and increasing energy expenditure, consuming yerba mate can play a role in supporting athletes and physically active individuals who want to lose weight.

Nevertheless, we should always be cautious about investing too much stock in yerba mate’s role in weight management until we’ve conducted more research to confirm this finding.

What’s clear, though, is the fact that yerba mate contains natural caffeine and other compounds like theobromine and chlorogenic acid, two compounds which can boost energy, increase metabolism, and help the body burn fat.

When incorporated into a healthy diet, rigorous physical activity, and lifestyle, the research suggests that yerba mate may be a promising aid in supporting healthy body weight.

The effects of yerba mate on weight management

If you’re looking for help with weight loss, researchers have found that drinking yerba mate may help. While the research is ongoing, this South American beverage helps with weight management by doing the following:

• Increasing energy

• Acting as an appetite suppressant

• Supporting fat-burning 

• Helping people maintain steadier blood sugar levels

Increased energy

One of the most immediate ways yerba mate supports your goals is by boosting energy levels. Containing about 80 milligrams of caffeine per cup, yerba mate stimulates the central nervous system.

Research shows that caffeine can delay fatigue and enhance performance, giving you that extra push to exercise longer and harder.

Satiety and appetite

Sticking to a nutrition plan is often the most challenging part of weight management. This area of weight management is where yerba mate shines.

Yerba mate can help with the following:

• GLP-1 support: Research suggests yerba mate may help boost GLP-1, a hormone that signals fullness to the brain and helps manage blood sugar levels.

• Leptin levels: It may improve sensitivity to leptin, another key hormone that tells your body when you are full.

• Hydration: People who add yerba mate to their diet also tend to increase their water intake, which can leave a person feeling fuller and potentially counteract the need to eat. 

The effects of yerba mate are still being studied, but given that caffeine often suppresses appetite, research suggests that the properties in yerba mate may be used as an aid with other medications and lifestyle practices to help treat disorders, including obesity and type-2 diabetes.

Improved fat burning (fat oxidation)

“But does yerba mate cause you to burn more fat?” you might ask. The answer lies in a process called fat oxidation.

This is the metabolic process where your body breaks down triglycerides, or stored fat, into molecules that can be used for energy.

Studies suggest that the compounds in yerba mate, specifically caffeine and chlorogenic acid, can help increase the rate of fat oxidation. In simple terms, fat oxidation helps your body become more efficient at using its fat stores for fuel during exercise.

Of course, more research is needed, but we’re heartened to see that mate shows promise for managing a healthy weight.

Steadier blood sugar levels

Perhaps some of the best news with yerba mate is that drinking mate regularly may help with glycemic control and those with insulin sensitivity. A controlled study found that pre-diabetes patients who consumed yerba mate on a regular basis experienced decreases in glucose levels.

While more clinical trials are needed, the current research suggests that mate is a promising aid for keeping blood sugar and energy levels steady.

Is yerba mate a functional beverage for weight management?

Yerba Mate is considered a functional beverage because it offers benefits beyond basic hydration, such as improved focus and recovery. But, moderation is key.

Because yerba mate contains caffeine, we recommend the following:

• Limit your intake: Stick to no more than 4 cups per day (approx. 300–400 mg of caffeine).

• Watch the heat: Research suggests that drinking beverages at extremely high temperatures (above 149°F/65°C) may increase the risk of esophageal issues. Let your tea cool slightly before sipping.

• Listen to your body: If you experience anxiety, jitters, or trouble sleeping, try reducing your intake.

Note: If you take prescription medication, always consult your healthcare provider before adding high-caffeine beverages to your routine.

Mate and adaptogens: did you know?

Did you know that when caffeine is combined with adaptogens, research shows that you’ll get 78 minutes longer of sustained focus? 🧠

Here’s the scoop.

Researchers tested caffeine-only versus caffeine-plus-adaptogen-based beverages over 108 minutes. The difference between those who consumed the two beverages was that the caffeine-plus-adaptogen-based beverage led to no spike or crash, just steady mental energy.📊

To learn more about the effects of caffeine by beverage, check out the summary of the research here.

Making mate a part of your weight management routine

The research is clear: the appetite suppressant effects of yerba mate coupled with regular exercise make mate a powerful ally in a fitness journey.

But, we get it. Brewing loose-leaf mate with a traditional bombilla and gourd isn’t for everyone.

If you’re looking for a quick way to enjoy yerba mate, fuel up, and stay focused for your next workout, Ola mate’s canned, ready-to-drink sparkling tea is for you. Our sparkling mate beverages include all the benefits of South American mate in a slim, easy-to-drink can that’s perfect for when you’re on the go and need something quick to fuel you.

To explore the perfect mate fit for your lifestyle, check out our online store. Until then, we wish you the best of luck on the journey ahead.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) about yerba mate

1. Does yerba mate help you lose weight?

Yerba mate can be used to help with weight maintenance. When incorporated as part of a healthy lifestyle, diet, and exercise routine, yerba mate has been shown to help overweight individuals with weight maintenance.

As always, consider reaching out to your healthcare provider to determine if mate is considered safe and useful for your weight management plan.

2. Why is yerba mate considered a functional beverage?

Functional beverages are beverages that provide health benefits to users. Yerba mate is considered a functional beverage because:

• They give you energy

• They boost mental focus, clarity, and concentration

• They can help promote physical recovery

• They help support better sleep and relaxation

• They help promote digestion and gut health

The adaptogenic herbs and antioxidants from mate help support the body’s physiological processes to ensure a healthier lifestyle. 

3. How many cups of yerba mate should you drink to support a healthy lifestyle?

At about 80 milligrams per cup, yerba mate packs a punch. Research suggests that no more than 300-400 milligrams of caffeine should be ingested per day.

In other words, no more than about four cups of yerba mate should be drunk a day. With that being said, health risks can occur if more caffeine is drunk.

Those who are sensitive to caffeine should be mindful of their caffeine and yerba mate intake. If in doubt, always consult your trusted healthcare provider for help when consuming caffeine-containing products like yerba mate, coffee, and tea.

Note: While yerba mate shows great promise, the content in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider regarding any health-related questions.

Curious About How We Got Our Start With Yerba mate?
Check Out Our Story!