If you’ve been on the hunt for the next big thing in wellness, chances are you’ve stumbled across yerba maté. The South American drink has gained a solid reputation as a go-to beverage for energy and focus. Picture your morning coffee and your afternoon green tea teaming up and adding a splash of herbal flair—yerba maté is that and more.
Yerba maté is a traditional South American beverage made from the dried leaves of the Ilex paraguariensis plant, and it’s known for its earthy flavor and natural caffeine content. Traditionally enjoyed through a metal straw from a hollowed-out gourd, yerba maté is a source of antioxidants and vitamins as well as a satisfying vegetal taste.
But here’s where it gets even more interesting—yerba maté might do more than just perk you up during your afternoon break. New data published in Nutrients suggests that this drink may support weight management. The idea alone feels like a bonus perk for an already impressive drink—let’s break down what the researchers found.
How Was This Study Conducted?
It has been established that when food is consumed, the body releases hormones called incretins to help regulate blood sugar, appetite and energy use. Two important incretins, GLP-1 and GIP, are produced in the gut. GLP-1 helps release insulin, slows down digestion, and makes you feel full, while GIP also supports healthy insulin levels but doesn’t affect fullness like GLP-1. When these hormones don’t work properly, it can lead to obesity or type 2 diabetes.
Yerba maté has been shown to contain compounds that may help with weight management, blood sugar levels and inflammation. To understand the effects of yerba maté supplementation further, researchers conducted a study using both animal and cell-based approaches. Mice were randomly divided into two groups, with a total of three mice in each. One group was provided with only water as their beverage, and the other was given yerba maté for four weeks. Both groups were provided with the same food.
After this period, the researchers examined certain genes and hormones in the animals’ small intestines and blood to understand how Yerba maté influenced their levels.
Additionally, the study included lab experiments on gut hormone-producing cells to see how yerba maté and its metabolites, like ferulic acid and dihydroferulic acid, directly affected hormone release.
What Did The Study Find?
The researchers found that yerba maté consumption led to a significant increase in the activity of GLP-1, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels, both at the gene level and in the bloodstream, compared to the control group. Interestingly, there was no impact on GIP, another hormone that impacts weight.
When L-cells, which produce GLP-1, were directly treated with yerba maté, there was no increase in GLP-1 production. However, a compound called dihydroferulic acid, which results from the breakdown of ferulic acid by gut bacteria, appeared to lead to an increase in GLP-1 production in these cells. This means that yerba maté’s benefits may depend on how it interacts with the gut.
Overall, the researchers suggest that yerba maté shows promise for managing blood sugar and metabolic disorders, but further research is needed to understand how it works with gut bacteria and these hormonal pathways.
Limitations
It is important to note the limitations of this study before you start downing copious amounts of this drink for weight loss support. This study was not conducted on humans, so we can’t assume the same effects observed would occur when we consume this drink. It was also a small sample size, reducing the power of the results. Finally, this was not an outcome study, meaning weight loss among the mice was not observed. Instead, changes in hormone levels were observed, which may mean that weight loss could be an effect when yerba maté is consumed. But much more data is needed to confirm this.
Still, this isn’t the first study suggesting yerba maté’s link to potential positive health outcomes. A 2019 study published in Nutrition Journal showed that, after 142 overweight or obese participants consumed a liter of either green tea, yerba maté or apple tea daily for 8 weeks, researchers found that those who drank the yerba maté experienced a significant increase in levels of PON-1, an enzyme linked to antioxidant benefits, and this increase was also associated with higher HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol).
And a review study published in Nutrients showed that yerba maté may help support energy levels, aid in weight loss by stimulating fat breakdown, support heart health and offer anti-inflammatory benefits.
How Does This Apply to Real Life
Is yerba maté the new nature’s Ozempic? While the potential benefits of yerba maté are intriguing, it’s essential to approach these findings with a grain of salt. Much of the existing research, though promising, still requires more robust and quality data before definitive conclusions can be drawn.
It’s important that you not rely solely on any one food or drink as a silver bullet for health or weight management. To truly achieve lasting results, it’s crucial to look at the bigger picture, emphasizing a balanced diet and an active lifestyle alongside any single addition like yerba maté.
That said, incorporating yerba maté into your routine may still offer valuable benefits, particularly when used in conjunction with other healthy habits. For instance, its potential role in supporting weight loss—while not guaranteed—might complement an overall strategy that includes mindful eating and regular exercise. Furthermore, yerba maté’s rich antioxidant content and its ability to provide energy without the highs and lows of sugary drinks make it an excellent substitute for less nutritious beverage options. Ultimately, its inclusion can be a thoughtful, enriching addition to a holistic approach to health and well-being.
The Bottom Line
Aside from being a delicious, traditional drink, research suggests that yerba maté can offer some potential health benefits, including helping with weight management. While more research needs to be done to draw conclusions about yerba maté’s health implications, it’s clear that this earthy, antioxidant-packed beverage has won a place in the spotlight—not just for its flavor, but for its considerable promise in supporting well-being.
Whether you’re sipping it for a morning boost, savoring it in a quiet moment of mindfulness or sharing it in a circle of friends, yerba maté can invite a sense of connection and balance. Just remember, no single drink can replace the foundations of a healthy lifestyle, so think of it as a wellness sidekick, not a one-and-done solution.
