Green mate - Cut leaf Pack of 250 g
Latin name: Ilex paraguariensis St. H.
Family: Aquifoliaceae
Common names: Tea from Paraguay, Tea from the Jesuits, Herb of Saint Barthélemy, Virgin tea
Parts Used: Leaf
Origin: South America, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay
Properties of Green Mate
Green mate leaves have tonic and stimulating properties for the central nervous system. We note analeptic, glycogenolytic and lipolytic effects which stimulate the heart muscle (positive inotropic and chronotropic effect of caffeine), with delayed effect. There is also an anti-obesity activity, as well as an anti-pancreatic lipase activity. Green mate reduces glucose absorption, it is a natural appetite suppressant and a powerful fat burner. It relaxes the smooth muscles, especially those of the bronchi, and acts favorably on peripheral blood circulation (migraine headaches). There is a synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect with quercetin on the inhibition of COX-2. This plant is anti-atheromatous and limits the progression of atherosclerosis.
Indications and uses of Green Mate
Green mate leaves are used in the following therapeutic indications:
- Mental and physical asthenia
- Weight gain
- Migraine headaches
Green Mate contraindications
- Potentially serious side effects with the ephedrine/caffeine mixture or with the synephrine/caffeine combination
- Genotoxic and mutagenic potential (oropharynx and esophagus)
Dosage
Action against asthenia or to promote weight loss ;
Infusion: pour hot, non-boiling water over a teaspoon of mate and strain after 5 to 10 minutes
Botanical description of Green Mate
Shrub from 4 to 10 meters in height, which can even reach 20 meters in the wild, with whitish bark.
Leaves, alternate, shiny, oblong lanceolate, with toothed edges, green above
Pharmacology
Active ingredients: Purine bases, caffeyl-quinic acid, flavonoids, saponosides, vitamins, HE
According to a study on mice, mate acts both on your satiety and your fat storage. Thus, after 4 weeks, scientists were able to observe that rodents who consumed it regularly not only lost weight, but also reduced their food consumption on their own [2].
Researchers lend a real interest for its slimming virtues of mate. This plant is also considered among the assets to fight against obesity [1].
A natural appetite suppressant and a powerful fat burner
According to a study on mice, mate acts both on your satiety and your fat storage. Thus, after 4 weeks, scientists were able to observe that rodents who consumed it regularly not only lost weight, but also reduced their food consumption on their own [2].
The researchers did not stop there. They continued their research to understand how this active ingredient acts within our body. Without going into complex details, they concluded that mate extract actively participates:
- decrease in serum cholesterol levels,
- lower triglycerides,
- to glucose regulation.
It also works in synergy with other active ingredients to slow down weight gain and prevent the accumulation of visceral fat.
Could mate be the solution to treat obesity?
A Brazilian scientific journal has evaluated the interest of mate in the fight against obesity. It reveals that it has an anti-inflammatory role, suppressing the differentiation of your fat cells (adipocytes). Antioxidant, it modulates the signals of fat formation (adipogenesis) and insulin resistance. Without forgetting that mate will participate in the modulation of the expression of genes involved in obesity [3] . It is therefore very active within your body and intervenes at several times in the complex processes induced by being very overweight.
Other benefits: associated with sport, it helps you burn more "fat" and regulate your mood and your appetite [5]. Indeed, according to a randomized double-blind study from 2017, ingesting mate before practicing physical activity increases fat burning [4]. At the rate of 2 g ingested before 30 minutes of cycling, all the sportswomen saw their caloric expenditure, their energy and their attention increase, unlike the women who consumed the placebo. In addition, their appetite has decreased considerably.
In the men participating in the study [6], it took 5 g of mate per day for 5 days taken one hour before their session to see significant results.
Thus, combining the consumption of mate with a sports effort reinforces the effectiveness of weight loss strategies.
Sources:
[1] Yerba Mate (Illex Paraguariensis) ingestion augments fat oxidation and energy expenditure during exercise at various submaximal intensities, Nutrition & Metabolism
[2] Anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects of Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in C57BL/6J mice fed a high-fat diet, Laboratory Animal Research
[3] 4. Gambero A1, Ribeiro ML2The positive effects of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) in obesity. Nutrients. 2015 Jan 22;7(2):730-50. doi: 10.3390/nu7020730
[4] Yerba Mate (Illex Paraguariensis) ingestion augments fat oxidation and energy expenditure during exercise at various submaximal intensities, Nutrition & Metabolism
[5] Alkhatib A1, Atcheson R2. Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Metabolic, Satiety, and Mood State Effects at Rest and during Prolonged Exercise. Nutrients. 2017 Aug 15;9(8). pii: E882. doi: 10.3390/nu9080882
[6] . Areta JL1, Austarheim I1, Wangensteen H1, Capelli C1 Metabolic and Performance Effects of Yerba Mate on Well-trained Cyclists. Med Sci Sports Exercise. 2018 Apr;50(4):817-826. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000001482
[7] Stefani ED, Moore M, Aune D, Deneo-Pellegrini H, Ronco AL, Boffetta P, Correa P, Acosta G, Mendilaharsu M, Luaces ME, Silva C, Landó G. Maté consumption and risk of cancer: a multi -site case-control study in Uruguay. Asian Pac J Cancer Prev. 2011;12(4):1089-93