Mate tea is a darling of many people, but does drinking mate tea make you lose weight ? After many researches based on scientific articles, we at Tea Benefits discovered this answer! Are you curious? Check out this article and other benefits of mate tea in this article!

Mate tea is a well known natural drink here in Brazil. The yerba mate is its main ingredient, which is also the base of the famous mate, traditional drink of the Brazilian south. The scientific name of yerba mate is Ilex Paraguariensis and it is rich in medicinal properties.

Yerba mate is a tree native to South America, specifically Paraguay. It has a gray stem, oval leaves, bears small purplish-red fruits that can reach 12 meters in height. To produce the tea, the leaves of this tree are used, which are very flavored and tasty.

Furthermore, it is a famous plant in other regions of the world, such as Argentina and China. See below all the benefits of tea made with yerba mate.

Mate tea helps with weight loss?

Yes, scientific studies and tests carried out on animals and humans prove: mate tea can be used to enhance healthy weight loss ! This is the result of a combination of some benefits, as together they can accelerate the fat burning (1).

Research has shown that yerba mate can promote more satiety, reduce appetite and speed up metabolism. For 12 weeks, an overweight group of participants received a small dose of yerba mate per day. To compare, another group of similar participants was given a placebo to take.

At the end of the survey, those who received yerba mate showed clear signs of weight loss, such as a 2% reduction in waist and hips, for example. Furthermore, scientists point to this herb (and its tea) as good aids in the treatment and prevention of obesity.

Discover other benefits of yerba mate

In addition to helping you lose weight and its remarkable flavor, mate tea also draws attention due to its medicinal uses. Discover the main health benefits of this tea here:

  • It is a potent antioxidant
  • Rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals
  • Fights high blood pressure
  • lowers cholesterol
  • it’s diuretic
  • protect the liver
  • Stimulates the nervous system
  • It’s anti-inflammatory

There are many benefits that would make an even longer list. Remember that these listed are the benefits proven by science so far. There may be other benefits and advantages, but we have chosen the main and most science-based ones. Below, you’ll learn more about each.

See also:  Benefits of mate tea for cholesterol

What is tea for: Understand the properties

In this topic you will see more details about each of the benefits listed above. This is also where you will confirm that all these benefits are true. The information is based on scientific sources and official research . Check out our scientific references at the end of the article!

It is a potent antioxidant

Yerba mate stands out as a plant rich in antioxidant substances , such as polyphenols (2, 3). Therefore, tea made with this plant can transfer these benefits to the body of the drinker.

First of all, it is important to make clear how important it is to consume antioxidant foods. They fight free radicals , which are substances that inhibit the healthy life cycle of the body’s cells. This makes room for various diseases, such as cancer, for example.

In addition to cancer, free radicals can cause or facilitate the emergence of other diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, premature aging, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and various degenerative diseases.

Rich in amino acids, vitamins and minerals

Mate tea brings many of the plant’s numerous nutrients. And yerba mate is one of the richest herbs in nutrients today . Because, among the large list of nutritional components, it is possible to find amino acids, vitamins and minerals that are important for good health (2).

Mate tea has caffeine, theobromine, saponins, polyphenols (as already mentioned) and, impressively, 7 of the 9 essential amino acids. In addition, it is possible to find various nutrients such as numerous vitamins and minerals that benefit health in general (4).

Fights high blood pressure

Yerba mate is a plant full of hypotensive properties, that is, capable of lowering pressure (4). This is very important for the treatment of people who suffer from high blood pressure (hypertension) or who want to prevent it.

Hypertension is a disease that affects many Brazilians and many people around the world. It is a problem that can cause illness and even lead to death. Mate tea is a great natural remedy for this problem, as it directly combats pressure rises.

lowers cholesterol

Science proves that the consumption of mate tea results in a reduction in cholesterol (4). That’s right, this drink is considered hypocholesterolemic , that is, able to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol, also known as LDL.

Meanwhile, the tea still manages to benefit the body by increasing the good cholesterol, HDL. Thus, it is possible to assume very properly that mate tea is ideal for those trying to regulate cholesterol!

it’s diuretic

Mate tea also has a diuretic effect (4). In other words, it increases the urinary flow, which helps to combat fluid retention, prevent and treat urinary infections and benefit the entire urinary system.

Medicine relates the consumption of beverages and diuretic foods to an improvement in the activity of organs such as the kidneys, bladder, urethra and even in the patient’s sex life.

protect the liver

In addition to being hypotensive (lowers blood pressure), mate tea is also hepatoprotective . In other words, it is a natural drink highly recommended for its action to protect and improve the functioning of the liver (4).

See also:  Boldo tea slims? Find it out!

Stimulates the nervous system

Another healthy advantage of consuming mate tea is its stimulating action on the nervous system (5). Thus, it is possible to associate this tea with the improvement of logical reasoning, learning ability and attention , which can help in the professional life of many people.

Furthermore, it is one of the secrets of many students who need to spend hours studying for tests, exams and selections, such as public examinations. So, use mate tea to your advantage, all in a natural way!

It’s anti-inflammatory

Last but not least, mate tea has a high anti-inflammatory potential (5). A study showed that yerba mate and, consequently, the tea from this plant can be used as an aid in the treatment of inflammation, also alleviating the symptoms of this type of problem.

Therefore, it is possible to assume that there is a relationship between the consumption of mate tea and the relief of pain in the lower back, shoulders, back and joints . Because, commonly, these pains can be caused by small inflammations in these regions.

How to make the best natural mate tea?

The recipe for natural mate tea is no secret. Quite the opposite! The preparation of this tea is simple and very quick. So, see below how to make the best natural mate tea. Follow the instructions:

  1. In a saucepan or microwave, heat the equivalent of 1 cup of filtered water and allow it to boil.
  2. After boiling, turn off the heat or remove from the microwave and add 1 tablespoon of yerba mate.
  3. Leave covered for 10 minutes.
  4. Then strain and go! Consume warm and, preferably, do not sweeten to avoid losing medicinal properties.

You can consume this tea up to 2 times a day. The best times for this are the morning and late afternoon. Remember to maintain a healthy diet so that the tea can work for your health.

Remembering that you can use other herbs to enhance the nutrients and medicinal properties of tea. You can use lemon or orange drops, for example, or even make a mixed herb tea with flavors you like and think will match the yerba mate.

Care and contraindications

Despite being a natural option, mate tea needs to be administered with some care. In this topic we will show some important precautions and contraindications that need to be strictly followed. So, stay tuned!

Anyone who has gastritis or ulcers should not drink this tea . Some actives in the drink can irritate the stomach, which will aggravate these diseases and their symptoms. It is also not a suitable drink for those who have a problem with their esophagus.

Do not mix with high blood pressure medicine . Because this natural drink lowers the pressure, many people take the tea and treatment medications. With this, it is possible for the pressure to decrease too much at once, which is also harmful.

People who suffer from insomnia should avoid it ! Mate tea is a stimulant of the body and mind, so it can end up driving away even more sleep. Therefore, patients with sleep disorders and hyperactivity should avoid drinking this tea.

Do not exaggerate the consumption of mate tea ! Drinking more than 5 cups of mate tea a day can cause intoxication at some point. So, drink moderately. As mentioned above, 1 or 2 cups a day is enough to get the natural benefits!

See also :  Mate tea: 7 reasons to drink this drink