Yerba Mate: Traditional Health Wisdom or Glorified Tea?

Yerba mate, a traditional South American beverage consumed for thousands of years has recently gained popularity worldwide. Partly due to the exposure from professional footballers in the public eye, players like Messi, Suarez, and Griezmann have been captured carrying a device that looks suspiciously similar to a bong, understandably drawing curiosity. Dr. Huberman has furthered the interest in maté by discussing its perceived health benefits. Derived from the leaves of the Ilex Paraguariensis plant, yerba mate is often consumed as a tea and is celebrated for its invigorating effects. But what exactly makes yerba mate so unique?

History and Geography

Yerba mate traces its origins to the indigenous Guarani people of present-day Paraguay, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Bolivia. They revered it for its medicinal and social significance. With the arrival of Spanish colonisers in the 16th century, yerba mate gained popularity among European settlers and became a widespread cultural practice throughout the region. Over time, it evolved into a cherished social custom, forming the basis for communal gatherings and rituals. It is made from the leaves of Ilex trees, which are grown in northern Argentina, southern Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay.

Preparation and Consumption

Yerba mate is traditionally prepared in a gourd and drunk through a metal straw called a bombilla. The leaves are steeped in hot water to extract the beneficial compounds. Modern adaptations include yerba mate tea bags and bottled drinks, making it accessible to a broader audience.

Nutrient Profile

Yerba mate is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. A typical serving contains:

• Vitamins: B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, vitamin C, and vitamin E. However, it's important to note that most of these vitamins can be destroyed by heat or oxygen, so traditional methods of consumption should not be considered a good way to get these vitamins.

• Minerals: Mineral content varies depending on location and soil concentrations. Potassium, magnesium, iron, calcium, and phosphorus are the primary minerals found in yerba. Despite the presence of important minerals, bioavailability is questionable. Non-heme iron, found in most plant sources, has low bioavailability. Additionally, the other minerals are mainly bound to phytic acid, which inhibits absorption. Although potassium and magnesium may be less affected.
  

• Antioxidants: Polyphenols, flavonoids, and saponins, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation.
  

• Caffeine and Theobromine: The stimulating properties of maté have long been known to South Americans, who regularly consume the beverage. Yerba mate contains water-soluble caffeine, providing approx. 80mg per cup (similar to coffee) offering a balanced energy boost. This caffeine stimulates the cerebral cortex, relieving mental and physical fatigue, enhancing memory and concentration, and improving reaction time and alertness. Additionally, it may alleviate stress and stimulate the heart and muscles, speeding up metabolic processes and oxygen uptake, which contributes to satiety, thermogenesis, and fat oxidation. Yerba mate also contains theobromine, which provides a milder, sustained energy boost without the jitteriness often associated with coffee. While its benefits are notable, it's essential to recognise that, like any caffeinated beverage, maté can be addictive. One reason why it’s anecdotal benefits should be taken with a grain of salt. The Adderall addict will always have a convincing explanation about how productive they are while on the drug.

Health Benefits

• Metabolism and Weight Management: Research indicates that yerba mate may suppress body weight gain, visceral fat accumulation, and decrease serum triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, glucose, insulin, pancreatic lipase, and leptin in diet-induced obesity models. (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Yerba mate significantly reduced food intake and body weight in high-fat diet-fed mice by increasing levels of GLP-1, a hormone that regulates appetite and promotes satiety (7). This mechanism is fascinatingly similar to how popular obesity drugs work. GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic, mimic the action of GLP-1 in the body, helping people feel satisfied with less food and thus aiding in weight loss. Yerba mate naturally boosts GLP-1 levels, suggesting it could offer a plant-based alternative for managing appetite and weight, although at a significantly less potent level.
  

• Mitigate Free Radical Damage: The high antioxidant content, particularly polyphenols, helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. This antioxidant activity is linked to reduced risks of chronic diseases such as heart disease and certain cancers.

• Digestion: Maté can aid digestion by stimulating bile production and intestinal peristalsis. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help soothe the digestive tract and may alleviate symptoms of certain gastrointestinal conditions. However, it should be noted that caffeine can act as a laxative and too much could lead to GI issues like diarrhoea, gas and dehydration.  

• Enhanced Mental Focus and Clarity: The caffeine content, combined with theobromine and theophylline, promotes increased alertness and mental clarity. These compounds may improve cognitive function, enhance mood, and reduce fatigue.

The Quality Problem

• Supply: It used to be that only a few South American countries consumed maté. This meant that the countries growing the plants only needed to supply them to their own people. However, these same countries now produce the yerba mate supply for a global market. It is a problem when the supply is less than the demand for a high-quality product. In such a situation, there can only be two outcomes: a drop in quality or a supply chain shortage. From anecdotal experience, it seems that there have been no real issues with yerba shortage in Australia. Therefore, it is tempting to speculate that the former outcome may be occurring.

• Processing and packaging: Many commercial yerba producers use herbicides, pesticides, and synthetic fertilisers to maximise crop yields, which can leave harmful residues on the leaves. Additionally, inadequate regulatory oversight in some regions can lead to inconsistencies in product safety standards. Another emerging concern is the presence of microplastics, potentially introduced from the plastic lining of common packaging materials, which can contaminate the yerba mate and pose additional health risks.

Final Thought

Yerba mate, a traditional South American beverage, is celebrated for its nutrient profile, stimulating effects, and numerous potential health benefits, including weight management, improved mental focus, and antioxidant properties. Unfortunately, modern farming practices, along with potential contamination from packaging, raise concerns about quality and safety. As global demand increases, there are questions about whether its traditional properties will be maintained.