Yerba Mate – a Slimming Aid to Weight Loss

Drinking Yerba Mate is a tradition that originated with the Guarani Indians who lived in Paraguay/Brazil. They used it, amongst other medicinal uses to help control the appetite. In recent times, scientific research has showna link to the properties of Yerba Mate and its use as a slimming aid. It has been found that Yerba Mate can aid weight loss over a period of around 45 days.

Below I have outlined the key points of this research.

1.       Yerba Mate Supresses the Appetite in many ways:

• Yerba Mate is a well-known appetite suppressant - after drinking it you just won't fancy any food for a while. If you drink it between meals you will be able to cut out those in between meal snacks easily. In Southern South America where yerba mate is a way of life, lunch is typically at 12pm and the evening meal is usually around 10-11pm. Yerba mate is what keeps everyone going in between.

• Yerba Mate contains a wealth of vitamins and minerals. This reduces cravings for junk food – it is chemically satisfying in itself.

• Yerba Mate reduces the time for your stomach to tell your brain that you are full – prevents over eating

• Delays gastric emptying (food moving from the stomach to the intestine) thus making you feel full for longer after eating

• Stress-reducing/calming effect: helps avoid comfort eating

  
  

2.       Yerba Mate increases Metabolism

• Yerba mate contains ‘matteina’ which is a form of caffeine but doesn’t give you the jitters. This gives you an energy boost that means you don’t crave a sugar high to help you get through that workout, or help you last until dinner.

• This energy boost also gives you the motivation to perhaps get off the sofa and go for a walk, do that DIY that’s been hanging over you for the last month, go shopping, get to the gym….

• More recently, yerba mate has become a popular aid to help breakdown carbohydrates more quickly whilst exercising.

3.       Yerba Mate improves Gastric Functions

• Acts as a stimulant which increases the speed your body burns fat. It does this by increasing bile flow – the powerful digestive juice used to digest the fat in your diet.

• Provides your digestive system with many essential nutrients/vitamins & minerals to keep it working well.

  
  

  All Yerba Mate aids weight loss and has the properties described above, but did you know that some brands make specific blends to increase the extent to which they help slimming? Here are some examples: