Drinking yerba mate daily may help with weight loss. This is because yerba mate contains caffeine, a substance with thermogenic properties that speeds up the metabolism and promotes fat burning in the body.
In addition, yerba mate can also help with weight loss by slowing down gastric emptying, increasing satiety (feeling of fullness), and promoting diuresis (increased urination), which can help with swelling.
While yerba mate can support weight loss, a low-calorie diet and regular physical activity (such as running, weight lighting, or swimming) is necessary to achieve meaningful weight loss.
Quantities for weight loss
The recommended amount of yerba mate to consume for weight loss is up to 1.5 L (six to seven 8-oz glasses) per day for up to 60 days. It may be consumed hot or cold.
It is important not to add sugar, honey, or syrup to the tea, as they are high in carbohydrates and add calories to your diet.
Regular physical activity and maintaining a healthy, well-balanced diet are fundamental to achieving weight loss. Try to choose real, whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and lean protein.
Dietary requirements depend on the individual and will vary from person to person depending on food allergies and other health conditions you may have. It is important to consult a dietitian to determine if a specific diet is right for you.
How to make
To make yerba mate, place 1 tsp of yerba mate loose leaf tea, or 1 teabag of yerba mate, in a teacup and add boiling water. Cover and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain the tea and drink. Add a sugar-free sweetener if you like.
Also recommended: Yerba Mate Tea: Health Benefits, How to Make & Side Effects tuasaude.com/en/yerba-mateRecipes for weight loss
In addition to drinking yerba mate on its own, you can also prepare other teas using yerba mate with ingredients that can also help with weight loss.
1. Yerba mate with lemon
Lemon helps with weight loss because it is a palate cleanser that decreases cravings for sweet foods. It also has diuretic properties that can help with fluid retention.
Ingredients:
- 4 yerba mate tea bags;
- 1 L filtered or boiling water;
- Sweetener to tase;
- Juice of ½ lemon;
- Ice cubes as desired.
Instructions:
Bring 1L of water to a boil and remove from the heat. Place the tea bags in the water, cover, and let steep for 5 minutes. Place the tea in the refrigerator until it is nice and cold.
Combine the tea, lemon juice, sweetener, and ice cubes in a blender and blend well.
2. Yerba mate with ginger
In addition to yerba mate, ginger can also support weight loss. Ginger contains gingerol, a bioactive compound with thermogenic properties that stimulates fat burning in the body. Read about how to lose weight with ginger tea.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water;
- 1 yerba mate tea bag;
- 3/4 inch (2 cm) of fresh ginger.
Instructions:
Combine water and ginger in a pot or tea kettle. Bring to a boil and let boil for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the tea bag, cover, and let steep for 5 minutes. Strain and then drink.
Side effects
Because it contains caffeine, drinking yerba mate daily can cause side effects like headache, cramps, nausea, insomnia, trouble sleeping, and increased blood pressure.
In addition, prolonged use of yerba mate has been associated with an increased risk for certain cancers, including esophageal and lung cancers. This association may be due to the presence of aromatic compounds, which are organic compounds produced during the roasting process and have the same effect as inhaling smoke from cigarettes or while grilling food.
Contraindications to use
Yerba mate should not be consumed by children or pregnant people. It should also be avoided in people with insomnia, nerves, anxiety, high blood pressure, gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), or stomach ulcers, due to its high caffeine content.
People who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as selegiline, moclobemide, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, nialamide, iproniazid, or tranylcypromine, should not take yerba mate.
People with diabetes should only take yerba mate if approved by a doctor, as yerba mate can lower blood sugar.
It is important to consult your doctor or primary care provider before starting any weight loss program and to discuss any possible contraindications you may have to drinking yerba mate.