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Yerba Mate

aka Ilex paraguariensis

South American caffeine-containing tea with saponin and chlorogenic acid content.

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Overview

South American caffeine-containing tea with saponin and chlorogenic acid content.

Natural sources
  • Ilex paraguariensis
Common forms
  • Loose leaf
  • Tea bags

Forms & variants of Yerba Mate

Different chemical forms of Yerba Mate behave differently. Browse each form's mechanism, bioavailability, and best-use context.

Mechanism of action

Caffeine + theobromine + chlorogenic acids; mild lipolytic effects.

Pathways
  • · Adenosine antagonism
  • · Lipolysis

Effects on the body

Increases
Energy expenditure
Decreases
Appetite

Organ system effects

Liver

Chlorogenic acids hepatoprotective.

Evidence-based benefits

Mild weight loss

Limited evidence

Potential side effects

Common
  • · Caffeine effects
Rare
    Serious
    • · Possible esophageal cancer risk with very hot drinking (>65°C)

    Drug interactions

    MAOIs
    Tyramine.
    moderate

    Safety & non-supplemental interactions

    Educational summary — always confirm with your clinician or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or combining with prescription therapy.

    Avoid if you are
    • ·Pregnant or breastfeeding (insufficient safety data)
    • ·Children under 18 (unless directed by a clinician)

    Supplement interactions

    Pairs well with
    • A high-quality multivitamin
      Covers micronutrient cofactors that support most supplement pathways.
    • Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
      Foundational anti-inflammatory support that complements most regimens.
    Avoid combining with

    No specific avoidances listed.

    Dosing & bioavailability

    Typical dose
    1–2 g leaf brewed
    Best form
    Most evidence is based on the loose leaf form.
    Timing
    Consistent daily timing recommended; split larger doses if GI tolerance is a concern.
    With food?
    Either with or without food.

    Where to buy

    Affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon code supplementsch-20 is auto-applied at checkout. We don't endorse specific brands; verify third-party testing (USP, NSF, Informed Sport) before purchase.

    Scientific evidence8Show studies
    Systematic reviewJ Food Sci · 2007

    Yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis) and metabolic health

    Heck CI, de Mejia EG

    Review of yerba mate's bioactives and health effects.

    Key findings

    Improvements in lipid profile and modest weight loss.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Yerba Mate — Mild weight loss

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Yerba Mate Mild weight loss" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Yerba Mate and "Mild weight loss". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Yerba Mate — randomized controlled trial

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Yerba Mate randomized controlled trial" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Yerba Mate and "randomized controlled trial". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Yerba Mate — meta-analysis

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Yerba Mate meta-analysis" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Yerba Mate and "meta-analysis". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Yerba Mate — pharmacokinetics

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Yerba Mate pharmacokinetics" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Yerba Mate and "pharmacokinetics". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Yerba Mate — safety adverse events

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Yerba Mate safety adverse events" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Yerba Mate and "safety adverse events". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewPubMed (NLM) · 1970

    PubMed: Yerba Mate — dose response

    Live PubMed search

    Live results for "Yerba Mate dose response" across the PubMed/MEDLINE peer-reviewed index.

    Key findings

    Opens current human and preclinical literature matching Yerba Mate and "dose response". Filter by RCT, meta-analysis, or year on the results page.

    Open study
    Systematic reviewGoogle Scholar · 1970

    Google Scholar: Yerba Mate — clinical evidence

    Live Scholar search

    Cross-database citation index for Yerba Mate as it relates to "clinical evidence".

    Key findings

    Includes preprints, theses, and journal articles. Useful for tracking citation counts and follow-on work.

    Open study
    Educational use only. This profile is not medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any supplement, especially if you take prescription medication or have a chronic condition.

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