Experts say that the famous herbal tea, loved by South American stars like Lionel Messi and popular in Syria and Lebanon, may have an effect on weight loss1. .
It is believed that Mate tea, or "Yerba Mate," which has an earthy aroma and a strong bitter taste, is loaded with antioxidants and contains as much caffeine as coffee.
Supporters and enthusiasts of "Mate" argue that it has supernatural effects on weight loss, with sellers boasting that it has a dual effect that makes you feel full faster and speeds up your metabolism to burn fat.
For their part, experts say there may be some truth to these claims.
Perhaps what fuels its claims as a "superpower" is that "Mate" has seemingly become the "best friend of the footballer," as the Argentine Tourism Board puts it.
It can be said that the Argentine football star Lionel Messi has become something of an ambassador for the drink, often posting pictures of himself with the gourd dedicated to this drink, which is consumed using a "bombilla" or the metal straw that accompanies the vessel for the prepared drink.
Messi is not the only one who drinks Mate; there are his compatriots Ángel Di María and Sergio Agüero, as well as Uruguayan stars like Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani, and European players like Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba.
What is Mate?
Mate is a hot stimulant drink that originated in South America, where it is popular in the southern part of the continent.
Mate is widespread in both Syria and Lebanon after being brought back by returning immigrants.
It comes from a Spanish word used in Paraguay to describe a gourd or a nut, which is the cup from which it is drunk.
"Mate" is also known as "Paraguayan tea," and from here one can understand why Suárez and Cavani love it.
Brewing Mate is common in homes throughout Uruguay, Paraguay, and parts of Brazil, Bolivia, and southern Chile.
It has spread across Europe, influenced by football players coming from South America.
A secret weapon for football or for weight loss?
Given its widespread popularity among South American and subsequently European football players, is "Mate" truly the football player's "secret weapon"?
Mate drink is full of caffeine and provides an energy boost similar to coffee, but unlike the latter, proponents of this drink usually say they do not feel the same "crash" after drinking Mate.
In addition to getting an energy boost, replacing your morning cup of coffee with a cup of Mate may also help shed some weight.
Researchers in Brazil said in 2019 that the green drink has "anti-obesity" properties.
Meanwhile, a 2015 South Korean study found that overweight people who took "Yerba Mate" capsules every day could lose up to 0.7 kilograms.
Other studies have revealed similar benefits; for example, a 2018 study in Norway involving 11 male cyclists found that it increases the amount of fat burned during exercise.
Mate or Caffeine?
However, although it is packed with antioxidants and other stimulants, the weight loss effects could also be due to the caffeine, according to nutritionist Dr. Duane Mellor of Aston University.
"There is a published study that looked at fat metabolism associated with exercise using healthy-weight young men. They were given a placebo or a Mate drink (1000 mg) that contained about 1.5% caffeine," said Mellor.
He added: "It is known that caffeine supports fat metabolism during exercise, and it is not clear whether it is the tea or the caffeine added to the capsule that has the effect."
It is noteworthy that caffeine does this by raising adrenaline levels, which promotes the breakdown of fatty tissue.
"Mate" is also rich in polyphenols, which are powerful compounds found in fruits and vegetables that some studies suggest boost metabolism.
"There are many claims associated with the natural caffeine and antioxidants also found in regular tea and coffee. The problem with claims regarding antioxidants is that our bodies often absorb them poorly, so the effects seen in the lab cannot be replicated in the same way in our bodies," said Mellor.
He continued: "A healthy diet and exercise will do almost all the work in helping someone lose weight. It might be something a person believes will help, but the actual effect will be minimal."
He concluded by saying, "The important thing is to focus on the overall healthy balance of your diet and exercise."
