ANTI OBESITY EFFECTS OF YERBA MATE (ILEX

PARAGUARENSIS); A RANDOMIZED DOUBLE

BLIND PLACEBO CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL

ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to determine if Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguarensis) was safe and effective
for the treatment of obesity. Obesity has grown to be a global epidemic in industrialized nations.
The associated health concerns at impact on quality of life have driven those in the food and
pharmaceutical industries to identify functional foods and other natural products with biological
activity to assist in the prevention and treatment of obesity and the physiological effects associated
with. A food field research revealed the potential of Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguarensis) as a potential
candidate for use in treatment of obesity. Based on these findings the researchers conducted a
randomized double controlled clinical trial with 30 obese persons of Korean ethnicity. BMI and
WHR were used to confirm obese status. Participants were given three capsules three times a day
with a meal (3g/d). for a twelve week period. They measured abdominal fat, anthropometric
parameters in addition to laboratory tests for CBC blood lipid profiles in addition to kidney and
liver screenings at 0, 6 and 12 weeks (3-months) for safety. The Yerba Mate group experienced
decreases in percent body fat mass, percent body fat, WHR, and no significant changes in safety
parameters were noted. The researchers determined that Yerba Mate is a potent anti-obesity agent
that could be a beneficial supplement in clinical treatment of obesity.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Yerba Mate- herb of mating
Scientific Name Ilex paraguensis Holly of Paraguay AKA- mate, brazil tea, green gold of the Indios, Jesuits
tea, South American Holly etc
Part Used- Leaf
Active Components-beta carotene, vitamin B, vitamin C, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, K, quercitin, Si, S, xanthine
derivative, caffeine, citronate, theobromine, theophylline, neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, eugenol
gerniol and tannins
Physiological Effects- alterative, antibacterial, antioxidant, antiscorbutic, antispasmodic, aperient,
aphrodisiac, astringent, cardio tonic, depurative, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, immune stimulant,
purgative, rejuvenative, stimulant, stomachic, sudforic, thermogenic, tonic
Energetics- bitter, cool, dry, yang, and fire
Historical and Cultural Usage- Used by over one million people worldwide. Use amongst indigenous and
urban populations in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay and other places it grows have used it for thousands
of years. Some sources report an ability to assist the body adapt to humid conditions possibly trough
supplying essential micronutrients and antioxidant compounds. Was also used to make washes and
compresses for wounds, which could be attributed to the tannin and saponin content.

PURPOSE
To determine the safety and efficacy of the
natural product/functional food Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis)

HYPOTHESIS
Based on historical evidence, folk usage and
current research it was hypothesized that
Yerba Mate will reduce weight significantly
more than a placebo

METHODS
Study Length:

12 Weeks

Types of Study:

Researchers Conducted a Randomized Double Blind Placebo

Control Trial
Computer generated randomization

Blinding:

Neither investigators or subjects knew randomization code or

results of blood parameters until after statistical analysis was
conducted.

Screening:

1st visit patients screened for vital signs. BMI, 5 Body fat and % Body Fat mass
measured with Inbody 3,0, WHR, CBC lipid profiles C/T scan and at 0 , 6 and 12
weeks Inclusion exclusion screening: Patients accepted if BMI >25
and 35<, WHR >90 for men and >80 for women, and Excluded if they had
significant variation in weight (>10%) in past 3 months, history of cardiovascular
disease, any gastrointestinal diseases, previous surgeries especially GI, renal or
liver diseases or abnormalities

Treatment:

3g/D Yerba Mate with regular diet no other functional foods

Analysis

Statistical analysis was done wit SAS program; Diet analysis with CAN-pro 3.0

DATA COLLECTION METHODS

All laboratory tests and anthropometric data collected at the Medical
Nutrition Therapy Department at Chonbuk National University
Medical School in Peoples Republic of Korea by trained
professional hospital staff and medical students.

RESULTS
12 week trial with Yerba Mate revealed that Yerba Mate
reduced WHR significantly, % body fat and body fat
mass were reduced significantly as well.
No significant changes in safety parameters as assessed
by liver and kidney screenings

YERBA MATE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITIES

Inhibits weight gain and prevents fat accumulation
Chlorogenic acids- have anti-obesity effects by blocking transcription of genetic
factors associated with obesity in human and animal models

Decreased adipocyte sixe

Decreased adipocyte lipid accumulation

Decreases differentiation of pre-adipocytes

Saponins and Quercetin inhibit iNOS and COX-2 via the NF--B pathway
Antioxidant- Anti-mutagenic Anti Diabetic
Caffeine- increases thermogenesis for up to 4 hours

DATA- ABDOMINAL FAT AREA OF TREATMENT VS PLACEBO

AT 0 AND 12 WEEKS
Yerba Mate

Placebo

Week 0

Week 12 P-Value

Week 0

Week 6

Week 12

Visceral Fat
(VF) (cm ^3)

110.68+387.5

100.1 +338.4

947.0 +246.8

947.0 +353.7

0.181

Subcutaneous
fat (SCF)
(cm^3)

3123.5 +736.2

3101.2
0.259
+- 590.4

2984.0 +1040.7

3103.3 +- 0.899
1282.3

VCF/SCF Ratio

0.4 +- 0.1

0.3 +0.1

0,3 +- 0,1

0.3 +- 0.2 0.175

0.145

0.140

DATA- LIPID PROFILE CHANGES TREATMENT VS. PLACEBO

AT 0, 6 AND 12 WEEKS
Yerba Mate- n=15

Placebo n=15

P-Value

Week 0

Week 6

Week
12

P-Value

Week 0

Week 6

Week
12

P-Value

TC
mg/dL

193.6
+- 24.8

197.9 +33.2

204.4
+- 36

0.384

176.7 +28.8

172.3 +33.9

174.0 +28.4

0.977

0.722

HDL C
mg/dL

45.4 +7.7

48.0 +10.3

48.2 +10.1

0.424

52.3 +12.0

50.4 +8.3

48.0 +8.3

0.369

0.223

LDL C
mg/dL

120.9
+- 27.5

117.8 +28.8

121.7
+- 34.6

0.755

101.7 +25.6

97.2 +27.5

96.7 +30.8

0.944

0.852

TG
mg/dL

141.5 +79.9

130.6
+- 96.3

154.2
+- 96.6

0.325

123.1
+- 65.8

107.2 +52.8

127.5 +95.1

0.548

0.969

FFA
Eq/L

516.6 +163.6

412.2 +128.8

443.5
+169.7

0.234

541.5 +337.3

541.5 +225.6

575.3
+220.1

0.286

0.224

TC- total cholestero

HDL-C- High density lipoprotein- cholesterol
LDL-C
TG Triglycerides
FFA- Free fatty Acids

DATA- ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASURES TREATMENT VS.

CONTROL
Yerba Mate- n=15
Week 0

Week 6

Week
12

Ht. cm

160.9
+- 7.0

160.6
+- 7.1

160.6
+- 7.1

Wt. kg

74.5 +9.8

73.5 +9.2

73.8 +9.0

WC

92.9 +6.2

90.8 +4.9

HC

100.1 +4.4

WHR

Placebo n=15
P-Value

P-Value

Week 0

Week 6

Week
12

P-Value

158.4
+- 7.6

158.5
+- 8.2

159.3
+- 8.0

0.742

68.6 +9.9

70.8 +10.1

71.4 +9.5

0.472

0.387

91.3 +5.1

0.170

90.1 +7.3

91.1 +7.8

91.9 +8.0

0.529

0.113

100.2
+- 4.0

100.9
+- 4.4

0.086

97.8 +5.0

98.5 +5.1

99.0 +5.3

0.971

0.478

0.93 +0.005

0.91 +0.004

0.91 +0.004

0.003

0.92 +0.04

0.92 +0.04

0.93 +0.04

0.511

0.005

AC

33.4 +2.4

33.0 +2.3

33.0 +2,0

0.394

31.8 +2.4

32.3 +3.2

32.5 +2.6

0.869

0.489

TC

53.8

53.5 +4.5

53.5 +4.5

0.900

51.2 +3.8

52.0 +3.9

52.3 +3.9

0.535

0.495

0-6 P=
0.004

0-12 P=
0.002

CONCLUSION
Yerba Mate supplementation decreased body fat mass,
% body fat and WHR. Based on these findings the
researchers determined Yerba Mate to be a potent
anti obesity agent.
Based on results of this trial and many others Yerba
Mate may be an effective treatment for obese
individuals.

FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Conduct larger study
Extend study duration
Determine effects of long term and over consumption
Determine the most effective dose
Screen for adverse food drug interactions
Screen for potential synergistic food and or drug interactions
Develop sustainable agriculture practices and fair trading
agreements for local farmers and prevent over farming to meet
market demands.
Protect intellectual property rights of indigenous peoples whose land
and knowledge this is taken from

REFERENCES
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Ribeiro, ML. (2007) Yerba mate: pharmacological properties, research and
biotechnology Medicinal and Aromatic Plant Sciences and Biotechnology

2. Gambero, A., Riberio ML., (2015) The positive effects of yerba mate (Ilex
paraguariensis) in obesity Nutrients 7 730-750
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Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis); a randomized double blind, placebo controlled
trial BMC Complimentary and Alternative Medicine 15:338 1-9

4. Mars, B. (2007) The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine pp. 350-351 Basic Health
Publications Laguna Beach CA.
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lipopolysaccharide-induced macrophages through NFB pathways J. Agric. Food
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