Anti-obesity effects of Yerba Mate (Ilex Paraguariensis): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Abstract

BackgroundObesity is a major health problem. A food field research that has recently aroused considerable interest is the potential of natural products to counteract obesity. Yerba Mate may be helpful in reducing body weight and fat. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Yerba Mate supplementation in Korean subjects with obesity.MethodsA randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Subjects with obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 but < 35 kg/m2 and waist-hip ratio (WHR) ≥ 0.90 for men and ≥ 0.85 for women) were given oral supplements of Yerba Mate capsules (n = 15) or placebos (n = 15) for 12 weeks. Subjects take three capsules per each meal, total three times in a day (3 g/day). Measured outcomes were efficacy (abdominal fat distribution, anthropometric parameters and blood lipid profiles) and safety (adverse events, laboratory test results and vital signs).ResultsDuring 12 weeks of Yerba Mate supplementation, decreases in body fat mass (P = 0.036) and percent body fat (P = 0.030) compared to the placebo group were statistically significant. WHR was significantly decreased (P = 0.004) in the Yerba Mate group compared to the placebo group. No clinically significant changes in any safety parameters were observed.ConclusionsYerba Mate supplementation decreased body fat mass, percent body fat and WHR. Yerba Mate was a potent anti-obesity reagent that did not produce significant adverse effects. These results suggested that Yerba Mate supplementation may be effective for treating obese individuals.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: (NCT01778257)Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12906-015-0859-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Effectiveness of herbal medicines for weight loss: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials

“…Ilex paraguariensis or yerba mate was investigated in three studies (n = 182) over 6 to 12 weeks, one as a single‐herb product and two in combination preparations . Daily dosage of I. paraguariensis was reported in two studies as 336 mg and 3150 mg. All studies were rated as having low risk of attrition bias but a high risk of other biases because of a lack of detail of the herbal medicine or discrepancies in reporting of results.…”

“…Both trials reported no differences between the intervention and placebo groups for adverse events. One trial additionally reported that blood cell count, markers of liver and kidney function, and vital signs remained within the normal range in both the intervention and placebo groups …”

Effects of in vitro digestion and in vitro colonic fermentation on stability and functional properties of yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St. Hil.) beverages

“…Yerba mate is used for improving the lipid profile and blood circulation (Kim, Oh, Kim, Chae, & Chae, 2015;Lima et al, 2014b). It is also used as diuretic and antirheumatic (Isolabella et al, 2010), as well as antioxidant .…”

Effect of the herbal medicines in obesity and metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of clinical trials

“…A significant decrease in hemoglobin A1c was seen by H. sabdariffa (Asgary et al, ), Citrus aurantium (Haller, Benowitz, & Jacob, ), Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Park et al, ), sea buckthorn (Lehtonen et al, ), bilberries (Lehtonen et al, ), Ilex paraguariensis (Kim, Oh, Kim, Chae, & Chae, ), a combination of P. vulgaris and C. siliqua (Birketvedt et al, ), and a combination of grape seeds and pine bark (LaRiccia, Farrar, Sammel, & Gallo, ).…”