Yerba mate contains several beneficial plant nutrients, including:

• Xanthines: These compounds act as stimulants. They include caffeine and theobromine, which are also found in tea, coffee, and chocolate.
• Caffeoyl derivatives: These compounds are the main health-promoting antioxidants in tea.
• Saponins: These bitter compounds have certain anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties.
• Polyphenols: This is a large group of antioxidants, linked to a reduced risk of many diseases.

It's interesting to note that yerba mate tea appears to have a somewhat higher antioxidant capacity than green tea. Additionally, yerba mate is said to include virtually all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs, as well as seven out of the nine necessary amino acids. The tea only has extremely modest levels of these nutrients, so it won't likely significantly improve your diet on its own.

Yerba mate has 85 mg of caffeine per cup, which is more than a cup of tea but less than coffee. So it could give you more energy and help you feel less fatigued, just like any other caffeinated meal or drink. The amounts of several signaling molecules in your brain can also be affected by caffeine, making it particularly advantageous for your ability to concentrate.

In several human investigations, subjects who took a single dosage of caffeine of 37.5–450 mg showed better alertness, short-term memory, and response time. Additionally, yerba mate users frequently gush about how it boosts alertness like coffee – without the jittery negative effects. These testimonies have not yet been validated by science, though.

Additionally, caffeine has been shown to enhance muscular contractions, lessen tiredness, and boost athletic performance by up to 5%. Those who use yerba mate might anticipate comparable physical performance advantages because it has a moderate level of caffeine. For instance, one research found that those who took a 1-gram capsule of pulverized yerba mate leaves before exercising burnt 24% more fat than those who did not.

When you use more fat as fuel during exercise, you save your carbohydrate reserves for when you need them most, like when you're sprinting to the finish line or cycling up a hill. This could result in improved athletic performance. It is still unknown how much yerba mate is ideal to consume before working out.

Yerba mate may aid in the prevention of bacterial, parasitic, and fungal illnesses. In a test-tube investigation, it was discovered that a high dose of yerba mate extract rendered E. coli, a bacterium that causes the stomach pains and diarrhea associated with food poisoning, inactive. Yerba mate's chemical constituents may also inhibit the development of Malassezia furfur, a fungus that causes dandruff, scaly skin, and specific types of skin rashes.

Last but not least, research points to chemicals in it that could offer some defense against intestinal parasites. However, the majority of these investigations used isolated cells. More study is required because it's unclear at this time if these advantages apply to people as well.

Yerba mate may decrease hunger and increase metabolism, according to animal research, which can aid in weight reduction. Both the overall number of fat cells and the amount of fat they can retain seem to diminish as a result. According to human studies, it may also increase the amount of fat that is stored and burnt for energy.

Furthermore, individuals who received 3 grams of yerba mate powder daily in a 12-week trial of overweight participants dropped an average of 1.5 pounds (0.7 kg). Additionally, they dropped 2% more abdominal fat as shown by a 2% decrease in their waist-to-hip ratio. In contrast, during the same 12-week period, individuals who received a placebo gained an average of 6.2 pounds (2.8 kg) and had a rise in their waist-to-hip ratio of 1%.

Saponins, which are organic substances having anti-inflammatory qualities, may be found in yerba mate. Additionally, it offers trace levels of zinc, selenium, vitamin C, and vitamin E. Your immune system can be boosted by these antioxidants, which can also improve health. The direct effects of yerba mate on the human immune system have not yet been studied, though.

Yerba mate may assist in reducing blood sugar levels and diabetic problems. In fact, current research on animals suggests that it could enhance insulin signaling. Additionally, it could lessen the production of AGEs, which have a role in the onset and progression of many illnesses. However, there is currently a shortage of studies on humans.