Yerba Mate: please Debunk or Bunk for me

Human Clay · Wed, March 9th, 2005, 05:05 PM

My aunt has lost something like 75 pounds this year (starting from the high 200s), and in addition to being part of Weight Watchers and going to Curves, swears by Yerba Mate for weight loss.

Personally, while I think antioxidants and vitamins and all that stuff is good for the body, and an optimally fed body is going to function better overall, I don't put any faith in substances that claim to directly help burn fat. I put faith in eating properly, calories in vs. calories out, and busting my ass in the weight room like the good girl that I am.

Unfortunately, my mother is swayed by my aunt's weight loss (which I attribute to significant time for loss + fewer calories + exercise, despite her belonging to Curves... and having virtually nothing to do with drinking tea that smells like feet). I'm worried that my mom will put too much faith in this herb, rather than cleaning up her diet and buckling down to exercise more (both areas need major improvement).

What can you tell me about Yerba Mate? Pros? Cons?

btimby · Wed, March 9th, 2005, 05:25 PM

I don't know anything about Yerba Mate specifically. However, your instincts seem to lead you in the right direction. I too am wary of any product that claims to help with fat loss. I don't use any, and I have had great results without them. I would urge you to convince you mother to make changes other than using YM. Perhaps if she has Intarweb access, you could point her to this site!

Human Clay · Wed, March 9th, 2005, 05:39 PM

Luckily, I already found one strike against it for her: the caffeine content.

One package I read today said it contained a less harsh form of caffeine that's easier on the nervous system, or some such rubbish. There are other forms of caffeine? The stuff still keeps you awake and causes your body to lose water, and I know the body needs the water to carry out functions. If one is bloated, then changing the diet to prevent excess water retention is the best way to go, I think. Otherwise depending on a diuretic to get rid of it while still ingesting extra sodium and carbs is going to be quite dehydrating.

She's not supposed to have caffeine for some medical reasons, anyhow.