D2R & Mate: The benefits of Yerba Mate: How it helps to prevent deceases.
GOT MATE?
The mate tea has powerful compounds that have been used for therapeutic purposes since ancient times by the Guarani people, indigenous natives of South America But the healing power of mate is not just an ancient myth. The virtues of drinking mate have been proven many times throughout history, as well as its effectiveness in controlling certain diseases.
For example, some research from the NIH claims that drinking mate mea regularly can prevent and even reverse Type 2 diabetes. This study, carried out in diabetic and pre-diabetic patients, showed that the yerba mate infusion helps control lipids and blood sugar; and when combined with a proper diet, yerba mate is highly effective in reducing “bad” cholesterol and triglyceride levels in pre-diabetic patients; reducing the risk of developing coronary heart disease as well.
By preventing the accumulation of bad cholesterol and triglycerides in the arteries, yerba mate also reduces the risk of arteriosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases, while also increasing HDL cholesterol, known as “good cholesterol”, lowering the risk of heart diseases. Polyphenols in Yerba Mate also protect myocardial tissue and prevent cell death caused by blood flow restriction.
An experimental study developed by the University of Buenos Aires and published in the prestigious Movement Disorders journal; has shown that yerba mate could extend the life of neurons affected by Parkinson’s disease. According to the study, some compounds in Yerba mate such as theobromine and chlorogenic acid have better neuroprotective properties than caffeine and nicotine, suggesting that yerba mate could contain the key not only to prevent Parkinson’s disease, but even to develop treatments in the future. Read more about how yerba mate could prevent Parkinson’s disease.
Although the habit of drinking mate is not enough to prevent osteoporosis, it does have a protective effect on bones and helps maintain bone density, according to a study by the University of Rosario. This has been extensively studied in patients at risk of losing bone density rapidly, such as menopausal women.
By preventing oxygen from damaging red blood cells (a process known as oxidative stress), drinking 1 liter of mate tea per day can also prevent diseases that result from this process, such as Alzheimer’s disease. Also, the University of Illinois discovered that caffeoylquinic acid and its derivatives extracted from yerba mate not only induce the death of colon cancer cells; they also reduce the inflammation that triggers this type of cancer.
Mate and how it helps to regulate Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure
Yerba Mate regulates cholesterol and helps improve blood pressure
Many studies have shown that yerba mate, if consumed daily, improves cardiovascular health by reducing cholesterol levels between 15% and 18%, which can prevent diseases such as arteriosclerosis. It also has a slight hypotensive and vasodilating effect that may be beneficial for people with high blood pressure. This is because Yerba Mate boosts the activity of cardio-protective enzymes called saponins, which contribute to the body’s ability to lower LDL cholesterol (also known as “bad cholesterol”) much faster than usual. In turn, saponins increase HDL cholesterol, known as “good cholesterol”, preventing cardiovascular diseases.
The body needs cholesterol to form healthy cells. But when too much cholesterol circulates in the blood, this becomes oxidized and builds up into fatty deposits that clog the arteries, increasing the risk of certain diseases such as arteriosclerosis and other cardiovascular conditions. The antioxidant power of polyphenols as well as the action of vitamin C, magnesium and manganese contained in yerba mate, reduce cholesterol oxidation and prevent its accumulation in the arteries, acting as a hypotensive vasodilator agent and contributing to cardiovascular health.
Therefore, in addition to a healthy diet and exercise; including yerba mate in your daily life is an excellent natural way to lower your levels of bad cholesterol.