Swiss researchers have determined that drinking chilled yerba mate tea, instead of hot tea, can help individuals lose weight. Yerba mate tea, which is similar to green tea, is a caffeinated and bitter-tasting drink that originates from South America. Earlier studies have already proven that yerba mate tea contains various nutrients that can boost immunity, improve cardiovascular health, and lower blood sugar.
For this study, researchers decided to examine if the body responds differently to the temperature of the drink.
Researchers from the University of Fribourg observed 23 healthy adults. The participants were asked to drink a 500-milliliter (mL) cup (or 17 fluid ounces [oz]) of unsweetened yerba mate tea.
The participants first drank the tea at three degrees C (37 degrees F). The next day, the volunteers were instructed to drink another cup at 55 degrees C (131 degrees F).
In both cases, the participants were monitored at least 30 minutes before they drank the tea and 90 minutes after. The researchers then measured the participants' cardiovascular responses, like blood flow and heart rate. They also took note of the volunteers' oxygen consumption and fat oxidation, or the process that burns stored fat and releases energy.
Data from the study showed that iced yerba mate tea produced over 50 percent more energy expenditure, or calorie burning, versus hot tea, or 8.3 percent compared to 3.7 percent. In a press release, the researchers explained that drinking cold tea encourages fat oxidation. It also helps lessen the metabolic load on the heart. (Related: The best metabolism-boosting foods to help you lose weight and KEEP it off.)
Further study monitoring the continued consumption of the cold yerba mate tea over a longer time period can help determine if the tea can be used to formulate an effective weight loss program.
Erin Palinski-Wade, a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes educator (CDE), shared that the findings aren't really surprising. Palinski-Wade, the author of "Belly Fat Diet for Dummies," commented that these findings are comparable to the studies that confirmed how drinking ice-cold water can help trigger an increase in metabolism.
She shared that before the body can digest fluid, the drink must reach body temperature. But doing so requires energy or calories, and the cold drink increases calorie burn as it gets warmed.
Palinski-Wade added that the increase in metabolism can help burn up stored energy. This then raises the demand for more energy stores to burn. Because the body stores fat as energy when metabolism increases, the need to metabolize fat for energy can also increase.
There's no need to worry about the change in temperature affecting the health benefits of yerba mate tea. Palinski-Wade concluded that the tea retains its beneficial antioxidant properties regardless if it is consumed hot or cold.
To effectively lose weight, consider drinking more cold yerba mate tea. The tea can help improve body composition, as long as it doesn't contain too much sugar when consumed.
Other superfoods promote weight loss
Aside from drinking cold yerba mate tea, eating these superfoods can also promote weight loss:
- Avocados -- Avocados contain oleic acid, a compound in the fruit's healthy monounsaturated fats (MUFAs) that can help quell hunger.
- Black beans -- One cup of black beans has 15 grams of satisfying protein without the saturated fat that comes with other protein sources such as red meat.
- Grapefruit -- Eat half a grapefruit before each meal to lose at least one pound weekly. The fruit contains a compound that can help lower insulin, a fat-storage hormone.
- Oats -- Full of fiber, oats can help a person feel full. Half a cup of oats has 4.6 grams of resistant starch, a healthy carb that boosts metabolism and helps burn fat.
- Pears -- A single pear contains 15 percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber.
- Salmon -- Salmon is a lean source of protein, without any added fat, that will make an individual feel full.
You can read more articles about the benefits of yerba mate and how it can help you lose weight at Slender.news.
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