Just approved as a new food ingredient, could it be the next trending ingredient?
Recently, Paraguay holly leaves (Yerba Mate tea leaves) obtained approval from the National Health Commission and officially became a member of new food ingredients.
Paraguay holly belongs to the holly genus in the holly family. The well-known bitter tea also uses leaves from the holly genus in the holly family, so many people find the flavor of Yerba Mate tea similar to bitter tea.
Yerba Mate tea’s main export countries are Argentina and Brazil, with its largest overseas markets being Syria and Lebanon. Chile, France, and the United States are other major importing countries.
In addition to traditional Yerba Mate tea leaves, various Yerba Mate tea bottled beverages, foods, and cosmetics can now be purchased online.
In fact, during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, Yerba Mate tea caused a small craze in China, with many street drink chains launching related drinks.
Yerba Mate in South America
- In South America, Yerba Mate tea shops are as common as coffee shops in North America and Europe, and drinking Yerba Mate tea has deep cultural roots.
- In addition to being a beverage, Yerba Mate tea is also used as a supplement, diuretic, and to alleviate fatigue, suppress appetite, and treat various intestinal injuries and diseases.
- In Brazil, Yerba Mate tea is often used to improve digestive problems, kidney colic, neuralgia, depression, fatigue, and obesity.
The paste from Paraguay holly leaves is also used to improve skin sores (mainly due to its high tannin content).
Yerba Mate in Other Regions
Apart from South America, Yerba Mate has a long history of use worldwide.
- In Europe, it is used for weight management, relieving physical fatigue and depression, improving rheumatic pain, and headaches related to psychological and physical fatigue.
- In Germany, it has become a very popular weight loss product, with a dedicated book and approval for relieving mental and physical fatigue.
- In France, it is approved for use in nutritional supplements, weight loss aids, and as a diuretic. It is also mentioned in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia (1996) for relieving fatigue, reducing weight, and headaches.
- In the United States, Dr. James Balch suggests using Yerba Mate tea to treat arthritis, headaches, hemorrhoids, swelling, obesity, fatigue, stress, constipation, allergies, and hay fever, claiming it “purifies the blood, regulates the nervous system, slows aging, stimulates nerves, controls appetite, stimulates the production of cortisone, and is believed to enhance the therapeutic effects of other herbs.”
Yerba Mate is also cultivated in India, and the Indian Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia lists Yerba Mate as a drug for treating psychogenic headaches, nervous depression, fatigue, and rheumatic pain.
Yerba Mate Patent Situation
Yerba Mate has a long history of consumption abroad, so research on its various functions is relatively extensive. Below are some patent application situations abroad, providing a more intuitive view of its specific applications.
Weight Management
- Studies suggest that Yerba Mate may aid in weight loss by increasing the proportion of fat burned as energy. Various products, such as fat metabolism gummies and weight loss tablets, containing Yerba Mate extracts have been developed.
Antioxidant
- Yerba Mate has significant antioxidant activity due to its rich polyphenols, especially caffeine derivatives. It has been shown to inhibit lipid peroxidation, particularly low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation.
Energy Boost
- Yerba Mate contains caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline, which can accelerate metabolism and stimulate brain activity. Yerba Mate-based energy drinks have been developed as alternatives to other caffeine-containing stimulants.
Sleep Aid:
- Yerba Mate’s mild nature and calming effects have led to its use as a sleep aid. Some beverages containing Yerba Mate extracts are designed to relieve stress and promote sleep.
In addition to being a functional ingredient, there are reports of Yerba Mate ultrafine powder being used as a natural green pigment.
With so many beneficial properties, could Yerba Mate be the next trending ingredient? We’ll have to wait and see!
References
- Rain Tree – Yerba Mate
- Caffeine Informer – The Caffeine Database
- Ruxton CH S. The impact of caffeine on mood, cognitive function, performance, and hydration: a review of benefits and risks. The Author Journal compilation, British Nutrition Foundation Nutrition Bulletin 2008; 33: 15–25.
