Evidence supporting the use of: Mate
For the health condition: Athletic and Exercise Aids
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), commonly known as "mate," has been traditionally consumed in South America for its stimulating properties, but its use as an athletic and exercise aid is increasingly being examined in scientific studies. The evidence supporting mate’s role in enhancing athletic performance centers around its caffeine content and its effects on metabolism and perceived exertion.
Several studies have indicated that mate ingestion can increase fat oxidation during exercise, potentially sparing glycogen stores and improving endurance. For example, a randomized controlled trial published in the journal Nutrition & Metabolism (2014) found that mate supplementation increased fat utilization during submaximal exercise in healthy males. This effect is likely due to the combination of caffeine and other bioactive compounds such as saponins and polyphenols present in mate. Additionally, caffeine is well-known for its ergogenic (performance-enhancing) effects, including increased alertness, reduced perception of fatigue, and improved physical performance.
However, while some small-scale and acute studies support these effects, the overall body of evidence is modest, and more large-scale, long-term research is needed. The rating of 2 reflects that while there is preliminary scientific support and plausible mechanisms, mate is not as well-studied or as robustly supported as other established ergogenic aids, such as pure caffeine. Thus, mate may offer some benefits for athletic and exercise performance, but current evidence is limited and not definitive.
Other ingredients used for Athletic and Exercise Aids
7-Keto-DHEAAcetyl L-carnitine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Alpha D-ribofuranose
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
amino acids
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
bacillus subtilis
beet
beta-alanine
black tea
bovine
branched-chain amino acids
caffeine
capsaicinoids
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
curcumin
eleuthero
ginseng
green tea
guarana
guayusa
l-isoleucine
L-alanine
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-arginine
l-carnitine
L-citrulline
L-glutamine
L-glycine
L-leucine
L-ornithine
L-taurine
l-tyrosine
L-valine
maca
magnesium
maltodextrin
Muira puama
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
omega-3 fatty acids
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Peppermint
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
Rhodiola
black ginger
spirulina
Tongkat ali
tribulus
vitamin C
Watermelon
Whey protein
suma
jiaogulan
capsicum
bee pollen
cistanche
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
Yerba mate
Algae
cocoa
brown rice protein
sea salt
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione
arginine alpha ketoglutarate
antler
arginine creatine
Arginine nitrate
arachidonic acid
Arginine malate
Arginine aspartate
Alpha glyceryl
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
Agmatine
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
Arginine silicate
bicarbonate
Beef Protein
bovine protein
Bulbine natalensis
ba ji tian
BCAA
Camellia sinensis
coconut
casein
cardarine
capsinoids
citrate malate
capsiate
creatine
D-Aspartic Acid
dihydrocapsiate
deer velvet
D-Ribose
Ephedra
eurycomanone
elk antler
Eurycoma Longifolia
ecdysteroids
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
ecdysterone
ephedrine
Fadogia agrestis
guanidinoacetic acid
Ginsenosides
Glutamine
GMS-ribose
glucose
Glycocyamine
Guaranine
Glycerol
Higenamine
hydroxymethylbutyrate
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
horny goat weed
isomaltulose
Isoleucine
kola nut
ketone salts
lactalbumin
Laxogenin
macamides
maral root
Mineral ascorbate
Milk Protein
Methylxanthine
Methylliberine
Mate
Mushroom
macaenes
Nitrous Malate (TM) Diarginine Malate
Ornithine
Phosphocreatine
pyrroloquinoline quinone
paraxanthine
Phytoecdysteroid
pyruvate
Phosphatidic Acid
Piper nigrum
Palatinose
Peptides
Quinoa Protein
Rhaponticum
ribose
robusta coffee
Synephrine
Safed musli
salt
Sida cordifolia
Theobromine
Trichilia catigua
Turkesterone
Trichopus zeylanicus
Theacrine
Teacrine
Tribulus Terrestris
Valine alpha-hydroxyisocaproate
Xanthine
Yohimbine
Other health conditions supported by Mate
Athletic and Exercise AidsCancer (natural therapy for)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Diabetes
Digestion (poor)
Fatigue
Free Radical Damage
Inflammation
Memory and Brain Function
Pain (general remedies for)
Stress
Triglycerides (high)
Weight Loss