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Effects of Yerba Mate Supplementation on Metabolic Health, Physical Function, and Cognition in Older Adults With Excess Adiposity
Sponsor: University of North Alabama
Summary
The purpose of this study was to find out whether taking yerba mate, a plant-based supplement, could improve health in adults aged 60 years or older with excess body fat. Researchers examined how the body uses fat during walking, blood cholesterol levels, body composition, strength, mobility, thinking skills, and well-being. They also explored changes in inflammation, gene activity, and gut bacteria. Participants took yerba mate capsules for six weeks and placebo capsules for six weeks, with a four-week break between the two periods. The placebo contained no yerba mate. The order was assigned by chance. Participants and the researchers conducting the tests did not know which capsules participants were taking during each period. Participants completed blood tests, body measurements, walking tests, strength and mobility tests, thinking tasks, and questionnaires. Researchers compared the results from the yerba mate and placebo periods.
Official title: Multisystem Effects of Yerba Mate Supplementation on Physiological, Cognitive, and Molecular Health in Overweight Older Adults
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
60 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
25
Start Date
2025-11-15
Completion Date
2026-06-16
Last Updated
2026-10-20
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Yerba Mate
Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) extract administered orally as six 500-mg capsules daily (3,000 mg/day) for 6 weeks. The extract had a 6:1 extraction ratio and was standardized to 37-40% chlorogenic acids and no more than 2% caffeine.
Placebo
Placebo administered orally as six capsules daily for 6 weeks, following the same dosing schedule as the yerba mate intervention.
Locations (1)
University of North Alabama
Florence, Alabama, United States