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
1,3,7-Trimethylpurine-2,6-dione7-Keto-DHEA
Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetyl-L-Tyrosine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Agmatine
Algae
Algal protein
Alpha D-ribofuranose
Alpha glyceryl
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
amino acids
antler
arachidonic acid
arginine alpha ketoglutarate
Arginine aspartate
arginine creatine
Arginine malate
Arginine nitrate
Arginine silicate
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
ba ji tian
bacillus subtilis
BCAA
bee pollen
Beef Protein
beet
beta-alanine
bicarbonate
black ginger
black tea
bovine
bovine protein
branched-chain amino acids
brown rice protein
Bulbine natalensis
caffeine
Camellia sinensis
capsaicinoids
capsiate
capsicum
capsinoids
cardarine
casein
cistanche
citrate malate
cocoa
coconut
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
collagen
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
creatine
creatine monohydrate
curcumin
D-Aspartic Acid
D-Ribose
deer velvet
dihydrocapsiate
ecdysteroids
ecdysterone
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
eleuthero
elk antler
Ephedra
ephedrine
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
Eurycoma Longifolia
eurycomanone
Fadogia agrestis
ginseng
Ginsenosides
glucose
Glutamine
Glycerol
Glycocyamine
GMS-ribose
green tea
guanidinoacetic acid
guarana
Guaranine
guayusa
Higenamine
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
horny goat weed
hydroxymethylbutyrate
Isoleucine
isomaltulose
jiaogulan
ketone salts
kola nut
L-alanine
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-arginine
l-carnitine
L-citrulline
L-glutamine
L-glycine
l-isoleucine
L-leucine
L-ornithine
L-taurine
l-tyrosine
L-valine
lactalbumin
Laxogenin
maca
macaenes
macamides
magnesium
maral root
Mate
Methylliberine
Methylxanthine
Milk Protein
Mineral ascorbate
Muira puama
Mushroom
Nitrous Malate (TM) Diarginine Malate
omega-3 fatty acids
Ornithine
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Palatinose
paraxanthine
Peppermint
Peptides
Phosphatidic Acid
Phosphocreatine
Phytoecdysteroid
Piper nigrum
protein
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
pyrroloquinoline quinone
pyruvate
Quinoa Protein
Rhaponticum
Rhodiola
ribose
robusta coffee
Safed musli
salt
sea salt
Sida cordifolia
spirulina
suma
Synephrine
Teacrine
Theacrine
Theobromine
Tongkat ali
tribulus
Tribulus Terrestris
Trichilia catigua
Trichopus zeylanicus
Turkesterone
Valine alpha-hydroxyisocaproate
vitamin C
Watermelon
Whey protein
Xanthine
Yerba mate
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
