As someone who has trouble mustering up the energy to work out and would rather pizza than salad for lunch, when I discovered there was a cheap energy drink that could help me lose weight without changing my lifestyle, I had to try it.
Yerba mate, a traditional South American herbal tea that oozes of an earthy smell and packs a bitter aftertaste, has long been known for its caffeine properties that can make you feel more alert and focused within just a few sips.
But this low-calorie drink can also actively boost metabolism and enhance fat burning in the body - making your weight loss goals much more achievable.
Stars like Jason Momoa, Gwyneth Paltrow, Tom Hardy and Shakira have all been spotted drinking a cup of freshly made Yerba mate - commonly sold as a $3 energy drink in popular stores such as Target and Whole Foods.
However, instead of buying cans every day, I decided to buy a $10 tin of Yerba mate tea leaves to brew it in hot water at home.
For 21 days, I brewed myself a cup of three grams of leaves using a tea infuser and I didn't add milk or sweeteners.
While the tea seemed bitter at first (albeit a bit less than regular green tea), I intended to drink it every single day for three weeks to see whether I would lose any weight.
Before I started by Yerba mate journey, I weighed 132lbs (60 kgs) and was excited to see how many pounds I could drop by doing nothing more than adding a cup of tea to my daily routine.
I decided to buy a $10 tin of Yerba mate tea leaves from Harney & Sons on April 1 to see if I could lose any weight
Being a tea-lover, I found it easy to adapt to the tea's unique taste quickly and found it soothing to drink during New York's rainy April.
However, three days in, I realized it would be best to boil the leaves in water on the stovetop to truly reap its benefits, rather than let it infuse in my otherwise cold tea.
After one week of drinking a cup of fresh Yerba mate tea after work, I had started to notice minor changes.
While my weight had not significantly dropped, my body looked and felt less bloated and my digestive system was much more regular.
But what really stood out was my increased appetite, which may have been a sign my metabolism, which breaks down food in the body to create energy, was ramping up and my body was burning fat.
I began feeling hungrier and started having an earlier dinner.
Experts say the beverage is known to boost energy and mental focus, aid digestion and support metabolism.
It's also been found to be rich in polyphenols — powerful compounds in fruit and vegetables that, some studies suggest, boost metabolism.
A faster metabolism means the body burns calories at a quicker rate, which leads to increased weight loss as it results in a greater calorie deficit.
When the body burns more calories than it consumes, it begins to utilize stored fat for energy, leading to weight reduction.
A fast metabolism also means a person needs to take in more calories to maintain their weight, therefore making it easier to lose weight if you choose to consume fewer calories and follow a calorie-deficit diet.
Pictured: The tea leaves inside the Harney and Sons container
I started by making the tea using an infuser. However, three days in, I realized it would be best to boil the leaves in water on the stovetop to truly reap its benefits, rather than let it infuse in my otherwise cold tea (pictured L-R: infusion cup, stovetop cup)
Gwyneth Paltrow has been previously spotted drinking a cup of freshly made Yerba mate
According to Examine, an encyclopedia on supplements and nutrition, the leaves are also high in xanthines, known for burning high levels of stored fats and generating heat in the body.
Xanthines can stimulate lipolysis (the process of breaking down stored fat for energy) and potentially prevent the formation of new fat cells.
This allows the body to convert stored fat into fatty acids for energy and lose weight.
I also noticed more pep in my step as my after-lunch slump at work nearly vanished and I was able to get through the day on just one cup of coffee.
By the end of Week two, the slightly bitter taste became routine for me and my digestion had significantly improved - a problem I have suffered with for most of my adult life.
By the end of two weeks, my weight had fallen to 130lbs (59kgs) despite me making no major changes to my diet or exercise routine.
During my third week, there was an even more noticeable change in my energy and I was more productive at work.
The extra boost could be due to the caffeine content each sip of the tea packs. At 80 milligrams of caffeine per cup, Yerba mate contains about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of coffee.
According to dietitian Dr Duane Mellor, of Aston University, in Birmingham, UK, the weight loss effects of mate could also be due to its caffeine content because caffeine raises levels of adrenaline, which promotes the breakdown of fatty tissue.
A freshly brewed cup of Yerba Mate tea
Apart from being available in tea version for about $10, Yerba mate is also available as an energy drink at Target and other corner shops at the low price of $3
Experts suggest the tea may reduce cholesterol and heart inflammation, improve lung capacity, as well as increase bone density.
But evidence also suggests consuming more than a liter, or four to eight cups, per day can be dangerous for your health.
Too much caffeine can lead to a caffeine overdose. The tea can also cause dehydration and gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea and stomach cramps.
At the end of my three week-experiment, I found that Yerba mate helped my digestion and decreased my bloating - making me feel fitter and slimmer than I normally would.
It also helped me lose at least 2lbs without changing my diet or doing any additional exercises.
While I was pleasantly surprised by my results, the tea itself is not a long-term solution to lose weight. However, for those looking for a shortcut to speed up their weight loss process, the tea may prove beneficial.
English (US) ·