A journalist seeking alternatives to pharmaceutical weight management solutions recently documented her experience with a traditional beverage gaining popularity among health-conscious consumers and celebrities alike.
Yerba mate, a plant-based drink with deep cultural roots in South America, has attracted attention for potentially offering similar metabolic benefits to prescription medications—but at a fraction of the cost. While injectable semaglutide medications approved for diabetes management in 2017 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have become sought-after weight loss aids, their off-label use has prompted interest in natural alternatives.
Several high-profile personalities including Jason Momoa, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Tom Hardy have reportedly incorporated yerba mate into their wellness routines. The beverage’s accessibility—widely available at major U.S. retailers for approximately $3—adds to its appeal compared to prescription options.
Ishita Srivastava, a health journalist for the Daily Mail, documented her personal three-week experiment with the herbal infusion. “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,” she explained in her first-person account.
She noted the beverage’s distinct flavor profile: “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.”
Beginning her trial at 132 pounds (60 kilograms), Srivastava reported noticeable physiological changes within the first week, though not necessarily those she had anticipated. “While my weight had not significantly dropped, my body looked and felt less bloated and my digestive system was much more regular,” she wrote.
Perhaps most surprising was an unexpected effect on her appetite patterns. “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,” the journalist observed. “I began feeling hungrier and started having an earlier dinner.”
While many consumers focus on yerba mate’s potential metabolic benefits, health experts caution that the beverage isn’t without potential concerns. According to MedicalNewsToday, consuming large quantities may increase cancer risk due to the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the drink. Additionally, its natural caffeine content could elevate heart rate and blood pressure when consumed excessively.
The growing interest in natural alternatives to pharmaceutical weight management solutions highlights consumers’ ongoing search for accessible options in the increasingly complex landscape of metabolic health approaches.