title: Anti-obesity effects of Yerba Mate (Ilex Paraguariensis): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity is a major health problem. A food field research that has recently aroused considerable interest is the potential of natural products to counteract obesity. Yerba Mate may be helpful in reducing body weight and fat. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of Yerba Mate supplementation in Korean subjects with obesity.
  
  
  METHODS
  A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Subjects with obesity (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 but < 35 kg/m(2) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) ≥ 0.90 for men and ≥ 0.85 for women) were given oral supplements of Yerba Mate capsules (n = 15) or placebos (n = 15) for 12 weeks. Subjects take three capsules per each meal, total three times in a day (3 g/day). Measured outcomes were efficacy (abdominal fat distribution, anthropometric parameters and blood lipid profiles) and safety (adverse events, laboratory test results and vital signs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  During 12 weeks of Yerba Mate supplementation, decreases in body fat mass (P = 0.036) and percent body fat (P = 0.030) compared to the placebo group were statistically significant. WHR was significantly decreased (P = 0.004) in the Yerba Mate group compared to the placebo group. No clinically significant changes in any safety parameters were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Yerba Mate supplementation decreased body fat mass, percent body fat and WHR. Yerba Mate was a potent anti-obesity reagent that did not produce significant adverse effects. These results suggested that Yerba Mate supplementation may be effective for treating obese individuals.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  ClinicalTrials.gov: (NCT01778257).
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medical Nutrition Therapy, Chonbuk National University Medical School, 567 Baekje-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, 561-756, Republic of Korea. sykim@jbctc.org.|Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods, Chonbuk National University Hospital, 20 Geonji-ro, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, 561-712, Republic of Korea. sykim@jbctc.org.
authors.forename: Sun-Young
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods, Chonbuk National University Hospital, 20 Geonji-ro, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, 561-712, Republic of Korea. mroh@jbctc.org.
authors.forename: Mi-Ra
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Clinical Trial Center, Chonbuk National University Hospital, 20 Geonji-ro, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, 561-712, Republic of Korea. mgkim@jbnu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Min-Gul
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, 567 Baekje-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, 561-756, Republic of Korea. hjchae@jbnu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Han-Jeoung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Chae
authors.affiliation: Departments of Medical Nutrition Therapy, Chonbuk National University Medical School, 567 Baekje-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, 561-756, Republic of Korea. soowan@jbnu.ac.kr.|Clinical Trial Center for Functional Foods, Chonbuk National University Hospital, 20 Geonji-ro, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, 561-712, Republic of Korea. soowan@jbnu.ac.kr.|Clinical Trial Center, Chonbuk National University Hospital, 20 Geonji-ro, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, 561-712, Republic of Korea. soowan@jbnu.ac.kr.|Department of Pharmacology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, 567 Baekje-daero, Deokjin-gu, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, 561-756, Republic of Korea. soowan@jbnu.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Soo-Wan
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Chae
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000187:drug effects; D000328:Adult; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D002214:Capsules; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D030019:Ilex paraguariensis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D010936:Plant Extracts