Mate Tea (Ilex paraguariensis) Improves Glycemic and Lipid Profiles of Type 2 Diabetes and Pre-Diabetes Individuals: A Pilot Study

• Published in: Journal of the American College of Nutrition 2011-10, Vol.30 (5), p.320-332
• Main Authors: Klein, Graziela A, Stefanuto, Aliny, Boaventura, Brunna C.B, de Morais, Elayne C, Cavalcante, Luciana da S, de Andrade, Fernanda, Wazlawik, Elisabeth, Di Pietro, Patrícia F, Maraschin, Marcelo, da Silva, Edson L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Glucose - analysis; Blood Glucose - drug effects; diabetes mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 - drug therapy; dietary counseling; Dietary Fats - administration & dosage; Feeding. Feeding behavior; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Glycation End Products, Advanced - blood; glycemic control; Glycemic Index; Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents - therapeutic use; Ilex; Ilex paraguariensis; Ilex paraguariensis - chemistry; lipid profile; Lipids - blood; Male; mate tea; Middle Aged; Pilot Projects; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Prediabetic State - blood; Prediabetic State - drug therapy; Single-Blind Method; Triglycerides - blood; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
• ISSN: 0731-5724; 1541-1087
• DOI: 10.1080/07315724.2011.10719975

Objectives: Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) infusions have been shown to reduce plasma glucose in animals and serum lipids in humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of roasted mate tea consumption, with or without dietary counseling, on the glycemic and lipid profiles of individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) or pre-diabetes. Methods: Twenty-nine T2DM and 29 pre-diabetes subjects were divided into 3 groups: mate tea, dietary intervention, and mate tea and dietary intervention. Individuals drank 330 mL of roasted mate tea 3 times a day and/or received nutritional counseling over 60 days. Blood samples were collected and food intake was assessed at baseline and after 20, 40, and 60 days of treatments. Results: Mate tea consumption decreased significantly the levels of fasting glucose (25.0 mg/dL), glycated hemoglobin A 1c (HbA 1c ) (0.85%), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) (13.5 mg/dL) of T2DM subjects (p < 0.05); however, it did not change the intake of total energy, protein, carbohydrate, cholesterol, and fiber. In pre-diabetes individuals, mate tea consumption combined with nutritional counseling diminished significantly the levels of LDL-c (11 mg/dL), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) (21.5 mg/dL), and triglycerides (53.0 mg/dL) (p < 0.05). Individuals of this group decreased significantly their consumption of total fat (14%), cholesterol (28%), and saturated (23.8%) and monounsaturated (28.0%) fatty acids, and increased their fiber intake by 35% (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Mate tea consumption improved the glycemic control and lipid profile of T2DM subjects, and mate tea consumption combined with nutritional intervention was highly effective in decreasing serum lipid parameters of pre-diabetes individuals, which may reduce their risk of developing coronary disease.