Saturday, March 3, 2012

Health Benefits of Yerba Mate

The article below is from the Underground Reporter newsletter.


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Did You Know...


... that bioactive compounds in yerba mate tea have been shown to cause cancer cells in the colon and liver to die?


Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in the United States. One of the reasons colorectal cancer is so deadly is that it has no symptoms until the advanced stages—so it can be exceptionally difficult to diagnose.


However, when caught early enough, this cancer can be quite curable. Doctors recommend regular screening as a preventative measure, but what if you could simply kill any developing cancer cells from the comfort of your own kitchen?


According to a recent study conducted by scientists from the University of Illinois, one of the best possible ways to prevent colon cancer could be by drinking a cup of yerba mate tea.


What is Yerba Mate?


Yerba mate is made from the leaves of a tree (Ilex paraguariensis) native to South America. The people indigenous to that region have long been aware of yerba mate's medicinal applications. Now, researchers worldwide are beginning to investigate—and confirm—the tea's healing powers.


Stopping Colon Cancer at Its Cellular Source


The University of Illinois study is just one exciting example of scientific validation of yerba mate. Elvira de Meja, an associate professor of food chemistry and food toxicology at the University, headed the research team. For the study, de Meja and her colleagues isolated and purified caffeine derivatives—including caffeoylquinic acid, or CQA—of yerba mate tea.


The team then used those derivatives to treat colon cancer cells in vitro (in a laboratory vessel, such as a test tube). As the team increased the concentration of CQA, cancer cells began to die away as the result of a process known as apoptosis.


"Put simply, the cancer cell self-destructs because its DNA has been damaged," de Meja explains. She and her fellow scientists believe this ability of yerba mate to induce apoptosis and cancer cell death makes it a promising treatment option for all types of cancer.


The results of de Meja and her team's work were published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research in 2011. Considering the implications of those results, more inquiries into yerba mate's potential as an anti-cancer weapon are sure to be forthcoming.


Fighting Cancer by Reducing Inflammation


Not only do the caffeine derivatives from yerba mate kill cancer cells, but they also reduce cellular inflammation. Inflammation can trigger cancer's onset and progression. The tea's anti-inflammatory capabilities are one of the major reasons de Meja sees it as such a viable cancer-fighting agent.


Benefits Include Heart Health, Fat Loss, and More

In addition to fighting cancer, yerba mate's potent caffeine derivatives may be helpful in combating other disease associated with inflammation. And separate studies have also suggested a host of other benefits obtained from drinking yerba mate, showing that it ...


Reduces oxidative stress on the heart and liver
Protects DNA from damage
Kills liver cancer cells in humans
Improves the flow of blood
Lowers risk of heart disease
Reduces fat accumulation




90% More Antioxidants than Green Tea


Aside from the caffeine derivatives, yerba mate is rich in several important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Some blends of yerba mate have 90% more antioxidants than green tea. Some of the other significant compounds found in yerba mate include:


B vitamins
Vitamin C
Potassium
Zinc
Quercetin
Theobromine
Theophylline




A Beginner's Guide to Drinking Yerba Mate (Just One Cup Kills Cancer Cells!)


When prepared traditionally, it is brewed and served in a hollowed-out gourd. A metal straw with a filter on one tip is used to prevent drinkers from sucking up the leaves.


The tea is available in a more convenient, pre-bagged form at most health food stores. It can be found at some of the larger supermarkets as well.


The beverage's flavor is typically described as smoky... bitter... and woody, which may explain why many American consumers have had to acquire the taste.


If the first sip doesn't go down smoothly, just think of all the disease-fighting powers you're drinking in. When you remember that yerba mate's health benefits far outweigh the effort it takes to tolerate the taste, the medicine goes down more easily.


The University of Illinois study showed that the concentration of bioactive compounds contained in just one cup of yerba mate tea is sufficient to kill off colon cancer cells.


"We believe there's ample evidence to support drinking mate tea for its bioactive benefits," says de Meja.


Source: http://undergroundhealthreporter.com


Disclaimer: The statements regarding the nutritional and medicinal properties of the various foods have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These items are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your own physician for guidance regarding your health and nutrition.

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