Elżbieta Rząsa-Duran, Agata Kryczyk-Poprawa, Katarzyna Kała, Bożena Muszyńska

Yerba Mate as functional food in the prevention of civilization diseases
2024-08-26

Subject of study. Phenolic compounds of plant and fungal origin are the subject of increasing interest among scientists due to their health–promoting potential. These compounds are common in food raw materials and plant products, so they constitute an important element of the diet. Their role as antioxidants and their ability to reduce inflammation is crucial in preventing lifestyle–related diseases. Valuable sources of these compounds in the daily diet include tea, coffee and yerba mate.

The aim. The aim of the study was to characterize the species Ilex paraguariensis, whose leaves and twigs are commonly used to prepare the yerba mate beverage. Due to the unique content of phenolic compounds, Yerba mate has great potential to be classified as a functional food. The work describes the compounds responsible for the biological activity of the raw material and their bioavailability, and thus their potential health–promoting importance in the human body.

Material and methods. Scientific literature in Polish and English was analyzed using databases such as PubMed and Scopus. Additionally, guidelines and regulations of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the European Commission, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and monograph from the Polish Pharmacopoeia were used.

Results. In accordance with scientific findings, it has been shown that bioactive compounds determined in Ilex paraguariensis leaves have primarily anti–inflammatory, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, with potential applications in metabolic disorders, including body weight control and diabetes. Polyphenolic compounds present in Ilex paraguariensis undergo numerous modifications in the gastrointestinal tract under the influence of the intestinal microbiota, and this process is essential for their bioavailability. Further research is needed to determine the structures of the resulting metabolites of phenolic acids and their role in the human body.

Conclusions. Raw material obtained from Ilex paraguariensis can play a significant role in a balanced human diet. Moreover, the yerba mate beverage is a natural source of substances from the purine alkaloids group, which have a psychostimulating effect and improve concentration, making it an alternative to, e.g., caffeine drinks.

Keywords: Ilex paraguariensis, caffeine, phenolic compounds, chlorogenic acid, yerba mate.

© Farm Pol, 2024, 80(4): 279–288