Lionel Messi Credits Yerba Mate for Fat Burning and Performance Boost
Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, has significantly changed his diet in recent years to improve his health and performance. In a past interview with the Argentine program La Cornisa, Messi revealed that he used to consume unhealthy foods like chocolate, alfajores, and sugary sodas but now follows a balanced diet of fish, meat, vegetables, and salads. He occasionally drinks wine, which he says does not affect him negatively, and noted that his new diet helped eliminate previous issues like vomiting.
A key part of Messi's daily routine is drinking yerba mate, a traditional South American herbal beverage made from the leaves and stems of the Ilex paraguariensis plant. Yerba mate contains about 80-85 mg of caffeine per cup, comparable to a regular coffee and much higher than green or black tea. It has a distinctive grassy flavor and is popular as a morning drink.
Scientific studies highlight yerba mate's health benefits, including high levels of antioxidants such as polyphenols and chlorogenic acid, which help reduce free radical damage and inflammation. Regular consumption may improve blood lipid profiles by lowering LDL cholesterol and preventing its oxidation, which is linked to atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. Yerba mate also contains saponins with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, along with vitamins B and C, potassium, and magnesium.
One of yerba mate's notable advantages is its potential to enhance athletic performance. Clinical research shows that drinking yerba mate before exercise can increase fat burning by about 24% during light to moderate aerobic activity. This effect helps the body use fat stores for energy, sparing glycogen reserves in muscles, which may improve endurance in running, cycling, and other prolonged activities. Yerba mate also contains natural stimulants, caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline, that can boost alertness, reduce perceived exertion, and delay muscle lactic acid buildup.
Despite these benefits, yerba mate is not suitable for everyone. Due to its high caffeine content, pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals with anxiety, sleep disorders, digestive issues, or those on certain medications should consult a doctor before regular consumption. Children are also not recommended to drink yerba mate. For most healthy adults, moderate intake is considered safe, but caffeine consumption should be tailored to individual health conditions.
