Chapter 4
Bioactive Features of Yerba Mate
Infusions: Alkaloids, Phenolics,
and Other Stimulating Compounds
Abstract This chapter concerns the correct interpretation of many claimed safety
properties ascribed to Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate) from the safety viewpoint,
on the basis of the chemical composition of different yerba mate products. The daily
intake of active principles is important enough, and the qualitative identification of
these molecules is critical, taking into account that yerba mate is consumed as hot
and the cold infusions (generally named mate, chimarrão, and tererê). The chemical
profile of these infusions comprehends polyphenols, xanthines (purine alkaloids),
saponins (natural glycosides), minerals and trace elements, and also vitamins. The
main health properties ascribed to yerba mate may be correlated to these categories
and main representative active principles, with the exclusion of vitamins which can
be found in a plethora of non-I. paraguariensis vegetables.
Keywords Anti-inflammatory · Antioxidant · Caffeine · Chlorogenic acid · Ilex
paraguariensis · Manganese · Yerba mate
Abbreviations
Boron
B
Cobalt
Co
Copper
Cu
Iodine
I
Iron
Fe
Manganese
Mn
Molybdenum
Mo
Reactive oxygen species ROS
Zinc
Zn
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
C. Iommi, Chemistry and Safety of South American Yerba Mate Teas,
Chemistry of Foods, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69614-6_4
49
Bioactive Features of Yerba Mate
Infusions: Alkaloids, Phenolics,
and Other Stimulating Compounds
Abstract This chapter concerns the correct interpretation of many claimed safety
properties ascribed to Ilex paraguariensis (yerba mate) from the safety viewpoint,
on the basis of the chemical composition of different yerba mate products. The daily
intake of active principles is important enough, and the qualitative identification of
these molecules is critical, taking into account that yerba mate is consumed as hot
and the cold infusions (generally named mate, chimarrão, and tererê). The chemical
profile of these infusions comprehends polyphenols, xanthines (purine alkaloids),
saponins (natural glycosides), minerals and trace elements, and also vitamins. The
main health properties ascribed to yerba mate may be correlated to these categories
and main representative active principles, with the exclusion of vitamins which can
be found in a plethora of non-I. paraguariensis vegetables.
Keywords Anti-inflammatory · Antioxidant · Caffeine · Chlorogenic acid · Ilex
paraguariensis · Manganese · Yerba mate
Abbreviations
Boron
B
Cobalt
Co
Copper
Cu
Iodine
I
Iron
Fe
Manganese
Mn
Molybdenum
Mo
Reactive oxygen species ROS
Zinc
Zn
© The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021
C. Iommi, Chemistry and Safety of South American Yerba Mate Teas,
Chemistry of Foods, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-69614-6_4
49