Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 19, 2025
Estrogen-Like Effect of Bazi Bushen Capsule in Ovariectomized Rats
Published on: April 7, 2023
Positive Effect of Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Consumption on Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women
Lucas R Brun1,2, Muriel M Henríquez3, Luis A Ramírez Stieben1,4
1Bone Biology Laboratory, School of Medicine, Rosario National University, Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina.
Background:
Yerba mate (YM) drinking is associated with higher lumbar spine and femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) in postmenopausal women. We analyzed its effect on total hip BMD and reported the contribution of the trabecular and cortical components to this effect.
Methods:
A control group of 147 non-drinkers was compared to 153 YM drinkers. Left hip BMD was measured using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and three-dimensional (3D)-Shaper software was used to estimate integral volumetric BMD (vBMD), cortical surface BMD (sBMD), and trabecular vBMD through 3D modeling.
Results:
No significant difference was found between groups in either age (p=0.746) or body mass index (BMI; p=0.329). The YM group had significantly higher total hip BMD, integral vBMD, cortical sBMD, and trabecular BMD (all p<0.0001). The frequency of DXA-based osteoporosis diagnosis was lower in YM drinkers (3.3% vs. 10.9%; odds ratio [OR], 0.276). The rate of low-impact fractures was significantly reduced in YM drinkers (5.9% vs. 12.9%; OR, 2.197). Linear regression analyses revealed that cortical and trabecular parameters correlated positively with BMI and negatively with age in both groups. The slope of the lines did not differ between groups, but the elevation was uniformly higher in the YM group (p=0.0004 to p<0.0001).
Conclusions:
Our study provides novel insights into YM consumption and bone health in postmenopausal women. We confirm its positive association with BMD and demonstrate, for the first time, that both cortical and trabecular compartments contribute to this effect. Our findings also suggest a potential protective role of YM against osteoporosis and fragility fractures.
More Related Videos
07:20Author Spotlight: Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine with Modern Pharmacology and Genomics for Assessing Postmenopausal Osteoporosis in Mice
Published on: August 23, 2024
06:00Optimization of the Epimedii Folium Mutton-Oil Processing Technology and Testing Its Effect on Zebrafish Embryonic Development
Published on: March 17, 2023
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:31Essential Minerals for Bone Health
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
01:40Bone Remodeling
01:17Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling