Study of the Effects of Yerba Mate on Cardiometabolic Health

This is a randomized, crossover, control study in healthy and hypercholesterolemic free-living to assess the effect of yerba mate on different outcomes related to cardiovascular health. After a 2-week run-in period, participants will be randomly allocated to the first 8-weeks intervention with yerba mate or the control drink. After a 3-week wash-out, they will change to consume during 8 weeks the other drink. A nurse will collect a fasting blood sample at the beginning and end of each intervention stage. Blood pressure and anthropometric parameters will be measured. A 72-h dietary record will be completed by participants before each visit to the Human Nutrition Unit (HNU) at the Institute of Food Science, Technology and Nutrition (ICTAN-CSIC). During the study, participants will refrain from consuming coffee, cocoa, tea, and caffeine-containing drinks. Other foods rich in certain polyphenols (i.e. hydroxycinnamic acids) will also be restricted. Blood samples will be used to measure different biomarkers of relevance in cardiometabolic health, as listed in the Outcomes section.