Roasted yerba mate and prolonged swimming: effects on body composition, muscle function, and glucose metabolism in obese mice

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v85.119989

Keywords:

exercise; , functional foods , Ilex paraguariensis, obesity, insulin resistance

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity is associated with impaired glucose homeostasis. Exercise is a primary non-pharmacological intervention, whereas the effects of roasted yerba mate combined with prolonged exercise remain poorly understood.

Objective: To investigate the isolated and combined effects of roasted yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) and prolonged swimming on body composition, muscle function, and glucose metabolism in obese mice.

Methodology: Forty male Swiss Webster mice received a cafeteria diet for 30 days and were randomly assigned to five groups: control, obese sedentary, obese sedentary with yerba mate, obese swimming, and obese swimming with yerba mate. Yerba mate infusion was administered for 30 days, and swimming was performed for 60 minutes daily, five days per week. Assessments included dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, the inverted grid test, and fasting glucose and insulin measurements.

Results: The swimming groups showed the lowest body weights, while body fat percentage did not differ among obese groups. Only the combined intervention differed from the obese sedentary group in fat-free mass, fasting glucose, and insulin, with values comparable to controls. All interventions reduced insulin resistance. No intervention improved inverted grid test performance.

Discussion: Reduced insulin resistance was consistent with previous rodent studies of yerba mate, despite the lower dose used. The absence of functional improvements may be related to the aerobic nature of swimming.

Conclusions: Roasted yerba mate combined with prolonged swimming was associated with a more favorable glycemic profile and lower insulin resistance in obese mice. Further studies should investigate muscle quality and the underlying mechanisms.

Author Biographies

  • Cláuffer Luiz Machado Silva, Ph.D. Student in the Graduate Program in Nursing and Biosciences (PPGENFBIO), Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO) (Brazil)

    Holds a Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from the Centro Universitário de Barra Mansa (UBM), a Specialist degree in Trauma-Orthopedics, a Master's degree in Public Health from the Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), and is a Ph.D. candidate in Biosciences at the Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO).

  • Vladimir Lopes de Souza, Professor at the Centro Universitário de Barra Mansa - Brazil

    Possui graduação em Fisioterapia pela Universidade Católica de Petrópolis (1999), Especialista em Educação na Saúde para Preceptores do SUS pelo Hospital Sírio Libanês(2014), Especialista em Fisioterapia Desportiva e Cardiovascular (2001), Mestre em Ciência da Motricidade Humana pela Universidade Castelo Branco (2006), Doutor em Ciências pela Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO)(2022)

  • Evandro Toledo Gerhardt Stutz, Professor at the Centro Universitário de Barra Mansa - Brazil

    Possui graduação em Medicina Veterinária, Especialista em morfofisiologia animal, Mestre em Ciências e doutorado em Biociências pela UNIRIO

  • Geraldo Ceni Coelho, Associate Professor at UFFS – Federal University of Southern Frontier

    He holds a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences (1989) and a Master's degree in Botany from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (1995); and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (2002).

  • Carlos Alberto Bastos de Maria, Graduate Program in Nursing and Biosciences (PPGENFBIO), Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO) (Brazil)

    Holds a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition (1987), a Master's degree in Biochemistry (1991), and a PhD in Biochemistry, all from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ).

  • Claudia Cardoso Netto, Graduate Program in Nursing and Biosciences (PPGENFBIO), Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO) (Brazil)

    She holds a Bachelor's degree in Nutrition from the Federal University of the State of Rio de Janeiro (UNIRIO), a Master's and a Ph.D. in Food, Nutrition, and Metabolism from the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), and a Postdoctorate in Women's Health from the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (FIOCRUZ)

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26-10-2026

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Vol. 84 (2026)

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Copyright (c) 2026 Cláuffer Luiz Machado Silva, Vladimir Lopes de Souza, Evandro Toledo Gerhardt Stutz, Geraldo Ceni Coelho, Carlos Alberto Bastos de Maria, Claudia Cardoso Netto

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How to Cite

Silva, C. L. M., de Souza, V. L., Stutz, E. T. G., Coelho, G. C., de Maria, C. A. B., & Netto, C. C. (2026). Roasted yerba mate and prolonged swimming: effects on body composition, muscle function, and glucose metabolism in obese mice. Retos, 84, 258-272. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v85.119989