A popular drink is being reported to be an affordable alternative to Ozempic for weight-loss.
Yerba mate, an herbal tea traditionally found in South America, is a low-calorie drink that produces caffeine properties to make the drinker more alert and focused, while also actively boosting metabolism and enhancing fat utilization, helping achieve weight loss goals, the Daily Mail reports. The herbal tea has been popular among several celebrities with the likes of actors Jason Momoa and Tom Hardy, actress Gwyneth Paltrow and international pop superstar Shakira all having been commonly spotted with a cup in public.
A 2015 study conducted in South Korea found that overweight people who took oral Yerba mate supplements lost about one-third of their weight during a three-month span, according to the Daily Mail. Yerba mate is available for purchase as an energy drink at several major stores including Target and Whole Foods, for just $3, while a tea version can be purchased for around $10, far less than an Ozempic injection, which is reported to cost around $1,000 to $1,2000 or more without insurance.
Experts also claim that Yerba mate can potentially reduce cholesterol and heart inflammation, as well as improve lung capacity and increase bone density, according to the Daily Mail. Ozempic first hit the market in December 2017 and has since become one of the top 130 most commonly prescribed medications in the United States for patients with diabetes, though many without diabetes have used it as a meal suppressant for weight loss.