About Ilex paraguariensis leaf
South American caffeinated tea plant rich in caffeine and chlorogenic acids. One small 12-week RCT (n=30, 3 g/day) reported reduced body fat, and acute exercise studies show increased fat oxidation, but the weight-management evidence rests on few small trials. The reliable, well-understood component is its caffeine content.
What Ilex paraguariensis leaf supports
- Natural caffeine source; a small RCT suggests modest body-fat reduction
How much Ilex paraguariensis leaf to take
The RDA prevents deficiency. The effective range is what clinical trials used to actually move the outcome.
Effective
1000–3000
mg
A 12-week anti-obesity RCT used 3 g/day of capsules; caffeine content (~30-90 mg per gram) drives much of the acute effect.
Clinical evidence
Limited clinical evidence. One small weight RCT plus caffeine mechanism; thin overall.
NIH Fact Sheet