Positive Effect of Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) Consumption on Bone Mineral Density in Postmenopausal Women Assessed by Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry-Based 3-Dimensional Modeling

Abstract

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.

Keywords: Bone and bones; Bone density; Ilex paraguariensis; Osteoporosis; Postmenopause.

Fig. 1

Linear regression of 3-dimensional dual energy X-ray absorptiometry parameters versus age. Mean values are shown by the continuous lines and 95% confidence interval by the dashed lines. Red lines correspond to the control group and green lines to yerba mate drinkers. (A) Cortical surface bone mineral density (sBMD) slope P=0.207, elevation P<0.0001. (B) Trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) slope P=0.931, elevation P<0.0001. (C) Integral vBMD slope P=0.628, elevation P<0.0001.

Fig. 2

Linear regression of 3-dimensional dual energy X-ray absorptiometry parameters versus body mass index (BMI). Mean values are shown by the continuous lines and 95% confidence interval by the dashed lines. Red lines correspond to the control group and green lines to yerba mate drinkers. (A) Cortical surface bone mineral density (sBMD) slope P=0.117, elevation P=0.0004. (B) Trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) slope P=0.130, elevation P<0.0001. (C) Integral vBMD slope P=0.125, elevation P<0.0001.