Study of the Effects of Yerba Mate on Cardiometabolic Health

The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if consuming a beverage prepared with yerba mate leaves helps to improve blood lipid levels in persons at high cardiovascular risk. It will also learn about the effects of this beverage, widely consumed in South America, on other cardiometabolic biomarkers like blood glucose levels, inflammation, or weight control. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does daily consumption of a yerba mate tea reduce the blood lipid levels in hypercholesterolemic persons? May healthy persons also benefit from the consumption of yerba mate tea? Researchers will compare yerba mate to a control drink (isotonic drink or water, free of polyphenols and caffeine) to see if yerba mate tea helps to reduce blood cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic persons. Participants will: Drink 3 cups of yerba mate tea or an isotonic drink every day for 2 months, then change to the other drink during another 2 months. Visit the clinic at the beginning and end of each 2-month period for checkups and tests Refraing from consuming coffee and some foods during the study. Complete a dietary questionnaire during 3 days before each visit to the clinic.