What Is Unimate? The Science Behind Unicity's Yerba Maté Concentrate

By Fadi — Unicity Distributor & Metabolic Coach · Published 2026-06-19 · Updated 2026-06-19 · 9 min read

Quick answer: Unimate is Unicity's ultra-concentrated yerba maté drink. Clinical studies show it boosts natural GLP-1 by 2.5x, increases fullness by 59%, and supports...

Quick answer: Unimate is an ultra-concentrated yerba maté drink developed by Unicity International. It is taken in the morning during the fasting window of a 16:8 intermittent fasting protocol. Clinical studies show it boosts the body's natural GLP-1 production by more than 2.5 times, increases feelings of fullness by 59% within 15 minutes, and reduces caloric intake by 11% — making it one of the most scientifically substantiated appetite and metabolic supplements available without a prescription.

What Is Unimate Made From?

Unimate starts with yerba maté (Ilex paraguariensis), a plant native to South America that has been consumed for centuries for its energy-sustaining and appetite-suppressing properties. What makes Unimate unique is the proprietary purification and concentration process Unicity uses:

• 5x concentrated: Unimate contains approximately five times the active compounds of a standard yerba maté beverage
• Purified of tannins: Tannins cause the bitter taste and digestive discomfort of traditional maté; Unicity removes them
• Standardised chlorogenic acid content: The active compounds responsible for GLP-1 stimulation are preserved and concentrated

The result is a smooth, lightly flavoured drink (available in Lemon Ginger and Citrus Mint) that delivers the metabolic benefits of yerba maté without the bitterness, acidity, or caffeine spike of coffee.

Unimate Key Ingredients and What They Do

• Chlorogenic acids: The primary active compounds. Gut bacteria metabolise these into compounds that directly trigger L-cells in the intestinal wall to secrete GLP-1. Cell studies showed a 2.5x increase in GLP-1 secretion from this metabolite.
• Mate saponins: Triterpene compounds with anti-inflammatory and lipid-modulating properties. They contribute to Unimate's appetite-suppressing effect and may support liver health.
• Theobromine: A mild stimulant (also found in dark chocolate) that provides sustained energy without the jitteriness or crash of caffeine. This is why Unimate works well for people who are sensitive to coffee.
• Methylxanthines: Including low levels of caffeine and theophylline, which provide mild cognitive enhancement and metabolic activation.

What Does Unimate Do? The Clinical Evidence

1. Boosts Natural GLP-1 by 2.5x

GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) is the gut hormone that signals the brain to feel full, slows gastric emptying, and helps regulate insulin secretion. In cell studies, microbial metabolites of Unimate increased GLP-1 secretion by more than 2.5 times. Animal studies confirmed elevated GLP-1 gene expression and higher circulating GLP-1 levels after four weeks of daily use. GLP-1 is a hormone your body makes naturally, and Unimate is intended to support your body's own production of it.

2. Increases Fullness by 59% in 15 Minutes

In a human study of overnight-fasted adults, a single serving of Unimate increased feelings of fullness by 59% within 15 minutes of consumption. Participants also consumed 11% fewer calories at their next meal compared to placebo.

3. Supports Mental Clarity During Fasting

One of the most common reports from Unimate users is improved mental focus and cognitive clarity during the fasting window. The combination of theobromine, chlorogenic acids, and low-level methylxanthines supports sustained cognitive performance without the cortisol spike of coffee — important for people doing knowledge work in the morning.

4. Prevents Weight Gain (Preclinical)

A preclinical study showed that Unimate prevented weight gain, improved energy production in muscle tissue, and enhanced antioxidant levels in the liver compared to a control group.

5. Listed in the PDR

Unimate is listed in the Prescribers' Digital Reference (PDR), the same database used by US physicians to reference prescription medications. This is a significant credibility marker — very few nutritional supplements meet the documentation standards required for PDR listing.

How to Take Unimate

Unimate is designed to be taken as part of the Feel Great System's 16:8 intermittent fasting protocol:

• When: Morning, during the fasting window (before you break your fast)
• How: Mix one stick pack with 8–12 oz of water (hot or cold). It dissolves instantly.
• With what: Unimate can be taken alongside black coffee or tea if desired. It is not a meal replacement — it extends and supports the fasting state.
• Frequency: Daily. The GLP-1 upregulation effect builds over 4+ weeks of consistent use.

Can You Take Unimate Without Balance?

Yes. Unimate can be purchased on its own ($85/month member price in the USA). However, the full Feel Great System — Unimate + Unicity Balance — produces compound metabolic effects that are greater than either product alone. Unimate handles the fasting window (GLP-1, appetite, energy); Balance handles the eating window (glucose blunting, fibre, gut microbiome). Together they address insulin resistance from both ends of the metabolic cycle.

Unimate vs Coffee vs Other Maté Products

How to Order Unimate

Unimate is available through authorised Unicity distributors like Fadi. Order through this site for member pricing ($85/month USA, €79/month EU) with the BeWell code applied automatically. Coaching on how to use Unimate within the Feel Great protocol is included with every order.

Order the Unicity Feel Great System

Ready to start? Order the Unicity Feel Great System (Unimate + Balance) at member pricing through this site. Questions about the business side? Learn more about becoming a Unicity distributor — Fadi is here to guide you.

Not sure where to start? Take our free 2-minute quiz — get a personalised Feel Great recommendation based on your health goals.

Scientific Synergy of Viscous Fiber and Fasting

The metabolic benefits of combining viscous soluble fiber (like the Biosphere Fiber matrix in Unicity Balance) with intermittent fasting are documented in clinical research. Soluble fiber slows gastric emptying and carbohydrate digestion, which stretches the satiety signal GLP-1 and keeps post-meal glucose spikes low. When you transition into the fasting window, your baseline insulin levels are already lower, allowing your body to transition into fat-burning mode (ketosis) much faster. This synergetic relationship is why combining Unimate yerba mate in the morning with Balance before lunch and dinner yields superior weight management and metabolic health outcomes compared to calorie restriction alone.

The Complex Science of Insulin Signaling and Resistance

Insulin is a hormone produced by beta cells in the pancreas, vital for regulating carbohydrates and fat metabolism. When glucose enters the blood, insulin binds to receptors on cellular membranes, initiating a cascade of intracellular signals that recruit glucose transporter proteins (GLUT4) to the cell surface. This allows glucose to enter cells, lowering blood sugar. However, chronic overconsumption of carbohydrates causes constant, high insulin release. Over time, receptors become desensitized to insulin, a condition known as insulin resistance. The pancreas compensates by producing even more insulin to force glucose into cells. This state of hyperinsulinemia prevents lipolysis (fat breakdown) and encourages lipogenesis (fat storage), particularly visceral fat accumulation around organs, leading to cardiovascular risk, metabolic syndrome, and fatigue.

The Physical Action of Soluble Fiber and Gastric Gel Barriers

Soluble fiber matrices, such as the Biosphere fiber system, operate on physical and chemical principles in the gut. Upon hydration in the stomach, the fiber particles swell and form a thick, viscous gel. This gel slows down gastric emptying, delaying the transit of food into the duodenum. In the small intestine, the viscous gel acts as a physical barrier, trapping sugars and starch molecules. This slows down their exposure to digestive enzymes (like amylase) and delays their absorption across the intestinal microvilli. Consequently, glucose enters the bloodstream gradually over several hours, rather than in a sudden spike. This flat glucose curve prevents the subsequent crash in blood sugar, eliminating reactive hypoglycemia, reducing insulin demand, and helping maintain stable, long-lasting energy.

The Metabolic Pathway of Autophagy and Ketosis

During a 16-hour fast, the body transitions from an anabolic state (storing energy) to a catabolic state (mobilizing energy). As liver glycogen stores are depleted, insulin levels drop, and glucagon levels rise. This shift activates hormone-sensitive lipase, which breaks down triglycerides in adipose tissue into free fatty acids. These fatty acids are transported to the liver, where they undergo beta-oxidation to produce ketone bodies (acetoacetate and beta-hydroxybutyrate). Ketones cross the blood-brain barrier, providing an alternative fuel source that is more energy-efficient than glucose and produces fewer reactive oxygen species. Fasting also triggers autophagy, where cells degrade damaged mitochondria, misfolded proteins, and viral components. This cellular recycling promotes longevity, reduces inflammation, and restores metabolic health.

Chlorogenic Acids and Theobromine in Concentrated Yerba Mate

Concentrated Yerba Mate extracts, such as Unimate, contain a high concentration of bioactive phytochemicals that support metabolism and mental clarity. Chlorogenic acids are polyphenol antioxidants that inhibit glucose-6-phosphatase, an enzyme involved in hepatic glucose production, thereby helping regulate blood sugar levels. Theobromine, a methylxanthine also found in cacao, acts as a mild central nervous system stimulant and smooth muscle relaxant. Unlike caffeine, which can cause vasoconstriction and jittery energy crashes, theobromine promotes vasodilation and a sustained, calm focus. Additionally, saponins in Yerba Mate have anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties, supporting heart health and suppressing appetite during fasting windows.

Strategies for Achieving Metabolic Resilience and Flexibility

Metabolic flexibility is the body's capacity to adapt fuel oxidation to fuel availability, easily switching between burning carbohydrates and fats. In an unhealthy metabolic state, the body is locked into burning glucose, leading to frequent hunger and fatigue. To rebuild this flexibility, one must combine consistent fasting windows with targeted fiber supplementation. Taking a fiber matrix before meals slows digestion and insulin release, while morning fasting extends the fat-burning state. Regular physical activity, adequate sleep, and reducing refined sugar intake complement this protocol. Over weeks and months, cellular pathways adapt, insulin sensitivity improves, and energy levels stabilize, providing lasting resilience against modern chronic metabolic conditions.

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