We will look at these properties, as well as cell, animal, and epidemiological studies to date.
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What Is Yerba Mate Tea?
Yerba mate is a tea made of dried leaves from the plantIlex paraguariensis.
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Consumed predominantly in South America in the past, it is now widely available in the United States.
In addition to a beverage, it is sold as a supplement in pharmacies and health food stores.
The tea goes by many different names including Cimmaron, St. Bartholomews’s tea, and more.
This evaluation of very hot beverages includes drinking of very hot mate.
Some components may actually be good or bad depending on the individual person.
For example, mate contains phytonutrients such as polyphenols that act as free radical scavengers.
Of course, since this experiment was done on rodents, it doesn’t necessarily translate to humans.
Potentially Dangerous Components
Yerba mate tea also contains potentially dangerous components.
One of these, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of over 100 compounds.
The researchers recommended further studies to determine if PAHs in Yerba mate are of concern or not.
Since it would be unethical to actually test a substance on humans directly, researchers look at population studies.
When they looked at concentrations of these substances at normal dietary concentrations, however, no effect was seen.
The extract of yerba mate appeared to reduce the heart damage resulting from lack of oxygen and then reperfusion.
Esophageal Cancer
Several studies have looked at the possible association between drinking yerba mate and the incidence ofesophageal cancer.
Heavy drinkers of mate were also more likely to develop cancer than light drinkers of the tea.
No increase in bladder cancer was seen in lifelong nonsmokers, even those who consumed large amounts of mate.
The particular bang out of yerba mate may also be important.
The increase in risk was seen in those who consumed the strainmate con bombillabut notmate cocido.
Mate may increase bladder cancer risk in people who smoke or smoked in the past.
Side Effects
Yerba mate contains caffeine which can have a stimulant effect.
Keep up to date on the latest research on the tea as well as new findings that may emerge.
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2018;53(1):37-51. doi:10.1007/s00535-017-1375-5
