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We often hear about the benefits of mate, but a little less about its side effects.
And if you are here, it means you must be wondering what the contraindications are regarding its consumption.
And rightly so! Who doesn't care about what they put in their body?
Important: This article is written by the team La Bombilla and does not in any way serve as medical advice. It only reports known research and experiences regarding mate. In case of pathology, specific cases, or any doubt, it is advisable to consult a health expert.
Mate contains caffeine (a little less than coffee), the main cause of its side effects.
Consumed in excess, yerba mate infusion can therefore have the same side effects as coffee or any other caffeinated beverage (energy drink, tea, soda...).
We are talking here about the following side effects:
Due to its stimulating effect, mate can sometimes cause insomnia or difficulties falling asleep.
This varies greatly from one person to another, depending on each individual's sensitivity to caffeine.
If you have been drinking mate for a long time, you probably don't have this problem because:
But if you've just started drinking mate, here are 2 simple recommendations:
Then, if you wish, you can drink more and/or later as you go.
It's all a matter of moderation. As long as you don't double your mate consumption overnight, you shouldn't have any surprises!
Consumed in excessive amounts, mate can cause undesirable effects such as headaches, nervousness, or even anxiety.
If you have these side effects when drinking coffee, there is a chance you will experience them with mate.
On the other hand, if you regularly drink caffeinated beverages and do not experience these side effects, there is little chance you will have them when drinking mate.
Currently, there are no studies on the subject, but some people experience a form of irritation in the stomach after drinking too much mate.
As energizing as coffee (if not more), mate has the advantage of causing fewer side effects.
Where coffee stimulates with "spikes of excitement" followed by the famous "crash", mate provides energy in a more diffuse manner, without a "letdown".
This difference is due to the theobromine content of mate. This is what makes mate an excellent alternative to coffee.
It's a molecule primarily found in cocoa (and thus in chocolate), and it's to it that we owe the famous following quote:
Mate = danger? A link has been made by several studies between throat and esophageal cancer and mate consumption.
These studies should still be taken with a grain of salt. Indeed, mate consumption is very high in Argentina and Uruguay, without there being higher cancer rates than elsewhere. For the sake of transparency, we still wanted to mention it here.
Here are the 2 reasons that have been identified during this research:
In a few words
In detail
During the production of mate, the leaves are dried twice.
In the traditional drying process (used by the vast majority of producers: out of nearly 400 brands that exist in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, only 3 do not use this method), the mate leaves are exposed to smoke.
And this exposure to smoke causes the formation of certain molecules: polycyclic hydrocarbons (or PAHs).
These molecules can be the source of health risks, particularly certain cancers.
However, there is now a drying process for mate without contact with smoke. It helps avoid the formation of PAHs but is still little used for cost reasons.
In a few words
Although the results of this research are not unanimous, we have decided to take them into account in the design of our range of yerba mate.
In order to ensure the best quality of mate, we have selected a producer using a drying process where the mate leaves are never in contact with smoke.
Specifically, our entire range of mate (6 different flavors/varieties) is not exposed to smoke during its production.
We suggest as much as possible to avoid using water that is too hot - and recommend an ideal temperature between 70°C and 80°C.
You can find this information on our page explaining how to prepare mate, in tips that we send by email, as well as in the explanatory guide that we include in each order.
We advise you to limit your consumption of mate if you identify with any of the following cases:
As a precaution, it is also not advisable for children and pregnant women (or those breastfeeding) to consume mate.
For your information, the maximum recommended amount of caffeine by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) is 400mg for a healthy adult, and 200mg per day for pregnant women, young people, and those with heart conditions.
No study recommends an "ideal amount of mate," but it is reasonable to say that a consumption of 3 to 4 mates per day is more than acceptable.
In any case, many Argentinians and Uruguayans drink 1.5L or 2L of mate per day! So, you surely have a bit of leeway...
It is absolutely not recommended to consume mate (or any other caffeinated product) alongside the intake of substances containing ephedra.
Moreover, the undesirable effects of caffeine can be amplified by the consumption of alcohol, female hormones, or contraceptive pills.
Ultimately, mate can cause undesirable effects when consumed in excess, just like pretty much anything! As long as it is consumed in moderation, this drink proves to be a true source of benefits.
