A traditional South American drink consumed for centuries, maté is made by steeping dried leaves from the maté plant in hot water. Containing 85mg of caffeine per cup, less than coffee but more than tea, maté may increase energy levels and make you feel less tired.
In moderate amounts, drinking maté has been linked to potential health benefits like protecting the cardiovascular system, reducing LDL "bad" cholesterol, and providing anti-inflammatory effects. However, drinking very hot maté may increase cancer risk, especially of the mouth, throat, and esophagus.
Additional research is still needed to confirm maté’s other potential benefits, like positive effects on weight loss, heart health, inflammation, and cancer risk. As with any plant, consuming too much maté can also cause negative side effects in some people. Moderation is key.
Maté is a plant native to South America. Its leaves are used to make a bitter drink called maté. Maté has been consumed in South America for centuries. It contains caffeine and antioxidants. Some research shows maté may help metabolize fat and fight obesity. However, other studies link maté to increased risk of esophageal cancer, especially when consumed hot by smokers and heavy drinkers. The cancer risk may be because maté contains PAHs, chemicals that are known carcinogens. PAHs are also found in tobacco smoke and grilled meat. More research is needed to clarify maté’s impact on cancer risk.
Maté is a type of tea made from the leaves of the maté plant native to South America. It’s often consumed through a special straw called a bombilla. Tummy troubles? Due to its high choleretic effect, drinking maté regularly can help soothe an upset stomach and other digestion problems such as constipation and diarrhea.
For some people suffering from hypertension, heart disease, or heart arrhythmias, caffeinated drinks like maté may cause complications such as increased blood pressure.
If you still want to drink maté but want to lower your risk of health problems, you can always opt for organic unsmoked brands. Unsmoked brands are usually air-dried instead which may significantly reduce the PAH content as no smoke is introduced to the leaves.
Although some research has shown that maté may have anticarcinogenic properties similar to green tea, other research has shown a potential link between maté and cancers of the throat and mouth, especially when consumed at high temperatures.
Drinking large amounts of maté (1-2 liters daily) for a long time increases the risk of some types of cancer. More investigation needs to be done into the safety and side effects of maté.
Maté is known to contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) which are carcinogenic. Although some research has shown maté to have anticarcinogenic properties similar to green tea, other research has shown a potential link between maté and cancers of the throat and mouth, especially when consumed at high temperatures.
What studies have found to be the main cause of cancer regarding maté is the temperature it’s consumed at, not the maté itself. Considering South Americans drink 1-3 liters of maté daily at these temperatures, it’s reasonable to see why esophageal cancer is a major health problem there.
Many are surprised to learn how much caffeine maté actually contains.
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Maté is considered possibly unsafe in pregnancy and breastfeeding as over 300 mg caffeine daily increases miscarriage and preterm labor risks. It’s not known if components enter breast milk.
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Similar to coffee, maté is considered a drug due to containing caffeine which can be addictive and have side effects, but it does not cause hallucinations. There are concerns about addiction if consumed regularly but these risks are no worse than drinking tea or caffeine.