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This herb is the same used in the preparation of chimarrão, which is widely consumed in the southern region of the country.
That’s why it is so important to have a specialist evaluation so that the treatment or common ingestion is done safely. It may even be difficult for many people to believe that mate tea is bad for your health . But, that’s the truth!
Also known as yerba mate and congonha, the plant is common in subtropical regions. It is the raw material for the production of chimarrão and tererê , drinks that are widely consumed in the South and Midwest regions of Brazil.
Mate tea can be bad for your health
For patients who have health problems, whether chronic or degenerative, the ingestion of mate tea is not recommended, especially when not submitted to medical evaluation.
This is due to a substance that is present in large amounts in the herb: caffeine . From this information it is good to make clear that mate tea is contraindicated for patients with hypertension, heart problems, diabetes, glaucoma, osteoporosis, irritable bowel syndrome and gastric burning .
In these cases, the ingestion of mate tea can interfere with the stability of diseases, precisely because of the presence of caffeine. In many cases, the patient can feel sick and even end up in the hospital.
In cases where bleeding disorders are identified, the caffeine present in mate tea slows down the blood clotting process. Patients who experience frequent headaches or migraines should also stay away from drinking.
Nicotine and alcohol addicts should stay away from mate tea, as it can increase the risk of developing cancer.
Anxiety- related disorders , such as agitation, nervousness during the day and lack of sleep at night , can be intensified by the consumption of mate tea. In that case, the substance can intensify them.
The use of medication is a factor that should also be observed when what is at stake is the consumption of mate tea. In some cases, it can cut its effect or intensify it, bringing more serious consequences to the body.
Mate tea and women
In the list of contraindications for mate tea, women need to take certain precautions, especially if they are menstruating, pregnant or breastfeeding their young children.
As in the cases mentioned above, the presence of caffeine can be an aggravating factor. Among menstruating women , cramps may be intensified .
In relation to pregnant women, the consumption of mate tea can cause abortion, especially in the first months of pregnancy. Towards the end of the pregnancy, the danger lies in inducing preterm birth.
During breastfeeding, mate tea is also not indicated, precisely because it causes problems that can affect the health of babies. One of them is the dependence on caffeine that can be present in breast milk.
The other condition is the possibility of developing certain types of cancer, precisely because of the fragility of the baby’s body, which is still in the process of formation.
In the case of young children, the consumption of mate tea is not viable either. The justification for this comes from the same fact as babies. In addition to hindering the absorption of some nutrients, it can trigger illness.
Mate tea: too much caffeine
So far, it has already been noticed that the main villain that makes mate tea a drink not recommended for many patients is the presence of caffeine. For the cases mentioned, the clinical nutritionist Patrícia Carvalho de Jesus gives some more guidelines.
“When caffeine is consumed in excess of normal amounts for your body, you can become a little irritable, overly agitated and anxious. About the ideal amount of consumption, this will depend on the biochemical individuality of each one”, says Patrícia.
Other points that should be noted are: the frequency and amount of mate tea ingested, as advised and by the nutritionist. “When caffeine consumption is part of a cycle, it generates toxicity for the body. In this way, the individual does not rest. This results in an increase in the production of cortisol, which is the stress hormone and more adrenaline, leaving the body in a state of alert”.
It is worth remembering that all that has been said so far are consequences that may appear in the medium and long term. Regarding people who are more sensitive to caffeine, the symptoms can be intensified.
See also: Drinking more mate tea can be even more beneficial
“ Caffeine inhibits, or hinders the absorption of important nutrients , such as iron. Many people who end up consuming caffeine in large meals, where iron consumption is higher, such as lunch and dinner, have a tendency to anemia”, informs the nutritionist.
It costs nothing remember that, any other doubt that may arise, especially when related to specific conditions of your body, the doctor should be consulted.