Yerba mate is the dried leaves of Paraguayan holly, then ground and used to make an infusion popularly consumed in South American countries.
Yerba mate contains caffeine in various concentrations depending on the species and preparation method, and is a source of polyphenols with antioxidant properties.
Action: diuretic, lowering cholesterol, protecting the liver, stimulating the central nervous system, protecting the circulatory system, lowering appetite, accelerating the metabolism.
Risk: In many studies performed in populations where the consumption of large amounts of yerba mate is culturally justified, a statistical relationship has been shown between the consumption of yerba mate and the incidence of certain cancers, in particular cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder. In these studies, exposure to tobacco smoke and alcohol were established risk factors for these and many other cancers. Other studies have shown a significant relationship between the consumption of yerba mate (in amounts that are commonly consumed in South American countries) and the dose of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons supplied to the body, which is proven to be carcinogenic (a dose comparable to that delivered to the body by smoking a pack of cigarettes).