Bad Effects of Yerba Mate Tea

Yerba mate is a supplement used to prepare a popular South American tea. This tea is especially renowned in Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. It is celebrated for its supposed health benefits, which are attributed to its antioxidant properties. Yet, although yerba mate tea may contain antioxidant properties that are helpful in promoting good health in some aspects, the supplement contains negative properties as well, which may result in undesirable side effects.

Tension

• Yerba mate tea contains flavonoids as well as caffeoyl derivatives, which means that the tea contains antioxidants and caffeine. Whereas antioxidants have beneficial effects on the body, caffeine does not. One side effect of caffeine is muscle tension. According to the Yerba Mate Association of the Americas, a standard serving of yerba mate tea contains 40 mg of caffeine. However, most people consume more than the standard serving, which is only between 6 and 8 oz. This much caffeine contributes to muscle tension and discomfort, especially in people who are prone to caffeine side effects.

Appetite Suppressant

• Yerba mate tea is an appetite suppressant. Although this is considered a desired affect by many people wishing to lose weight, it can be a negative side effect to other people who are underweight or at a stable weight. Because this tea contains caffeine, which is a stimulant, it often causes you not to feel hungry, which will, consequently, cause you not to eat. This could lead to serious health problems over time, if the body is not getting enough nutrients or too much weight is lost.

Insomnia

• A large consumption of yerba mate tea could lead to insomnia, especially if it is consumed regularly on a daily basis. Drinkers of this tea may experience an inability to sleep at night, which can be attributed to the caffeine content in yerba mate tea. Insomnia can lead to tiredness, lack of energy and moodiness throughout the day. It can also lead to fatigue, which can become a medical condition and is unhealthy.

Upset Stomach

• Yerba mate tea may cause an upset stomach. When high quantities of caffeine are consumed, the result is often an upset stomach. This condition is worsened if the caffeine is consumed on an empty stomach and may even induce vomiting in certain individuals. The likelihood of this side effect is increased in pregnant women, who experience nausea already. Also, many people will ingest medicine when they develop an upset stomach, and taking too much medicine could be bad for health as well.

Misconceptions

• The negative side effects are yerba mate tea are few and mild. All of these side effects are because of the caffeine content of the tea, and many of these symptoms can be self-induced by consuming too much of the tea. The suggested daily consumption by Yerba Mate Association of the Americas is 2 or 3 cups of Yerba mate tea, containing only 3 or 4 grams of yerba mate infusion.