|  | Diet Nutrition | Nutritional Supplements

Side Effects of Yerba Mate on Joints

Yerba mate (pronounced yerba mah-tay) is a tea with a slightly grassy taste. It has widely been enjoyed in South America, where drinkers share it in special gourds. Enthusiasts say the benefits of this drink range from weight loss and cancer fighting properties to curing bad breath. So it's not surprising that those who extol the virtues of this tea also say it has a positive effect on the joints as well. But before you go reaching for a traditional mate gourd, you should be aware that the tea is known to have side effects as well.

  1. Caffene

    • Some marketers of yerba mate have claimed that the drink has less caffeine than coffee or tea. Some have even claimed that the beverage has a stimulant alternative to caffeine called mateine. However, these are misleading claims. A cup of yerba mate actually has more caffeine in it than a cup of coffee. And while marketers claim that the various herbs and compounds in yerba mate are beneficial for sufferers of rheumatoid arthritis, scientific studies have shown that caffeine has a harmful effect on joints and can exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis.

    Withdrawal

    • As with all caffeine-related drinks, over time you can develop dependence on caffeine. Sudden withdrawal from caffeine causes symptoms that can include joint pain. Withdrawal-induced joint pain may last up to five days.

    High Blood Pressure

    • The stimulant effects of yerba mate can exacerbate high blood pressure. This is a concern due to recent studies linking high blood pressure to gout, a disease that causes painful arthritic attacks in the joints.

    Diuretic

    • Yerba mate has some diuretic properties, meaning it can be used as a water pill to increase urination and decrease the amount of water in your body. However, overuse of diuretics can damage joints. According to the book, "Your Body's Many Cries for Water," the principle in the design of all joints is for water to act as a lubricating agent. As water is removed from the body, the stress on joints becomes greater. Over time, this can wear on the joints and cause them to break down.

    Muscle Twitching

    • One of the reported side effects of consuming yerba mate is an occurrence of muscle twitching. This can affect muscle tone, leading to an abnormal gait. Prolonged muscle twitching and abnormal gait can cause stress and weakening of the joints.

Nutritional Supplements - Related Articles