Does anyone know about Mate?

[Authenticme]

There was a thread started here by a woman who was an avid coffee drinker. But since going raw,she finds that she can no longer tolerate even the smell of coffee but she misses it. I am in the same boat. The smell and taste of coffee makes me ill now. I was an avid Starbucks customer but no more.

I have since found an alternative which is Mate. It's a plant found in Paraguay, I believe. It's similiar to tea. When roasted it tastes even more satisfying then coffee. Not nearly as acidic.

Does anyone know about Mate? There are all kinds of health benefits that people boast about for this product. I just wanted a more balanced view. Anyone?

Thanks!

[Nurse in the Raw]

Department of Epidemiology, Armand-Frappier Institute, Goiania, Brazil.

Consumption of maté, a tea-like infusion of the herb Ilex paraguariensis, is common in South America. Drinkers have high risks of upper aerodigestive tract cancers, but it is conceivable that this high risk may be attributable to confounding by smoking alcohol, and other exposures. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the data from a case-control study of upper aerodigestive tract cancers conducted in Southern Brazil. We matched noncancer controls (N = 756) to cases (N = 378) on the basis of age, sex, and period of admission. We estimated the effect of mateé consumption by conditional logistic regression with adjustment for smoking, alcohol, sociodemographics, and several dietary items, considered as confounders. The unadjusted relative risk (RR) for all upper aerodigestive tract cancers was 2.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.6-2.7]. Some excess risk persisted after adjustment for potential confounders. Most of the excess risk for maté drinkers was for oral and laryngeal cancers. Owing to its high prevalence in Southern South America, maté drinking may be linked to as many as 20% of all cases occurring in this region.

[Authenticme]

Wow! Thanks, Stacie! You should have seen all the website hits for Mate boasting it's healing effects. It's always good to get a balanced view. Thanks so much!

[dahlila]

Department of Epidemiology, Armand-Frappier Institute, Goiania, Brazil.

Consumption of maté, a tea-like infusion of the herb Ilex paraguariensis, is common in South America. Drinkers have high risks of upper aerodigestive tract cancers, but it is conceivable that this high risk may be attributable to confounding by smoking alcohol, and other exposures. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed the data from a case-control study of upper aerodigestive tract cancers conducted in Southern Brazil. We matched noncancer controls (N = 756) to cases (N = 378) on the basis of age, sex, and period of admission. We estimated the effect of mateé consumption by conditional logistic regression with adjustment for smoking, alcohol, sociodemographics, and several dietary items, considered as confounders. The unadjusted relative risk (RR) for all upper aerodigestive tract cancers was 2.1 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.6-2.7]. Some excess risk persisted after adjustment for potential confounders. Most of the excess risk for maté drinkers was for oral and laryngeal cancers. Owing to its high prevalence in Southern South America, maté drinking may be linked to as many as 20% of all cases occurring in this region.

I personally do not buy this study. Research studies can never offer absolute proof, only correlations and are often flawed. I lean towards buying that the incidences of these cancers are due to the interactions of several factors such as the high rates of smoking, alcohol, and the animal-based diet (as mentioned in the study) found in this area of the world. I think it is limited and reductionist to say that a single cause (mate) causes cancer especially since when it is isolated it is found to be a potent anti-oxidant and healer of many ailments and diseases.

I say this because Mate has helped me greatly to improve my health. My family has been drinking the stuff for decades and are very healthy. So, yes I am biased. I would rec. mate to anyone, it is a great alternative to coffee.

[RawkStar]

I find it a little suspect, too.

I'm from Argentina where mate rules. My parents drink it every afternoon like the English drink tea, although they use gourds and a silver straw. I've never heard of an increased risk of cancer, and don't know anyone who has had cancer. This, from generations of mate drinkers.

I don't drink it, myself, for the same reason I don't drink coffee: I just don't like hot beverages! :D

[Authenticme]

Thank you all for your comments. It's been really helpful. There were so many health benefits listed for Mate that I wanted a more balanced view. It's true the study didn't really count for the diet of the people who drink it. And perhaps it's more about moderation. I love the taste. I had a mate latte at an alternative coffee bar and it was great.