Is Yerba Mate okay to consume?

[topazorchid]

Is Yerba Mate okay to consume during my pregnancy?  I NEED a coffe alternative and I have read conflicting info.  My gut is telling me that it is probably okay in moderation.  Any preggo Yerba Mate drinkers here?  Thoughts?

[bobcat]

Can you just drink coffee in moderation? I just found out I'm pregnant, and that is what I'm doing. Also will be drinking black tea.

I just typed Yerba Mate into Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yerba_mate If you scroll down to where it says "Xanthines", it lists caffeine and two other similar substances ( theobromine and theophylline),. If you continue to read those few paragraphs, it talks about the effects that are similar to coffee, but they affect muscles more (which wouldn't help your drowsiness/wakefulness anyways), and they can affect heart rhythms in stimulating way (don't know if this is more or less than plain caffeine). So based on that, I wouldn't use it. You don't want your baby's heart to be racing MORE than it would with coffee. We KNOW what caffeine, in moderation, does to a developing baby (in smaller amounts, it is okay, as far as I know), but mate isn't as commonly used, so the effects wouldn't be as well-known/time-tested.

So in other words, I'd stick to small amounts of weak coffee, and black tea. If you want to push the envelope, I'd just drink more coffee vs using mate. That is just my opinion, I'm not a doctor.

I understand this dilemma, trust me! I'm drinking coffee right now. Good luck!

[topazorchid]

This is what has me thinking its okay in moderation...thoughts on this?

http://www.yerba-mate.com/yerbamate.pdf

“To assess the effect of mate drinking during pregnancy on preterm and small for
gestational age (SGA) birth, a cross-sectional study was done. From January 1st to
December 31st, 1993, in the first 24 h after delivery, all 5304 mothers giving birth at the
hospitals in Pelotas, Southern Brazil, were interviewed and several of their characteristics
were gathered. Birthweight was recorded and gestational age at birth assessed using the
Dubowitz score. All 5189 single births were analyzed. The prevalence of SGA and preterm
birth was 8.0 and 9.1%, respectively. Mate intake at least once a week during the entire
pregnancy period was reported by approximately 68% of the mothers. Crude analyses
showed a 30% increase in the risk of SGA among daily mate drinkers compared with
nonconsumers (prevalence ratio = 1.3; 95% CI 1.1-1.6), whereas no statistical association
was detected with preterm births. After controlling for confounders, the significance of the
association with SGA birth no longer held and the lack of association with prematurity
remained unchanged. In conclusion, prevalence of daily mate drinking was high
among pregnant women and, contrary to the hypothesis, no harmful effect on
intrauterine growth or duration of pregnancy was detected.”

[deborahbgkelly]

I would not drink it. It has several stimulants. I do half-calf most of the time when I want a little caffeine or black tea as was suggested earlier.
 

Originally Posted by topazorchid 

This is what has me thinking its okay in moderation...thoughts on this?

http://www.yerba-mate.com/yerbamate.pdf

“To assess the effect of mate drinking during pregnancy on preterm and small for
gestational age (SGA) birth, a cross-sectional study was done. From January 1st to
December 31st, 1993, in the first 24 h after delivery, all 5304 mothers giving birth at the
hospitals in Pelotas, Southern Brazil, were interviewed and several of their characteristics
were gathered. Birthweight was recorded and gestational age at birth assessed using the
Dubowitz score. All 5189 single births were analyzed. The prevalence of SGA and preterm
birth was 8.0 and 9.1%, respectively. Mate intake at least once a week during the entire
pregnancy period was reported by approximately 68% of the mothers. Crude analyses
showed a 30% increase in the risk of SGA among daily mate drinkers compared with
nonconsumers (prevalence ratio = 1.3; 95% CI 1.1-1.6), whereas no statistical association
was detected with preterm births. After controlling for confounders, the significance of the
association with SGA birth no longer held and the lack of association with prematurity
remained unchanged. In conclusion, prevalence of daily mate drinking was high
among pregnant women and, contrary to the hypothesis, no harmful effect on
intrauterine growth or duration of pregnancy was detected.”

[andaluza]

I have heard that yerba mate is linked to cancer, so you may want to investigate that issue, as well. This site discusses it and has a number of cited studies to corroborate, although it is just one that I found when googling: http://www.caring4cancer.com/go/cancer/nutrition/questions

[Sol_y_Paz]

Over a year ago I bought Yerba Mate. When it ran out I went online to get a better price and then I saw the conflicting studies on it. I started to research it as much as possible. After much research I decided not to drink it, even while not pregnant.  I would not drink while pregnant personally. I won't drink it ever again because to me, once I fully researched, it wasn't worth the risk when there are so so so many other tasty teas out there that are proven to be healthy and no doubt are good for you.