Yerba Mate and Cancer
There have been several studies conducted to ascertain the anticancer properties of yerba mate, then comparing those properties to the anticancer properties of other teas such as green tea that are also thought to have anticancer effects. Experiments in vitro and with animals have indicated that yerba mate does have a protective effect against cancer.
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The in vitro tests conducted measured the cytotoxicity(toxic to cells) of yerba mate to liver cancer cells. Yerba mate was shown to be more cytotoxic to human liver cancer cells than was green tea.
It is known that cancer cells have higher concentrations of the enzyme topoisomerase II than normal cells have due to the high rates of cell division of cancer cells. The in vitro study showed a significantly higher human antitopoisomerase II activity by yerba mate as compared to green tea. This then reveals a significant cancer cell growth inhibition property for yerba mate. It was shown that concentrations greater than 375 micrograms of solid extract/mL completely inhibited oral cell carcinoma growth.
It is true that there has been a high correlation of certain cancers to areas of Brazil and Uruguay where the consumption of yerba mate is high. However, smoking and alcohol consumption are also associated with these areas and may also play a role in the high incidence of cancer. It has also shown that consuming more than 1 L of yerba mate per day can increase the risk for cancers of the head and neck. However, it has also been shown that consuming strong and very hot tea as well as other hot beverages, coffee, and green tea, also increased the risk of oral cancer. This increased risk may therefore be due to thermal injury because the beverage was hot rather than because of the type of beverage.
Studies of the connection between yerba mate consumption and cancer included individuals that also consume black tobacco and alcohol. But, there is no direct implication that any one factor contributes to an increase in oral cancers more than others. Yerba may not be a carcinogen in itself, but the high temperature of its consumption is what may increase the absorption of carcinogens found in other substances such as cigarette smoke.
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