- With Mayo Clinic nutritionist
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
read biographyclose windowBiography of
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
As a specialty editor for the nutrition and healthy eating guide, Katherine Zeratsky helps you sort through the facts and figures, the fads and the hype to learn more about nutrition and diet.
A Marinette, Wis., native, Katherine is certified in dietetics by the state of Minnesota and the American Dietetic Association. She has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999.
She is active in nutrition-related curriculum and course development in wellness nutrition at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and nutrition education related to weight management and practical applications of nutrition-related lifestyle changes.
Other areas of interest include food and nutrition for all life stages, active lifestyles and the culinary arts.
She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, served a dietetic internship at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, and worked as a registered dietitian and health risk counselor at ThedaCare of Appleton, Wis., before joining the Mayo Clinic staff.
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Question
Yerba mate: Is it safe to drink?
A friend suggested that I try yerba mate tea to boost my energy. What is yerba mate? Is it safe?
Answer
from Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.
Yerba mate is a tropical plant. Yerba mate leaves and twigs can be steeped in hot water to make a tea-like beverage known simply as mate. Yerba mate, which contains caffeine, is a popular drink in some areas of South America. In the United States, yerba mate is widely available in health food stores and online. Proponents of yerba mate say that it can relieve fatigue, promote weight loss, ease depression and headaches, and help treat various other conditions.
Some studies indicate that people who drink large amounts of yerba mate over prolonged periods may be at increased risk of various types of cancer, including cancer of the mouth, esophagus and lungs. Smoking in combination with yerba mate seems to greatly increase the cancer risk. However, occasional use of yerba mate probably poses no serious risks for healthy adults. As always, check with your doctor before using any herbal product.
- Mate. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com/. Accessed Dec. 3, 2009.
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