Is Yerba Mate Safe During Pregnancy? (Updated 2026 Guide)
Updated April 13, 2026
The Answer
With caution - yerba mate contains caffeine and should be limited during pregnancy. Keep total daily caffeine intake under 200mg from all sources, which means limiting yerba mate to 1-2 cups per day maximum.
Yerba mate is a caffeinated beverage that requires moderation during pregnancy. High caffeine intake above 200mg daily has been linked to increased miscarriage risk and low birth weight. Some yerba mate products also contain hibiscus, which has hormonal activity and potential anti implantation effects based on animal studies, so check ingredient labels carefully.
Pregnancy Safe is 100% independent and research driven. No companies pay to promote or sponsor products.
✓ What's Safe
- • Plain yerba mate tea without added herbs like hibiscus or elderberry
- • Products with clear caffeine content listed (aim for under 85mg per serving)
- • Brands like Terravita or Taragui that score A grade for pregnancy safety
- • Limit to 1-2 cups daily and count toward your 200mg caffeine limit
- • Consider switching to decaf or caffeine free alternatives in the first trimester when miscarriage risk is highest
✗ What to Avoid
- • Consuming more than 200mg of caffeine daily from all sources combined
- • Yerba mate products containing hibiscus flower (linked to hormonal effects)
- • Products with elderberry or elderflower (insufficient pregnancy safety data)
- • Energy style yerba mate drinks with added caffeine or guarana
- • Drinking yerba mate on an empty stomach (can increase caffeine absorption)
Most Common Ingredients in Yerba Mate Products
We analyzed 57 yerba mate products. Here are the most common ingredients, ranked by how often they appear:
Ingredients to Watch Out For in Yerba Mate
These are the most common flagged ingredients across 57 yerba mate products we analyzed.
organic caffeine
CAUTION
Organic caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee and tea. Is linked to increased miscarriage risk and low birth weight above 200 mg daily.
Found in 18 of 57 products (32%)
organic hibiscus flower
CAUTION
Organic hibiscus flower is a tropical plant used in teas for antioxidant benefits. Has hormonal activity and may have anti implantation effects based on animal studies.
Found in 6 of 57 products (11%)
organic brewed yerba mate and hibiscus flower purified water
CAUTION
Organic brewed yerba mate and hibiscus flower purified water is a tropical plant used in teas for antioxidant benefits. Has hormonal activity and may have anti implantation effects based on animal studies.
Found in 2 of 57 products (4%)
organic elderberry juice concentrate
CAUTION
Organic elderberry juice concentrate is an herbal supplement for immune support. May interfere with pregnancy immune function and raw berries contain toxic compounds.
Found in 2 of 57 products (4%)
alcohol
CAUTION
Alcohol is an intoxicating substance in beverages. Causes fetal alcohol spectrum disorder with lifelong physical and cognitive problems. No safe level exists.
Found in 1 of 57 products (2%)
caffeine
CAUTION
Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee and tea. Is linked to increased miscarriage risk and low birth weight above 200 mg daily.
Found in 1 of 57 products (2%)
eldercraft organic elderberry extract
CAUTION
Eldercraft organic elderberry extract is an herbal supplement for immune support. May interfere with pregnancy immune function and raw berries contain toxic compounds.
Found in 1 of 57 products (2%)
elderflowers
CAUTION
Elderflowers is flowers from the elder plant used in teas and cordials. Has no established pregnancy safety data and may affect immune function.
Found in 1 of 57 products (2%)
Yerba Mate Products We've Analyzed
We graded 57 yerba mate products for pregnancy safety. 30 received an A grade.
Pregnancy Safe Yerba Mate Products
We found 30 pregnancy safe options. Here are some top picks.
| Grade | Product | Brand |
|---|---|---|
| A | Yerba Mate Strawberry Flavor | Terravita |
| A | Yerba Mate Mint Flavor | Terravita |
| A | Yerba Mate Chocolate Flavor | Terravita |
| A | Yerba Mate Vanilla Flavor | Terravita |
| A | Yerba Mate (Certified Organic) 450 Mg | Terravita Premium Collection |
Your Questions Answered
Can I drink yerba mate during pregnancy?
Yes, but with caution and in limited amounts. Yerba mate contains caffeine, typically 30-85mg per cup depending on preparation. Medical guidelines recommend keeping total caffeine intake under 200mg daily during pregnancy. This means you can safely enjoy 1-2 cups of yerba mate per day, but you must count it toward your total caffeine intake from all sources including coffee, tea, chocolate, and soda.
What are the risks of yerba mate during pregnancy?
The primary risk is caffeine content. Studies have linked caffeine intake above 200mg daily to increased miscarriage risk, premature delivery, and low birth weight. Additionally, some yerba mate products contain hibiscus flower, which animal studies suggest may have anti implantation effects and hormonal activity. Always check ingredient labels and choose plain yerba mate without added herbs during pregnancy.
How much caffeine is in yerba mate compared to coffee?
Yerba mate typically contains 30-85mg of caffeine per 8oz cup, while coffee contains 80-100mg per cup. This makes yerba mate a moderate caffeine option. However, traditional preparation methods using a gourd and bombilla with multiple refills can significantly increase total caffeine intake. If you're monitoring caffeine during pregnancy, stick to measured single servings rather than traditional continuous brewing.
Are there pregnancy safe yerba mate brands?
Yes, several brands offer A grade pregnancy safe yerba mate products. Terravita, Taragui, and some Yachak products contain simple ingredients without concerning additives like hibiscus or elderberry. Look for products with minimal ingredient lists - ideally just yerba mate leaves. Avoid products marketed as energy drinks or those with added herbal blends, as these often contain ingredients that lack pregnancy safety data.
Can yerba mate cause miscarriage?
Yerba mate itself has not been directly linked to miscarriage, but its caffeine content is the concern. Research shows that caffeine intake above 200mg daily during pregnancy is associated with increased miscarriage risk. One study found that consuming more than 6 cups of yerba mate daily (approximately 300mg+ caffeine) may increase risks. Staying within the 200mg daily limit by drinking 1-2 cups should be safe for most pregnancies.
How Do We Score Products for Pregnancy Safety?
We analyze each product's ingredients and category to flag known risks and provide cautionary notices for general category safety concerns.
A - Safe
Excellent choice! All ingredients are considered safe during pregnancy.
What to do: Use with confidence.
B - Likely Safe
Pretty much safe with very minimal risk. Some ingredients may have limited pregnancy studies, but no significant safety concerns have been identified.
What to do: Use with confidence.
C - Limit
Contains ingredients with some pregnancy considerations. Research shows these ingredients may have limited safety data, potential for minor hormonal effects, or require caution based on animal studies.
What to do: Use sparingly and consider safer alternatives when available.
D - Caution
Similar to C grade but contains multiple cautionary ingredients. The combination increases overall concern.
What to do: Try to avoid if that makes you feel better. If you've already used it, no need to panic.
F - Avoid
Contains ingredients with established risks during pregnancy. Research shows these can cause birth defects, developmental harm, or serious maternal complications.
What to do: Do not use during pregnancy. If you've already used it, don't worry - contact your OBGYN if concerned.
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References
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