Yerba Mate in Pregnancy – How Much Caffeine Is Allowed? Facts and Limits

Yerba Mate during pregnancy is one of those questions that doesn’t have a simple „yes” or „no” answer. Yerba contains caffeine — and it’s caffeine, from all sources combined, that an expectant mother should count and discuss with her doctor. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) indicates that during pregnancy, a daily caffeine intake of up to 200 mg raises no concerns — but that’s the total for coffee, tea, cola, chocolate and yerba combined. In this article, we’re not encouraging you to drink yerba during pregnancy. We’re showing you how to calculate caffeine intake, what to watch out for, and what to ask your gynaecologist — because they know your pregnancy, not the internet.

Pregnant woman considering her choice of drinks

Yerba Mate during pregnancy — talk to your doctor first, then reach for the matero

Every pregnancy is different. High blood pressure, reflux, anaemia, a high-risk pregnancy, medications being taken — each of these factors changes the answer to the caffeine question. That’s why the only honest advice we can give as a yerba producer is this: before deciding whether to stick with the holly infusion, talk to your doctor. This isn’t just a disclaimer. Your gynaecologist sees your results, knows how your pregnancy is progressing, and can tell you whether 200 mg of caffeine a day is a reasonable limit in your case, or whether you should go lower or cut it out entirely.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Treat it as a cheat sheet for your conversation with your doctor — not as a green light.

How much caffeine does yerba mate have and how to calculate it

Let’s start with the facts, because without them any discussion about yerba mate during pregnancy is just guesswork. A traditionally prepared serving of yerba mate (a matero filled one-third or one-quarter with dried leaves, refilled with water multiple times) can provide anywhere from 60 to even 120 mg of caffeine. A cup of weaker infusion made from one flat spoon of dried leaves has noticeably less. For comparison: a cup of black coffee usually has 90–150 mg, espresso 60–90 mg, and a can of energy drink around 80 mg. You’ll find a detailed breakdown in our article how much caffeine coffee, tea, yerba mate and energy drinks contain.

Now here’s a key point that’s easy to forget: the 200 mg limit set by EFSA applies to the whole day and all sources combined. If you drink a coffee in the morning (say, 100 mg) and then eat a few squares of dark chocolate in the afternoon, a good chunk of your daily allowance is already used up — before you even reach for the matero. That’s why counting caffeine during pregnancy is a bit like keeping a budget: it’s not about one expense, but the total at the end of the day.

There’s another reason to be cautious. During pregnancy, caffeine metabolism slows down noticeably — the same cup affects you longer than before pregnancy, and caffeine crosses the placenta. This doesn’t mean every sip is a problem. It means the expectant mother’s body processes caffeine differently than usual, and it’s worth giving it some margin.

If you stick with yerba mate after consulting your doctor — how to keep caffeine in check

Let’s say your doctor sees no contraindications, and you can’t imagine nine months without the taste of yerba mate. A few practical rules can help keep your infusion within reasonable limits:

Less dried leaves, more water. Instead of filling the matero one-quarter full, brew one flat spoon of dried leaves in a cup — like regular loose-leaf tea. A smaller portion of leaves simply means less caffeine.
Make use of multiple refills. The first pour releases the most caffeine, each subsequent one less. Instead of adding fresh leaves three times a day, refill the same portion several times.
Don’t combine without counting. Yerba mate plus coffee plus cola on the same day is an easy way to exceed the limit. Pick one main source of caffeine.
Not on an empty stomach and not in the evening. An infusion on an empty stomach can be irritating, and afternoon caffeine can ruin your night’s sleep — we wrote about this in the article yerba mate and sleep.
Listen to your body. Heart palpitations, anxiety, sleep problems, heartburn — these are signals to stop drinking the infusion and mention them to your doctor at your next visit.

And one more thing: water should remain the foundation of hydration during pregnancy. Yerba mate can be a flavorful addition to your day, not its liquid foundation — more in the article does yerba mate hydrate better than water.

Women at different stages: before pregnancy, during pregnancy and with a newborn

Herbal infusions during pregnancy — what’s generally considered safe

Many expectant mothers limit caffeine during pregnancy and switch to herbal infusions. When it comes to lemon balm or chamomile, experts largely agree — in reasonable amounts, these herbs are considered safe. However, it’s worth remembering that “herbal” doesn’t automatically mean “harmless”: some plants affect hormone balance or interact with medications. The rule is the same as with yerba mate — it’s worth simply showing your doctor a list of what you drink regularly.