Does Yerba Mate Cause Gastritis?

What Gastroenterology Says

Many people quit drinking yerba mate thinking it harms the stomach. But according to gastroenterologists, mate does not cause gastritis or SIBO by itself.

So why does it sometimes cause digestive discomfort?
The answer lies in pre-existing inflammation and context.

Mate and Gastritis: It’s Not the Cause, It’s a Trigger

Gastritis is inflammation of the stomach lining. Mate does not cause this inflammation on its own, but if the stomach lining is already irritated, mate can trigger symptoms like:

• Burning sensation

• Upper abdominal pain

• Acid reflux

• A feeling of increased sensitivity in the stomach

This is especially common if:

• Mate is very hot

• You drink it on an empty stomach

• You drink large amounts at once

So mate doesn’t create gastritis — it can just stimulate symptoms that are already there.

Mate and SIBO: Why Tolerance Changes

People with SIBO often have a more reactive and sensitive gut. In this situation, mate doesn’t cause bacterial overgrowth, but it stimulates the digestive system and gut motility, which can make symptoms worse. Increased visceral sensitivity (a heightened gut response) can also make sensations feel more intense than they used to.

This explains why some people say:

“I used to drink mate and now I can’t tolerate it.”

It’s not the mate creating a new condition — it’s a gut that’s already inflamed reacting more strongly to stimuli.

The Role of Stress

Stress directly affects the gut-brain axis. When you’re stressed:

• Digestive sensitivity increases

• Digestion alters

• Gastritis and SIBO symptoms can flare

In this context, drinking mate can worsen pain, bloating, nausea, or acid sensations, but the root cause isn’t the mate itself.

So Should You Stop Drinking Mate?

Not necessarily. The medical perspective emphasizes adaptation, not prohibition:

✅ Drink it less hot
✅ Don’t drink it on an empty stomach
✅ Moderate the amount you drink
✅ Address underlying gut inflammation (like gastritis or SIBO)

As the stomach and intestine heal, many people are able to tolerate mate again without discomfort.

Key Takeaway

Yerba mate does not cause gastritis, nor does it cause SIBO.
Discomfort after mate is usually a sign of existing gastric sensitivity or inflammation, and mate simply makes you notice it more.