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‘Mate’ Intake, Hormone-Based Risk Factors and Breast Cancer: a Case-Control Study
Alvaro L Ronco1,2,3, Edison Espinosa, Juan M Calderon
1Unit of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Pereira Rossell Women’s Hospital, Bvar. Artigas 1550, Montevideo 11600, Uruguay.
Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention : APJCP
|May 27, 2017
Summary
This study found that regular consumption of mate, an herbal infusion, is associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer (BC). The protective effect of mate appears stronger in individuals with higher dietary energy intake, suggesting potential antioxidant and antiestrogenic benefits.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Epidemiology
- Oncology
- Phytochemistry
Background:
- Previous research suggests an inverse relationship between mate (Ilex Paraguariensis) consumption and breast cancer (BC) risk.
- Mate possesses antioxidant properties and may act as a hormone regulator, specifically through anti-aromatase activity.
- Hormone-linked reproductive factors are established BC risk factors, reflecting cumulative estrogenic exposure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between mate intake, hormone-related reproductive factors, and breast cancer risk.
- To explore the potential antioxidant and antiestrogenic mechanisms of mate in relation to BC risk.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 572 BC cases and 889 controls.
- Data collection included questionnaires on socio-demographics, lifestyle, reproductive history, and mate intake.
- Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals, adjusting for confounders.
Main Results:
- Mate intake showed significant inverse associations with several high-risk BC factors: early menarche, nulliparity, low breastfeeding duration, long reproductive years, and high ovulatory cycle count.
- These inverse associations were notably stronger in individuals with high dietary energy intake.
- Mate consumption was inversely linked to breast cancer risk, particularly among those with higher calorific diets.
Conclusions:
- High mate intake is associated with a reduced breast cancer risk, especially when considering established hormone-related risk factors.
- The findings support the hypothesis that mate's protective effects may stem from combined antioxidant and antiestrogenic actions.
- The interaction between mate consumption, dietary energy, and BC risk warrants further investigation.
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