[High temperature "matè" infusion drinking in a population at risk for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus].
"Matè", a popular hot infusion of a herb (Ilex paraguayensis) drunk in large volumes, is a known risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus and there is a suspicion that high temperature of boiled water used for the infusion may contribute for carcinogenesis.


METHODS
We measured the temperature of "matè" infusion drunk by a sample of the population at risk for this carcinoma in Taquara, southern Brazil. We interviewed inhabitants for drinking habits and the temperature of the infusion was measured with high precision thermometers. Temperature of the infusion was asked to consumers and their estimate compared to our measurements. We considered 60 degrees C or higher as "hot".


RESULTS
In 36 residencies, 107 individuals were drinking "matè". Most individuals drank it daily (97.2%), and the medium daily volume was 1,265 ml (SD +/- 1,132 mL) ranging from 250 to 6,000 mL. The measured temperature was 60 degrees C or higher in 72% of residencies with medium of 63.4 degrees C (51-78 degrees C) and median 64.4 degrees C.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, "matè" was consumed in large volumes at high temperature and individuals did not estimate correctly the temperature of infusion. High temperatures of "matè" may contribute to carcinogenesis in this population.
de Barros
S G
SG
Grupo de Estudos e Pesquisa em Câncer de Esôfago (GEPECE) do Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre e da Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul.ppgastro@vortex.ufrgs.br
Ghisolfi
E S
ES
Luz
L P
LP
Barlem
G G
GG
Vidal
R M
RM
Wolff
F H
FH
Magno
V A
VA
Breyer
H P
HP
Dietz
J
J
Grüber
A C
AC
Kruel
C D
CD
Prolla
J C
JC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001938:Brazil; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000209:etiology*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D019684:Magnoliopsida / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013697:Thermosensing; D014505:Urban Population