Efeitos do consumo de Tereré pré – esforço físico sobre os indicadores de hidratação de praticantes de corrida

Abstract

Introduction: Yerba mate is widely consumed with cold water in the form of tereré in hot regions of Brazil, such as Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul, as well as Paraguay, as a way to alleviate heat and promote hydration. Tereré contains a variety of chemical compounds (caffeine, polyphenols, and saponins) that may positively affect the water balance inside and outside cells, aiding in blood flow, body temperature regulation, and reactions that generate energy and eliminate metabolic waste during physical activities. Despite its popular use and claims of hydration benefits, there are surprisingly few studies focused on yerba mate, especially in the sports context. Objectives: To evaluate the effects of pre-exercise tereré consumption on hydration indicators in runners. Methodology: In this randomized, crossover, double-blind study, 19 street runners (10 men and 9 women) aged 25 to 45 years were selected. All participants were familiarized with treadmill running and divided into two distinct groups: the Experimental Tereré Group, which consumed traditional tereré (50g of yerba mate infused in 6ml/kg of body weight of cold water at ±10ºC), and the Placebo Tereré Group, which received the same amount of water but with decaffeinated yerba mate. At baseline, participants answered socioeconomic questionnaires, dietary recalls, provided information about their training, and underwent anthropometric measurements (weight and height). Hydration status markers were obtained before and after 45 minutes of beverage consumption, including body mass, total body water (TBW), intracellular water (ICW) and extracellular water (ECW) (by electrical bioimpedance), urine specific gravity (UEG), and urine color (UC). At the end of the run, thirst scale and thirst sensation questionnaires were applied, and urine specific gravity and urine color were collected again. After a washout period of 7-14 days, the protocol was repeated, alternating the experimental conditions.Results: The consumption of tereré did not alter TBW, ICW, ECW, UEG or UC compared to the TrPL in both genders (p>0.05). However, time had a significant effect on UEG for both women and men. All athletes remained hydrated after the run. Conclusion: Tereré did not change the hydration parameters of the runners when compared to decaffeinated tereré, and both drinks were able to maintain a good hydration status in the athletes after physical effort. Tereré can be a nutritional strategy for hydrating street runners in races under 30 minutes.