Caracterização de indivíduos da Fronteira Oeste/RS (Brasil) que pos- suem o hábito de tomar chimarrão em temperatura elevada Characterization of people from Western Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) which drink "chimarrão" at high temperature

The “chimarrao” is a drink served hot yerba mate(Ilex paraguariensis) usually is part of the culture and has important commercial value for the southern states of Brazil. The present study aimed to characterize individuals who who lives in an Western city of Rio Grande do Sul, which have the habit of drinking mate, as well as analyzing their conceptions regarding the use and the water temperature. A questionnaire was applied to 205 individuals between August and December 2008 in a city of the western border/RS, raising social/demographic profile of interviewed individuals, as well as information about benefits, harms and temperature of drinking consumption. Temperatures were measured using a thermometer. Their profile was: 51.7% woman; 48.5% married; 48.76% were age between 20 to 40 years; 71.2% had at least high school education; for the majority, the starting age of “chimarrao” consumption was between 10 and 20 years. The frequency of consumption for 74.6% of the individuals is at least once a day, ranging from 8 bowls to a thermal bottle (one liter) and they prefer hot “chimarrao” and without sugar. In the interviewed opinions, the symbolism of “chimarrao” consumption can be translated as “friendship” and “family”. It is recognized as a beneficial drink by its “diuretic effects” and “digestion improvements”. The water temperature in the thermal bottles and bowls have shown that most consumers use it above 60 o C, making them vulnerable to diseases. The results of this study may stimulate reflections, discussions and actions by the population in order to minimize health risks for the “chimarrao” consumers.