Guarana (Paullinia cupana, Sapindaceae) is an evergreen climbing plant in the Amazon rainforests of South America. It grows mainly in the territories of Brazil. The plant is distinguished by its huge leaves and beautiful flower bouquets.
The great international interest in it is due to its small red fruits, which are about the size of a coffee bean. The seeds and Guarana extract contain many xanthines, including moderate to large amounts of caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline.
As a consequence of these substances, Guarana has the physiological and cumulative effects, characteristic of coffee and caffeine.
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How and What to Use Guarana
Guarana (Paullinia cupana, Sapindaceae) is an evergreen climbing plant in the Amazon rainforests of South America. It grows mainly in the territories of Brazil. The plant is distinguished by its huge leaves and beautiful flower bouquets.
The great international interest in it is due to its small red fruits, which are about the size of a coffee bean. Every fruit contains within itself a seed that surprisingly resembles an eye before you peel it off completely.
After that, it resembles a hazelnut. Every seed contains five times the concentration of caffeine found in coffee beans of the same size. The history of the plant is unwritten and it lost in the cultural myths of the Tupi and Guarani tribes, inhabiting the Amazon jungle. Legend says that one of the local deities killed a child, truly loved by his tribe.
Another deity planted the eyes of the dead child - the left one in the village and the other one in the jungle. That is how the wild and cultivated forms of Guarana appeared.
What Do We Need to Know About the Active Ingredients of Guarana
The seeds and Guarana extract contain many xanthines, including moderate to large amounts of caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline.
As a consequence of these substances, Guarana has the physiological and cumulative effects, characteristic of coffee and caffeine.
Proven Benefits:
- Proven toning effect on the body and mind;
- Improves mental function;
- Reduces fatigue;
- Stimulates lipolysis (the breakdown of fat);
- Increases the volume of the blood vessels;
- Relaxes the flat muscles of the bronchi in the lungs
Are There Any Side Effects and Contraindications When Taking Guarana
The Guarana extract is generally recognized as a safe product within the recommended optimal daily dose along with a single dose of 300 mg caffeine within 24 hours.
The Guarana extract is standardized according to the amount of xanthine in its composition and mainly to the caffeine dose. Therefore, like every caffeine product, the Guarana extract is associated with all side effects, typical of caffeine overuse (caffeinism).
Guarana extract is not recommended for pregnant and/breastfeeding women. Concomitant intake of antidepressants and anesthetics with Guarana is also not recommended.
Dosage:
The dosage of caffeine in products containing Guarana is subject to serious control in the EU and in the US.
Doses, designated as safe, range globally that is why the limit of 150 to 450 mg of caffeine/24 hours is considered advisable.
In Which Sports and Health Supplements Can We Find Guarana Extract
For many foods, drinks and health supplements manufacturers the extract from Guarana seeds is a more valuable source of caffeine than the coffee beans, although the formula of caffeine in the seeds of both plants is no different.
Guarana extract is used in herbal tonics, in thermogenic and complex phosphate fat burners, in sport and energizing drinks.
