Guarana

Related Topics:
Guaraní

Guarana or Guaraná (pronounced gwa-ra-'naa), Paullinia cupana (syn. P. crysan, P. sorbilis), is a shrub or small tree in the Sapindaceae family, native to Venezuela and northern Brazil. The seed of the Guaraná fruit is a central nervous system stimulant with thermogenic and diuretic properties.

Guaraná plays an important role in Tupi and Guaraní Brazillian culture. The name 'guaraná' is derived from the Tupi-Guarani word wara'ná. These tribes believed it to be magical, a cure for bowel complaints and a way to regain strength. They also tell the myth of a 'Divine Child' that was killed by a serpent and whose eyes gave birth to this plant.

Uses

Guaraná is used as an ingredient in sodas and energy drinks and separately as a dietary supplement to promote health and/or weight loss.

Beverages

Brazil produces several brands of soft drink from guaraná extract that contain no added caffeine. Each differs greatly in flavour; some with very little natural guarana fruit taste. In Brazil, sales of guarana drinks are second only to cola drinks. They are typically fizzy and sweet, with a very fruity aftertaste. Most guaraná drinks are produced in Brazil and consumed there or in nearby countries, such as Paraguay. Major brands include Guaraná Antarctica and Guaraná Brahma from AmBev, Kuat, and Guaraná Jesus, a local Brazilian brand named for the druggist that formulated it ^*. A sizable number of local producers also create drinks not for export.

Weight loss and health supplement

Studies involving guaraná show benefits to cognitive function (PMID 16533867). They have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or similar government agencies. In the United States, guaraná holds a GRAS-status, i.e. generally regarded as safe and must be labeled as not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics published a study in June of 2001 showing an average 11.2 pound weight loss in a group taking a mixture of yerba mate, guaraná and damiana, compared to an average 1 pound loss in a placebo group after 45 days ^*.

A university study in Brazil of guarana extract showed a platelet aggregation decrease of up to 37% of control values and platelet thromboxane formation from arachidonic acid of up to 78% of control values ^*. This study may be significant to stroke and heart attack risk reduction because when platelets hyperaggregate or excess thromboxane formation occurs, an arterial blood clot can develop, resulting in a heart attack or ischemic stroke .

A separate 1997 study of the effects of guarana on the physical activity of rats showed an increase in memory retention and physical endurance when compared with a placebo ^*.

Other studies have shown antioxidant, antibacterial, and fat cell reduction (when combined with Conjugated Linoleic Acid) properties in guaraná ^*.

Although side-effects of guaraná are rare, drugs.com recommends, "When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/ health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous". Drugs.com also advises not to mix guaraná with ephedrine ^*.

Composition

Guaraná seeds consist of mostly reddish vegetable fiber and resin with a small amount of oil and water.

From Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases ^*:

Chemicals in: Paullinia cupana (alphabetical order, concentration given*)

Adenine seed: Duke1992a

Ash seed 14,200 ppm; Duke1992a

Caffeine seed 25,000 - 76,000 ppm Duke1992a

Catechutannic-acid seed: Duke1992a

Choline seed: Duke1992a

D-catechin seed: Duke1992a

Fat seed 30,000 ppm; Duke1992a

Guanine seed: Duke1992a

Guaranine seed: Duke1992a

Hypoxanthine seed: Duke1992a

Mucilage seed: Duke1992a

Protein seed 98,600 ppm; Duke1992a

Resin seed 70,000 ppm; Duke1992a

Saponin seed: Duke1992a

Starch seed 50,000 - 60,000 ppm Duke1992a

Tannin seed 85,000 - 120,000 ppm Duke1992a

Theobromine seed 330 ppm; Duke1992a

Theophylline seed 570 ppm; Duke1992a

Timbonine seed: Duke1992a

Xanthine seed: Duke1992a

Duke1992a: Duke, James A. 1992. Handbook of phytochemical constituents of GRAS herbs and other economic plants. Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press.

(*) ppm = parts per million

tr = trace

Guarana contains different amounts, i.e., either less or more of the stimulants theobromine and theophylline and other alkaloids, than other caffeine sources. To compare values on this table with those of other plant sources search Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases ^*.

Guaranine and caffeine

The chemical guaranine is identical to caffeine derived from other sources, for example coffee, tea and mate. Guaranine, theine, mateina are all official synonyms for caffeine. See the searchable current databases listed below.

Drugs database search

Enter guaranine or any other drug name in the search boxes of any of the following databases:

External resources

Sapindales | Fruit | Herbal and fungal stimulants