How Guarana Works
Guarana (Botanical name: Paullinia Cupana) is a shrub, homogeneously grown in a small area in Northern Brazil, and the Amazon Basin of South America. The Guarana paste or gum extracted from the seeds of the plant, contain tannins like guaranine (something like caffeine), which act as astringents, and are crushed and dried by the South Americans in order to make a stimulating drink.
In Guarana, tannins such as guaranine contain alkaloids like theobromine and theophylline (also found in cocoa) in traces, which serve the purpose of stimulants and lead to an enhancement in physical performance, and mental alertness. It also helps to increase the metabolic rate and decrease appetite, thus resulting in Guarana weight loss. The seeds of Guarana also contain xanthenes (caffeine), which are commonly used a ‘tonic’ in South America. The Guarana extract has an average caffeine content of about 30-50%, traces of which can be found in urine even 9 days after the intake of Guarana extract. This extract contains about 1-3% theobromine and theophylline. Each compound majorly affects the nervous system.
It is possible for Guarana to interact with other medicines. Some of these medicines are stimulants, such as caffeine, cocaine, amphetamines, Cimetidine, Clozapine, diabetes medicines, and several types of antibiotics. Moreover, it is not advisable for pregnant women or feeding mothers because it may have side effects, and even produce symptoms like insomnia, palpitation and urinary frequency. For this reason, Guarana extract must always be taken in moderate to low quantities.
Although Guarana is generally advertised as an exotic herb, many people don’t know that one of its main constituents is caffeine. In fact, Guarana berries have higher caffeine content than coffee beans, which serves the dual purpose of a stimulant and a diuretic. Guarana extract is safe for children only if given in very small amounts. But if caffeine is not given to the child, then Guarana extract is not advisable either.
Following, are the possible benefits of Guarana:
1. Enhances perception and mental alertness.
2. Increases stamina, thus improving performance in sports and athletics.
3. Increases metabolic rate, thus helping in weight loss.
4. Reduces appetite, which in turn, also results in fast weight loss.
5. It is an effective treatment for hangovers and headaches induced by menstruation.
6. Good for the heart, and also helps to lower blood pressure.
7. Increases energy.
Since the caffeine content in Guarana is so high, it is difficult to estimate a ‘safe’ dosage. The dosage would depend on a number of determining factors such as the amount of caffeine consumed from other sources, and individual response to caffeine. Guarana may show some common side effects, as mentioned earlier, like insomnia, indigestion, nervousness, nausea, headaches, etc. Specific Guarana side effects like high blood pressure, anxiety, irregular heart rhythm and allergic reactions ought to be immediately reported to the doctor.
*** The Guarana Free Trial offer expired, so the button is leads you to a free trial of Acai Berry
> More Guarana information
