Guarana: Properties, Benefits, and Contraindications

With its striking appearance, guarana is a marvellous fruit from the Amazon that has been consumed for centuries in Latin American countries.

That said, you’ve probably noticed that, while it’s widely known as the base of a popular drink, its properties go much further, deeply rooted in therapeutic use, specifically in enhancing performance, both physically and as a support for cognitive function.

Add to this its reputation as a remarkable weight loss aid, and you’ll understand why guarana could be worth including in your diet.

What Is Guarana and What Is It Used For?

Guarana is a plant that has shown medicinal properties for centuries, making it a unique remedy. Interestingly, the indigenous Amazonian tribe known as the Guarani used its seeds to prepare a traditional drink to aid their recovery.

This is why the plant is named Guarana. Today, it is valued for a multitude of benefits and properties applied across various fields, with its qualities proven to be highly effective.

What Are the Properties of This Popular Supplement?

Guarana’s properties include a rich content of xanthines such as caffeine, catechins, procyanidins, tannins, and other phytochemicals. The xanthines are alkaloids with stimulating effects on the central nervous system, triggering a range of responses.

Are you in a weight-loss or weight-management phase? Whether you’re following a slimming diet or are an athlete looking to boost sports performance, guarana could be a fantastic natural aid.

The combination of a daily exercise routine and a balanced diet enhances guarana’s effects on weight loss.

What Does Guarana Do?

If we could describe guarana’s functionality, it would be highly versatile. It can serve as a remedy or aid in various situations:

10 Benefits of Guarana

The primary component of Paullinia Cupana is caffeine, a stimulant of the central nervous system that releases adrenaline. In fact, its seeds contain about twice the caffeine of coffee beans.
This means that the benefits of consuming guarana are closely linked to those of caffeine:

1. Powerful Energiser

In moderate doses, caffeine increases alertness, reducing drowsiness. Its stimulating effects can begin within 15 to 30 minutes after ingestion. Age, body weight, or medication can influence how quickly your body eliminates it.

In healthy adults, the half-life of caffeine is about four hours, ranging from two to eight hours, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

2. Guarana for Weight Loss

Its high caffeine content increases metabolism by 3% to 11%, allowing the body to burn calories even at rest. This way, guarana supplements can help with weight loss, as long as you maintain a suitable diet.

This is why guarana is often available as an herbal extract to aid in weight loss, due to its effect of increasing thermogenesis and acting on appetite control (anorexigenic effect).

Its ability to raise body temperature may contribute to a higher calorie expenditure, as it increases the percentage of fatty acids available for oxidation.

The result? On one hand, you can gain an important energy source, or in other words, a source that boosts your metabolism, even at rest, as mentioned above.

On the other hand, caffeine also has a diuretic effect, which can benefit those who tend to retain fluids, provided other healthy habits are maintained.

3. Antioxidant Properties

Thanks to catechins, which help fight free radicals and slow down cellular ageing. Once absorbed, catechins can reduce oxidative stress, which is often associated with cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders, among other health conditions.

4. Supports Cardiovascular Health

5. Guarana and Athletic Performance

Caffeine, when used in cycles rather than routinely, significantly enhances physical performance for athletes. As an allowed ergogenic aid, you can take it without worrying about failing a doping test.

6. Pain Relief

Guarana has been used to treat pain and chronic fatigue syndrome, thanks to its analgesic properties that calm and reduce pain resulting from nerve disorders (neurasthenia). Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties.

7. Supports Digestive Health

Its effectiveness in treating bloating (commonly known as gas) is well-known, as is its ability to help with dyspepsia or indigestion.

8. Acts as a Bronchodilator and Diuretic

These properties are due to its richness in xanthine compounds. Guarana extract contains alkaloids, such as theophylline and theobromine, which in humans stimulate the central nervous system, increase gastric acid secretion, and act as a bronchodilator and diuretic.

9. Cognitive Support

Its stimulating effect also supports focus, often referred to as “mental sharpness.” Increased focus and improved mental acuity have a positive effect on the stimulation of the central nervous system.

One of guarana’s most notable benefits is its support for studying ability and problem-solving skills.

10. Increases Libido

Yes, you read that right. Guarana has interesting properties that enhance sexual health, particularly in increasing potency and libido.

As such, guarana is an aphrodisiac with the added benefit of being an invigorating agent that, while not improving erection, supports energy and stamina, enhancing the quality of intimate relations.

Differences Between Guarana and Anhydrous Caffeine

The main difference between guarana and commercially available caffeine (anhydrous) is that the latter works faster but has a shorter duration. In contrast, guarana’s caffeine provides a gradual effect with a longer duration.

Keep this in mind when choosing one or the other, based on your planned activity. And if in doubt, here’s a solution: they can be combined.

In short, guarana is slightly slower but highly effective, gradually increasing energy. It’s ideal for those looking to improve performance without the intense effects of caffeine found in energy drinks.

Who Should Take It?

While guarana can be used for many purposes, certain groups may benefit particularly from its effects:

Keep in mind that continuous consumption of guarana leads to adaptation, and thus a reduction in its effects, meaning it gradually stops acting as a stimulant for the body. People with cardiovascular health issues should avoid guarana unless they have medical authorisation.

How to Take Guarana

Ready to try guarana? Keep in mind that you can find it as a pure guarana supplement, or as part of a formula that combines this active ingredient with other compounds specifically suited for those aiming for fat loss.

Regarding the recommended daily dose, it varies for each individual, as tolerance levels depend on sensitivity thresholds. Generally, standardised doses of guarana range from 200-800 mg, and it’s best to start with a lower dose and observe how it affects you.

For treating seizures or headaches, take small doses spread throughout the day.

What Are the Side Effects?

When taken in recommended amounts, guarana usually has no side effects. However, in high doses, it shares the same side effects as caffeine:

Who Should Not Take It?

Certain groups should avoid or limit guarana consumption, including:

Where to Buy Guarana?

In the HSN online store, you can buy high-quality guarana supplements at unbeatable prices.

Do you feel ready to buy guarana? If you still have questions, we’re here to help clarify them as soon as you reach out to us.

Guarana Extract (6:1) 400mg

Guarana Extract Powder (6:1)