High doses AAlertness more caffeine and Low-carb grocery list have Guarana for Natural Alertness effects. Has Nafural Properties. Guarana is a dietary supplement that is known to Promoting optimal digestion many health benefits. Ginseng Highly authenticated and purified ginseng. The Food and Drug Administration FDA recommends mg as a safe daily caffeine limit for adults without medical conditions. Cognitive Performance Enhancement Induced by Caffeine, Carbohydrate and Guarana Mouth Rinsing during Submaximal Exercise It is also known to help improve digestion, reduce stress, and improve overall health.

Guarana for Natural Alertness -

But there also are some guarana side effects to be aware of. Guarana, also known by its scientific name Paullinia cupana, is a type of climbing plant that is native to the Amazon. This plant is prized for the seeds from its powerful fruit. The plant itself has large leaves and produces clusters of flowers.

It also produces small fruits that are about the same size as a coffee bean and range in color from red to brown. The fruit contains black seeds that are covered by white arils, giving them a unique appearance that closely resembles an eye.

The seeds are very high in caffeine. They are often used as an additive in energy drinks or guarana soda brands like Guarana Antarctica.

Because of the guarana seed caffeine content, the seeds may come with other health benefits besides boosting energy levels.

In fact, studies show that guarana could do everything from enhance skin health to increase weight loss and more. The fruit has a long history. It is deeply rooted in the mythology and culture of several indigenous South American groups. According to legend, the cultivation of this plant began after a deity killed one of the children from the village.

In an effort to console the people, the deity then plucked out the left eye of the child and planted it in the forest. This is where wild guarana is believed to have first originated. Studies show that guarana can have a powerful impact on focus and memory. In fact, one study out of the Human Cognitive Neuroscience Unit at Northumbria University in the U.

showed that low doses were able to improve both memory performance and alertness compared to a control group. Similarly, another study conducted at Northumbria University compared the effects of guarana and ginseng and reported that guarana seed extract was able to significantly enhance task performance and attention to a greater extent than ginseng.

Guarana fruit contains a wide range of potent antioxidants, including caffeine, tannins, saponins, theobromine and catechins. Antioxidants are beneficial compounds that can help fight free radical formation and prevent oxidative damage to cells. Not only that, but some research suggests that antioxidants can even protect against chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

Guarana is loaded with caffeine, with the seeds packing in a higher concentration of caffeine than even coffee beans. Caffeine acts as a stimulant and affects the activity of certain neurotransmitters in your brain to amp up energy levels.

This is why beverages like coffee and energy drinks are often used as a quick fix for low energy and fatigue. In addition to fighting physical fatigue, some research indicates that guarana can help reduce mental fatigue as well.

One study published in the journal Appetite showed that taking it was able to decrease mental fatigue associated with sustained mental effort in participants.

Guarana has long been used as a natural remedy for both constipation and diarrhea. It helps promote regularity and soothe digestive distress. Tannins are plant compounds that can prevent excess water from being excreted into the bowels to stop diarrhea fast. Research shows that the guarana seed benefits heart health in several different ways.

It can help prevent blood clots to reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke, according to research out of the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

Not only that, but it can also decrease the oxidation of LDL cholesterol in the blood. This can control the buildup of plaque in the arteries to prevent atherosclerosis. Guarana makes a great addition to any natural skin care routine thanks to its content of both caffeine and antioxidants.

Caffeine helps protect the skin against UV radiation. It also slows down photoaging of the skin and promotes circulation and blood flow. One study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology showed that cosmetics containing guarana helped reduce skin sagging and minimized wrinkles underneath and around the eyes.

Although current research is mostly limited to in vitro studies and animal models, preliminary evidence suggests that guarana could help effectively reduce the growth and spread of certain types of cancer cells. For instance, one animal study showed that administering it to mice reduced liver cancer proliferation by 58 percent and increased cancer cell death by nearly fivefold.

Other studies have had similar findings. Results show it may help decrease the growth of colon and breast cancer cells as well. Guarana is often used as a weight loss aid. In fact, there are many guarana weight loss products, pills and supplements to help ramp up fat-burning and shed extra pounds.

This is partly due to its content of caffeine. Caffeine has been shown to boost metabolism by up to 11 percent over a hour period in research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Plus, several in vitro studies also show that guarana may slow and inhibit the production of fat cells to help decrease body fat.

Guarana supplements are available in many different forms, ranging from guarana tea to guarana extract and beyond. Guarana seed powder is also often added to beverages and products advertised to help naturally boost energy levels. Although there are no official guarana dosage guidelines available at present, most research shows that doses between 50—70 milligrams may be the most beneficial.

Stick to this dosage to maximize the potential health benefits and minimize the risk of adverse side effects. Low doses of guarana are generally safe and come with minimal risk of adverse side effects. In fact, multiple animal models have found that it has a low toxicity , even when consumed regularly.

Not only is caffeine highly addictive, but it can cause several negative effects on health. Breastfeeding : Guarana is a source of caffeine. For this reason, guarana will likely have similar effects as caffeine on nursing infants. For example, 10 cups of coffee per day from a breastfeeding parent might be too much for a nursing infant.

The breastfeeding infant may experience fussiness, tremors, and sleeping problems at these high amounts of caffeine. And more than milliliters mL of coffee per day can reduce iron levels in breast milk, increasing the chances of low iron levels and anemia in nursing infants.

In general, try to limit the amount of coffee to a maximum of to mg, or five cups of coffee per day. These amounts are likely safe for babies at least 3 weeks old. But preterm and newborn infants tend to clear out caffeine slower. Therefore, be sure to use guarana with caution.

Before you use guarana, contact a healthcare provider to discuss the benefits and risks. Adults over age 65 : Older adults participated in some guarana-related studies. In general, however, more rigorous research on guarana is still needed.

Moreover, older adults are generally more likely to have medication side effects than younger people. For this reason, people in this population should use caution with guarana. Children : Children may get caffeine from various sources, such as plant-based foods and drinks—like guarana.

According to a systematic review a methodical review of a collection of studies , caffeine may have positive and negative effects on children. Positive ones may include supporting brain function and athletic performance. But caffeine may adversely affect their sleep pattern, weight gain, growth rate, and mood.

Talk with a healthcare provider if you're considering guarana for your child. Animals : There are reports of poisoning in dogs from herbal products that contain guarana. Symptoms may include:. Before using guarana in animals, you can contact a veterinarian to talk about the benefits and risks.

Heart conditions : High doses of guarana may be similar to caffeine overdose symptoms, such as abnormal heart rhythm and rate. Therefore, a healthcare provider may want to monitor you and make any necessary medication adjustments closely. Liver problems : Guarana has some similar plant substances as green tea.

And these substances might have a role in liver toxicity associated with green tea use. While there are no reports of liver injury with guarana, long-term guarana use at high doses isn't recommended in people with liver problems.

Seizures : Guarana may work against anti-seizure medications and increase your risk of seizures. A healthcare provider may want to monitor you closely and make any necessary medication adjustments if you have seizures. Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.

While some studies on guarana in humans exist, more research with high-quality clinical trials is still necessary. For this reason, there are no guidelines on the appropriate dosage to use of guarana for any condition.

The specific dose may vary based on the dosage form and any medical conditions you may have. If you use guarana, follow a healthcare provider's recommendations or product label instructions.

More information about the safety, toxicity, and overdose of guarana in humans is needed. However, guarana toxicity likely resembles that of a caffeine overdose. Signs of a potential overdose include:. Per a systematic review, side effects might be less of an issue with maximum daily guarana doses of between and 1, mg.

But in another review, clinical trials studied daily guarana doses of 3, mg. If you suspect you're experiencing life-threatening side effects, seek immediate medical attention.

Guarana might interact with the following medications:. It is essential to carefully read a supplement's ingredients list and nutrition facts panel to learn which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included.

Please review the supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications. Storage instructions may vary by product.

Carefully read the directions and packaging label on the container. Generally, medicines and supplements should be stored in a cool, dry place unless otherwise instructed.

Keep your medications tightly closed and out of the sight and reach of children and pets, ideally locked in a cabinet or closet. Discard after one year or as indicated on the packaging.

Avoid putting unused and expired products down the drain or in the toilet. Visit the FDA website to learn where and how to discard all unused and expired medications. You can also find disposal boxes in your area.

Ask a pharmacist or healthcare provider any questions about how to dispose of your medications or natural products. If you plan to travel with guarana, get familiar with your final destination's regulations.

Also, the U. Embassy website may be a helpful resource. Ask a healthcare provider how to travel with your medications or natural products if necessary.

Guarana has potential antioxidant effects. Another possible use of guarana is supporting brain health, relieving side effects of cancer or its treatments, and lowering your risk of heart disease. Other similar supplements may include:. Only combine multiple natural products after talking with a healthcare provider, pharmacist, or dietitian.

Checking in can help you avoid possible harmful interactions and side effects and ensure you're giving these supplements a fair trial at appropriate doses. Guarana supplements are available in several different dosage forms—with capsules being the most common.

Manufacturers in the United States make guarana products. To safely take natural products—like guarana—inform your healthcare providers and pharmacists about any medication changes. This includes over-the-counter OTC , herbal, natural medicines, and supplements. Your healthcare provider can help prevent possible interactions and side effects.

There are several sources of guarana, but nutrition guidelines typically favor food sources over supplements. Although food sources are preferable, there is still a place for supplements for people who have trouble absorbing nutrients, such as people in certain age groups or with certain medical conditions.

Guarana is naturally available as a native Amazonian Paullinia cupana P. cupana plant from the soapberry family called Sapindaceae. The U. Department of Agriculture USDA generally categorizes guarana or P. cupana as food. Guarana is made by shelling and washing the P. cupana seeds. Afterward, the seeds are dried, roasted, and crushed grounded into a powder.

This powder can be used to prepare tea. It's also used as a flavoring agent. In fact, the FDA placed guarana on its approved list of substances added to food. Guarana is also commonly found in energy drinks. Guarana supplements are commonly available as capsules.

Other supplement forms include:. Vegetarian and vegan options might also be available. You may also see guarana in combination with other ingredients. Guarana is naturally available as a native Amazonian plant from the soapberry family.

It may have potential antioxidant effects, brain health support, heart health support, and relief from the side effects of cancer or its treatments. But like any medication or natural product, side effects and interactions are possible.

And because no conclusions have been made regarding the efficacy and safety of guarana, it should not be taken in place of getting an accurate diagnosis and treatment for any symptoms or conditions you may have. Before using guarana, involve a registered dietitian, pharmacist, or healthcare provider to help you safely achieve your health goals.

Encyclopaedia Britannica. United States Department of Agriculture. FoodData Central: Paullinia cupana. National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary supplement label database: Paullinia cupana. Food and Drug Administration.

Substances added to food formerly EAFUS : Paullinia cupana. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases: LiverTox. Clinical and research information of drug-induced liver injury: guarana.

Curran CP, Marczinski CA. Taurine, caffeine, and energy drinks: reviewing the risks to the adolescent brain. Birth Defects Res. Morgan S, Koren G, Bozzo P. Is caffeine consumption safe during pregnancy?

Can Fam Physician. Medeiros Marques LL, Dias Fiuza Ferreira E, Nascimento de Paula M, et al. Paullinia cupana : a multipurpose plant - a review. Rev Bras Farmacogn. Torres EAFS, Pinaffi-Langley ACDC, Figueira MS, et al.

Effects of the consumption of guarana on human health: a narrative review. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf.

Guarana is a fog Guarana for Natural Alertness present Low-carb grocery list many energy drinks. It contains several bioactive compounds and may have Guaraha health benefits, Pre-workout nutrition as increasing A,ertness levels and enhancing cognition. Guarana fkr an extract from the seeds of an Amazon Basin plant known as Paullinia cupana P. The consumption of guarana dates back centuries in Brazil. Some of its traditional uses include a source of energy and a remedy for headache and fever. cupana seeds contain all three chemicals, making guarana an effective energy booster and a common ingredient in popular energy drinks. Categories Alpha Search. Amino Acids. Blood Sugar Giarana. Bone Support. Brain Nutrition. Cellular Immune Support.