Guarana – Latest Research Included

Guarana is an indigenous Amazonian plant from the soapberry family known as Sapindaceae. The scientific name for it is Paullinia cupana( P. cupana).

Guarana is a source of caffeine and similar chemicals like theophylline and theobromine. These chemicals may stimulate the nervous system's central nerves, the heart muscles, and the heart and could influence how guarana is used.

Numerous health benefits, like antioxidant benefits in the form of anti-cancer effects and the ability to improve brain and heart health, are associated with consuming Guarana. It is a practical, widely used food supplement.

This article explains the information you need to be aware of about guarana, including the research to support its claims about health benefits as well as potential side effects and interactions with other medications and supplements, as well as other safety information.

Dietary supplements aren't regulated like other drugs within the United States. They may interact with other medications or trigger other safety issues.

This is why being aware of what you should look out for when deciding on a supplement for example, third-party testing possible drug interactions, and much more is crucial.

Supplement Facts

• active Ingredient(s): Caffeine Theophylline, caffeine, theobromine
• Alternate Names(s): Guarana, Paullinia cupana, P. cupana, Brazillian cocoa, cacao Bresilien, guarana seed extract, guaranine, zoom
• Legal Status Food, the substances that are added to food items, and nutritional supplements
• Suggestion for Dosage may differ in accordance with the dosage type and medical health condition
• Security Considerations Potential interaction, side effects with special considerations for pregnant women and children during breastfeeding

Uses of Guarana

The use of supplements should be considered individual and evaluated by a healthcare professional like pharmacist, registered dietitian or healthcare professional. Supplements are not intended to treat, cure or prevent illness.

Although more research is needed in regards to effectiveness, most people utilize guarana to treat a variety of health issues.

Research is most reliable for the following reasons:

• Antioxidant effects
• Brain Health
• Cancer
• Heart health, which includes diabetes and obesity

Antioxidant Effects

A review article examined an in-depth clinical trial where healthy participants consumed three grams (g) in guarana a day. The results of this short-term study suggested that guarana helped reduce the damage caused by free radicals (unstable molecules created by normal metabolism of cells). In turn, Guarana could have antioxidant properties.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals which may damage the elements and systems in the body, such as the genetic material DNA.

As this was a brief and brief study, further thorough research involving more important and more long-term clinical trials is essential to assess the the effects of guarana.

Brain Health

An article in a review showed that guarana was a great aid to memory, alertness, attention and the speed of reaction.

Although the results were favorable Some studies mixed the guarana extract with minerals, vitamins and other nutritional supplements and exercise.

Therefore, assessing the effects of guarana can be difficult. Clinical trials of the future should investigate more standardized guarana product and dosages.

Cancer

Cancer treatment can have a variety of adverse side effects.

Numerous clinical trials have proven the efficacy of the use of guarana to alleviate some negative side effects that occur from having cancer or cancer-targeted treatments:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Sleepiness and drowsiness
• Fatigue (excessive tiredness)
• Hot flashes
• Poor appetite
• Sleeping disorders
• Weight loss

Although the results are promising, more studies are required since guarana was found to be a favorable treatment for patients with specific kinds of cancer.

Heart Health

A review article analyzed the benefits of consuming guarana at minimum every two weeks in people who are older.

Based on the findings of the study the fruit was associated with less adverse impacts. It reduces the severity of disease because of preexisting metabolic syndrome (a category of health conditions which increase the risk of developing heart disease).

Although the results are encouraging however, further research using clinical trials of high-quality is required to determine the extent that guarana can reduce effects of metabolic syndrome.

Getty Images / Anselmo Garrido.

What Are the Side Effects of Guarana?

As with other medications and natural products, guarana may be associated with adverse effects.

Common Side Effects

Guarana's most common side effects are:

• Tachycardia (rapid beat)
• Sleep problems
• Stomach upset

Severe Side Effects

The risk of severe side effects is high in the case of large doses of guarana.

Examples of serious adverse effects are:

• serious allergic reaction An extreme allergic reaction can be a serious adverse reaction that can occur in any drug and natural products. It can be accompanied by breathing problems itching, rash, or itchiness.
• Abnormal heart rate and rhythm The large amount of guarana can appear similar to a coffee overdose and cause signs that indicate cardiac arrhythmia (abnormal heart rate and rhythm).

If you're experiencing a severe allergic reaction or your symptoms are like they could be life-threatening, dial 911and seek medical assistance immediately.

Precautions

A medical professional may recommend against the use of guarana if any of the following applies to you:

Extremely allergic reactions Do not take guarana when you're suffering from an allergic reaction to it or any other ingredients or components in the supplements. If you want clarification regarding whether or not it's appropriate for you, speak to an experienced dietitian, physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional for more details.

Pregnancy Guarana is an plant that has a high caffeine content. Caffeine can increase your blood pressure, heart rate and urine production.

Other possible effects include nausea, indigestion, tremors, and sleep issues. When you're pregnant, you could have a greater sensitivity of the matters.

In terms of the impact on the unborn foetus there are conflicting reports about caffeine's effect on miscarriages, preterm births and the low birth weights of babies.

However, adverse reactions are not likely when you consume daily amounts of caffeine, such as 300 milligrams (mg) or less than one-to-two cups of coffee a day.

As more research is required on guarana consult a doctor to discuss benefits and the risks of using guarana in pregnancy.

Breastfeeding Guarana is an natural source of caffeine. Because of this, it is likely to be similar to the effects of breastfeeding infants.

For instance the equivalent of 10 cups coffee a day for a mother who is breastfeeding may cause too much stress for the breastfeeding infant. The infant who is nursing may be prone to tremors, fussiness and sleep problems when exposed to the high levels of caffeine. More than the 450 milliliters (mL) of coffee a day may lower the levels of iron within breastmilk, which can increase the risk of having lower iron levels and anemia among nursing infants.

In general, you should restrict your consumption of coffee to an amount of 300- 500 mg 5 cups daily. The recommended doses are suitable for infants who are that are three weeks or older however preterm and newborn babies tend to flush out caffeine in a slower manner.

Thus, ensure that you make sure you use guarana in a controlled manner. Before you begin using guarana consult with a medical professional to discuss advantages and potential dangers.

Adults older than 65 older adults took part in a few studies involving guarana. However, generally speaking more thorough studies on guarana are required.

Furthermore, older people tend to suffer from side effects of medication as compared to younger individuals. Therefore, those with this demographic must be aware of the dangers of Guarana.

Children Children: Children can receive caffeine from many sources, including beverages and food items that are plant-based, like guarana.

Based on an analysis of systematic studies (a systematic review of of research studies) caffeine can produce positive and negative effects on children. Positive effects include enhancing the brain's functioning and improving athletic performances. However, caffeine can alter their sleep pattern, growth rate, weight gain and mood.

Consult a doctor If you're thinking about guarana for your child.

Animals There have been reports of dogs getting poisoned due to herbal remedies which contain the guarana.

It could be a sign of:

• Balance issues
• Coma
• Diarrhea
• A lot of thirst
• The temperature has increased
• The loss of bladder control
• Seizures
• Problems with walking
• Vomiting

Before consuming guarana for animals, consult a vet to discuss advantages and potential possible risks.

Heart diseases High doses of Guarana could be similar to the symptoms of an overdose of caffeine, including irregular heart rate and rhythm.

Thus, a doctor might want to keep an eye on you and make any changes to your medication carefully.

Liver issues Guarana is a source of plants that have substances that resemble green tea. These chemicals could play an impact on liver damage that is associated with green tea consumption.

Although there is no evidence of liver damage caused by the use of guarana for long periods, guarana usage in high doses is not advised for those with liver disorders.

seizures: Guarana may work against anti-seizure drugs and increase the risk of having seizures. Your doctor may wish to keep you on watch and make any adjustments to your medication if you suffer from seizures.

Dosage: How Much Guarana Should I Use?

Always consult your doctor prior to using a supplement in order to confirm that the dosage and supplement are suitable for your needs.

While a few research on the effects of guarana on humans are available, further research using high-quality clinical trials is essential.

Therefore, there is no standard on the proper dosage of guarana to treat any illness.

The exact dose can vary depending on the dosage type and any medical issues you might have. If you are using guarana and are a medical professional, you should follow their prescriptions or the instructions on the product's label.

What Happens If I Use Too Much Guarana?

More information regarding dangers, safety and the risk of overdose in humans is required. Guarana's toxicity closely resembles the effects of an overdose.

The signs of an overdose could include:

• Heart arrhythmia
• Tachycardia

A systematic review revealed that the risk of side effects could be less of a problem when the dosages for daily use are between 500-1000 mg.

In another review, clinical trials studied daily doses of guarana that ranged from 3,000 to 4,000 mg.

If you suspect you're experiencing life-threatening side effects, seek immediate medical attention.

Interactions

Guarana could interact with the following drugs:

• Amiodarone: Amiodarone is a medicine for heart arrhythmias. Guarana, however, can lower the levels of amiodarone, which can reduce its effectiveness. Because of this, doctors may suggest against taking guarana when you are taking amiodarone.
• Anti-seizure medications: Guarana might work against anti-seizure medicines. As an example, guarana can lower the Lamictal (lamotrigine) level and also increase the risk of having seizures. Health professionals may advise against the use of guarana when you are taking lamotrigine to treat seizures.

It is crucial to take the time to go through a supplement's list of ingredients and nutritional facts panel to find out what ingredients are included and the amount of each ingredient are included. Check the label on the supplement with your physician to discuss any possible interactions with other foods, supplements and medicines.

How to Store Guarana

Storage instructions will differ for each product. Take care to read the instructions carefully and label on the packaging container.

Unless directed otherwise, medications and supplements must be stored in a dry, cool area. Close the medicine tightly and keep it away from the from the reach of pets and children best kept in a closet or cabinet.

Recycle after a year or when stated on the label. Beware of putting expired and unused medications in the garbage or flushing them down the toilet. Go to the FDA website to find out what to do with all expired and unopened medication.

There are also garbage bins in your neighborhood.

Ask your pharmacist or healthcare professional for any questions on what to do with your prescriptions or natural products.

If you are planning to travel with guarana be aware of the rules of your destination. It is possible to use the U.S. Embassy website may also prove to be a useful source.

Discuss with your healthcare professional for advice on how to travel with medication or natural product in the event of need.

Similar Supplements

Guarana could have antioxidant properties. Other potential uses for Guarana could include supporting brain health as well as reducing the side effects of cancer or treatments for it and reducing one's chance of suffering from heart disease.

Other supplements similar to this could include:

• Some B vitamins The long-term use of certain B vitamins could reduce the severity of memory issues for older people. The B vitamins that are mentioned could include the pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and folic acid (vitamin B9) and the cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12).
• Garlic Metabolic syndrome is a set of medical conditions that can increase the risk of heart disease. The most common of these are high blood pressure as well as high cholesterol. Garlic could reduce blood pressure, however there is no evidence to support decreasing cholesterol.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids Based on available information omega-3 fatty acids derived that are derived from eating fish could aid in preventing memory loss that is worsening for older adults.
• Vitamins C or E Vitamin C and E are both antioxidants. However, according to the Women's Antioxidant Cardiovascular Study, neither vitamin had beneficial effects on heart-related incidents like stroke and cardiac arrest. They also did not hinder changes in brain function.

Make sure to combine natural supplements after consulting with a doctor or pharmacist. A thorough review to avoid dangerous interactions and negative side effects, and also ensure that you're giving the supplements a fair test in the right dosages.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Is there a most commonly used dosage of guarana supplements?
• Guarana supplements can be found in a variety of dosage forms, with capsules the most commonly used.
• Are there any Guarana-related products made within the United States?
• Yes. Companies in the United States make guarana products.
• How can I safely consume Guarana?
• To ensure that you are taking natural products, such as Guarana, inform your healthcare provider and pharmacists of any changes to your medication. This includes prescriptions (OTC) herbal, natural medications as well as supplements.Your health care provider can help avoid possible interactions and adverse negative effects. They will also make sure you're providing guarana with a fair trial in the appropriate dosages.

Sources of Guarana & What to Look For

There are many sources of Guarana, however nutrition guidelines generally recommend supplements over food sources.

While foods are the best option but supplements are still a good option for those who struggle with getting nutrients into their system, like those with certain age groups or who have particular medical health conditions.

Food Sources of Guarana

Guarana is available naturally as an indigenous Amazonian Paullinia cupana (P. cupana) plant that belongs to the Sapindaceae family of soapberries.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) generally classifies the guarana plant or P. cupana as food.

Guarana is prepared by shelling and washing P. cupana seeds. After that, the seeds are dried, roasted and then crushed (grounded) to form a fine powder.

The powder is used to make tea or as flavoring agent. The FDA added guarana to the approved list of ingredients that can be added to food items.

Guarana is also a common ingredient in energy drinks.

Guarana Supplements

Guarana supplements are typically available in capsules.

Additional supplement forms are:

• Food bars
• Chewables or gum
• Liquid
• Lozenge
• Powder
• Tablets
• Wafers

Vegan and vegetarian alternatives may also be offered. There is also the possibility of guarana as a component of other ingredients.

National Institutes of Health: Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplement Label Database: Paullinia cupana.

Summary

Guarana is a natural source of an indigenous Amazonian plant belonging to the family of soapberries.

It may also have potential antioxidant effects, support for brain health and heart health support as well as relief from adverse effects of cancer or its treatments.

However, adverse effects and interactions are common just like any other medicine or natural product.

There are no conclusive evidence to support the claims that have been drawn on the effectiveness or safety of the guarana it should not be used as a substitute for an accurate diagnosis and treatment of any symptoms or ailments that you may be suffering from.

Before you use guarana for the first time, consult an experienced dietitian or pharmacist, or a medical professional to assist you in to achieve your health goals safely.