What is guarana and what are its effects?

Coffee is no longer the king of caffeine.

Although coffee is famous for its caffeine content and millions of people drink it to wake up early in the morning, there is another berry that has an even more powerful stimulating effect. Get to know guarana .

Guarana is a type of climbing plant that comes from the Amazon rainforest. It is found in Venezuela and some parts of Brazil. As a climbing plant, it clings to other plants and grows up on them, reaching a height of 12 meters. The guarana plant produces small, red or brown berries the size of a coffee bean; it contains black seeds covered with white flakes, which have a strange appearance reminiscent of eyeballs.

It may look harmless, but this little fruit is real rocket fuel. Guarana contains 4-6 times more caffeine than coffee, making it the king of the coffee kingdom. Each berry contains up to 4.5% caffeine. It is very often made into an ingredient in energetic drinks or guarana lemonade, such as Guarana Antarctica. Regarding the caffeine content in guarana seeds, in addition to increased energy levels, the seeds can also have other health effects because they contain antioxidants and other valuable substances, such as theobromine and theophylline, stimulants very similar to caffeine. In fact, studies show that guarana can do everything from improving skin health to increasing weight loss and more.

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The difference between coffee and guarana

Coffee is not for everyone. Its bitter taste and short-term energy boost may lead many of us to find another alternative. In such a case, guarana can be the ideal choice.

One of the great advantages of guarana over coffee is the lasting stimulation. The energy supply that guarana provides lasts longer than coffee; In addition, the stimulation is usually less nervous and has a clearer character. Guarana is absorbed slowly into the body, resulting in a sustained release of energy for several hours - which is in stark contrast to the rapid rise and fall we experience with coffee.

Not only does guarana contain a greater amount of caffeine than coffee, but it also contains other alkaloids and fats that can suppress feelings of hunger and thirst. This is one of the main reasons why guarana is often used in weight loss programs. Since only a tiny amount of powder is required, practically no calories are consumed.

 

The natural heat that guarana creates in the body is known as thermogenesis - a normal metabolic process that helps convert stored body fat into energy. While the caffeine contained in both coffee and guarana facilitates this process, it is further enhanced by the theobromine and theophylline contained in guarana.

As a result, guarana is extremely viable and in many ways a more suitable alternative to coffee. It provides constant energy without nervousness and contains antioxidants. One could argue that the quick jolt of coffee is what some people need in the morning to instantly perk them up; however, replacing coffee with guarana as a daily drink could potentially release longer-lasting energy to help you get through a busy day at work.

 

 

Bonuses that Guarana gives:

1. May limit the growth of cancer.

Guarana is rich in compounds with antioxidant properties. These include caffeine, theobromine, tannins, saponins and catechins. Antioxidants are beneficial compounds that help fight the formation of free radicals and prevent oxidative damage to cells. Not only that, studies in vitro have found that it can even protect against chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and skin aging.

2. Reduces fatigue and improves concentration.

Guarana is best known as an excellent source of caffeine, which helps maintain concentration and mental energy. Caffeine works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a compound that helps your brain relax. It binds to the adenosine receptors and prevents their activation.

3. Can help you learn better

Experiments have shown that guarana helps to learn and remember better. One study looked at the effects of different doses of guarana on mood and learning. Participants in this study received either no guarana or 37.5 mg, 75 mg, or 150 mg. People who were given guarana were more focused on their tasks and completed them more quickly.

4. May have properties that aid weight loss.

This is because of its caffeine content, which can increase metabolism by 3-11% within 12 hours. The faster metabolism means your body burns more calories at rest. Studies in vitro have also found that guarana can suppress the genes that support the formation of fat cells and promote the genes that slow it down.

5. Fights fatigue

Guarana is rich in caffeine, with its seeds containing a higher concentration of caffeine than coffee beans. Caffeine acts as a stimulant and influences the activity of some neurotransmitters in the brain, thereby increasing energy levels. That's why drinks like coffee and energy drinks are often used as a quick help for lack of energy and tiredness.

Some experiments suggest that, in addition to fighting physical fatigue, guarana may also help reduce mental fatigue. A study published in the journal Appetite showed that its use was able to reduce psychological fatigue associated with constant mental exertion in participants.

6. Can relieve chronic diarrhea and cure constipation.

Guarana has been used for centuries as a natural stomach tonic to treat digestive problems such as chronic diarrhea and constipation. It can be effective against diarrhea because it is rich in tannins or plant antioxidants. Tannins are plant compounds that prevent the excretion of excess water into the intestines and can therefore quickly stop diarrhea.

On the other hand, guarana is rich in caffeine, which can act as a natural laxative.

Caffeine stimulates peristalsis, which is a process that activates contractions in the intestinal and colon muscles.

This can relieve constipation by pushing the contents into the rectum. Low doses of guarana do not provide much caffeine, which is why they are more effective against diarrhea. High doses impart more caffeine and may have laxative effects.

7. Can relieve pain

Guarana has historically been used by Amazon tribes as a pain reliever. The pain-relieving properties of guarana are due to its high caffeine content. Caffeine plays a role in reducing pain because it binds to and blocks adenosine receptors. Two of these receptors - A1 and A2a - participate in stimulating the feeling of pain. When caffeine binds to these receptors, it can reduce the feeling of pain. This is one of the reasons why caffeine is commonly found in over-the-counter pain medications. Studies have shown that it can significantly increase their effects.

8. Keeps skin radiant

Thanks to its caffeine and antioxidant content, guarana is an excellent addition to natural skin care. Caffeine helps protect the skin from UV radiation. It also helps slow skin aging and supports blood circulation and flow. A study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology has shown that cosmetics containing guarana help tighten the skin and reduce wrinkles under and around the eyes.

Several in vitro studies have also shown that guarana can slow and suppress the formation of fat cells, thereby helping to reduce the amount of body fat.

9. May protect against age-related vision problems

Vision usually worsens gradually with age. Sun rays, poor diet and certain lifestyle choices such as smoking can wear down the eyes over time and increase the risk of an eye-related disorder. Guarana contains compounds that counteract oxidative stress, which is the main risk factor for age-related vision problems such as macular degeneration, cataracts and glaucoma. A study found that people who took guarana regularly reported better vision than people who took it moderately or not at all.

In the same studies, scientists conducted in vitro experiments to determine whether guarana could protect eye cells from compounds that produce oxidative stress. Compared to a placebo, guarana significantly reduced the amount of DNA damage and eye cell death.

Nevertheless, research in the area of ​​guarana and age-related vision impairment is limited by age. More human studies are needed before a recommendation can be made.

How should you take guarana?

Guarana supplements are available in many different forms: from guarana teas to guarana extract and more. Guarana seed powder is often added to drinks and products that are advertised as helping to naturally increase energy levels. It is often found in mixtures of other herbs and plants with thermogenic properties.

Although no official guidance is currently available for guarana dosage, most research shows that 1 to 2 grams 1-2 times daily may be most beneficial for adults. Stick to this dosage to maximize the potential health benefits and minimize the risk of adverse effects.

You can buy high-quality guarana capsules HERE and fine guarana powder HERE .

Thank you for reading this article,

Your team Kratom World