What is Guarana?

Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a plant that belongs to the Sapindaceae family. It is a climber plant that originates from the Amazon and is very common in Brazil. Guarana produces large leaves, a vast cluster of flowers and fruits that have seeds in them. Guarana seeds are used as stimulants and contain more caffeine than two times as collected in coffee beans. Guarana contains a plethora of benefits that contribute to the health of man.

Uses of Guarana

Guarana has several uses; some of these uses are highlighted below:

1. The extracts from guarana seed can be used as food additives to add flavor to food substances.

2. Guarana seed is used in the production of beverages and carbonated soft drinks.

3. Guarana is also used in the production of supplement capsules for diet.

4. Guarana is used to produce cosmetics products such as cream, soaps, lotions, etc.

Traditional uses of Guarana

Guarana has many curative and potent properties for which it has been in use for years. Guarana is consumed as an energy drink because, according to history, it gave hunters more energy whenever they finished it so that they could go a day without eating or feeling hungry. Guarana is also used as a stimulant, a tonic, and an antidote to cure headaches, dysentery, high fever, and diarrhea. However, despite all these benefits, you should not consume too much to avoid adverse effects on the body.

Surprising facts about Guarana

There are many surprising and interesting facts about guarana. Some of the points are considered below.

Guarana is a fruit that resembles an eyeball having a fleshy white fruit around the dark brown seeds.

Guarana originates from the Amazon basin and has been in use for its benefits since the 18th century.

Guarana is used in the production of many energy drinks consumed today.

The guarana seeds' size is similar to the size of coffee beans, however, they contain twice as much caffeine twice as coffee beans.

Guarana also has some tiny amounts of theobromine and theophylline, like caffeine, but they have different effects on the body.

Health Benefits of Guarana and why myAir bars contain it

Guarana possesses a wide range of properties responsible for its benefits and effects on the well-being of man. Some of these benefits are treated below.

1. Guarana helps to relieve pain

According to history, guarana originates from Amazon, and this tribe used guarana as a pain reliever. Guarana is very high in caffeine, which gives this miracle plant the ability to relieve pain since it helps bind and block adenosine receptors. For this reason, guarana is often used in the production of pain-relief medicines. Research shows that the addition of caffeine in the production of pain relief drugs significantly promotes the effects of the drugs in the body.

Guarana can help relieve pain because it contains caffeine which serves to bind and block receptors that stimulate pain.

2. Guarana contains antioxidants properties that help to fight diseases

Many compounds are embedded in the guarana plant, which is rich in antioxidants, just like green tea. Some of these compounds are saponins, caffeine, catechins, and theobromine. The function of these antioxidants in the body is the neutralization of harmful molecules known as free radicals, which are capable of causing damage in the body and leading to several diseases.

The test-tube study discovered that the antioxidants properties of guarana lead to a reduction in skin aging.

Guarana possesses many valuable compounds such as caffeine, tannins, and catechins; these compounds have antioxidant properties that give them the ability to fight against some diseases in the body.

3. Guarana can be used to enhance weight loss

Obesity is increasing on a high rise, and it is linked to many chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. It is part of the estimation that at least one among three adult Americans is obese. On the bright side, guarana has been discovered to possess properties that can help enhance weight loss. According to known and stated facts earlier, guarana contains caffeine which helps to boost a fast metabolism making the body burn more calories even at rest.

Test-tube studies also discovered that guarana could help suppress genes that may aid in producing fat cells and enhance the genes that slow down the production of fat cells.

Guarana can aid weight loss because it contains caffeine which is capable of slowing down metabolism. Guarana can also suppress genes that help produce fat cells and enhance the genes that slow down the production of fat cells.

4. Guarana can help to reduce fatigue and enhance focus

Guarana is a well-known ingredient that is used in the production of popular energy drinks. Since guarana contains caffeine, it provides the ability to help maintain focus and mental energy. Adenosine, which causes the brain to relax, is blocked by caffeine and therefore prevents it from being activated.

A study was carried out in which some people became less tired while completing several tests after consuming vitamin supplements that contained guarana. This was done in contrast to the people who consumed a placebo.

Guarana can reduce tiredness and aid the enhancement of focus because it contains a high quantity of caffeine. Guarana also helps block the effects of adenosine that causes drowsiness, thereby getting the brain relaxed and refreshed.

5. Guarana can help relieve diarrhea and constipation

For many centuries, guarana has been used as a natural stomach tonic in treating digestive issues such as constipation and diarrhea. Guarana contains tannins which have anti-diarrhea properties; tannins can bind and contract tissues in the body. This process aids in waterproofing the digestive tract walls, thereby causing a restriction in the quantity of water present in the bowels.

Guarana can also act as a laxative because of the caffeine present in it. Peristalsis is stimulated by caffeine; peristalsis is a process that allows contractions in the muscles of the colon and intestines. It eventually leads to relief from constipation through the movement of the contents into the rectum. High doses of guarana produce more caffeine, which enhances laxative effects. In contrast, low amounts of guarana have less caffeine, therefore less anti-diarrhea properties.

The presence of tannins in guarana prevents water loss, thereby aiding the relief of diarrhea. Also, caffeine in guarana is responsible for stimulating contractions in the colon and the intestines and helps relieve constipation.

6. Guarana helps to enhance the health of the heart

One out of four deaths in America is due to heart disease. However, guarana can help to reduce the risk of heart diseases in two distinct ways. The first way, according to studies, is that guarana helps to reduce the oxidation of bad LDL cholesterol which causes the buildup of plaques in the arteries. The second way is that the presence of antioxidants in guarana helps to allow the flow of blood, thereby preventing the blood from clotting.

Furthermore, up to 27% less LDL is oxidized in the body of adults that consume guarana in contrast to those of the same age group who do not drink it.

Guarana reduces the oxidization rate of bad LDL cholesterol in the body. Guarana can also help improve the heart's health by improving blood flow, thereby preventing clotting.

7. Guarana can help to prevent bacterial infections

Guarana is composed of so many compounds that have anti-bacterial properties, thereby killing bacterial in the body. An example of a bacterial in the body that attacks the intestines in man is Escherichia coli (E. coli). Although most Escherichia coli bacteria are not harmful to the body, some are capable of causing ailments such as diarrhea.

Studies also discovered that guarana could stop the growth of bacteria that can cause tooth decay and dental plaques, known as mutans (S. mutans). It is believed that the anti-bacterial effects that guarana possesses are a result of the combination of caffeine and some plant-based compounds such as tannins or catechins present in it.

Guarana possesses anti-bacterial properties because of its compounds; these compounds can prevent bacterial infections in the body.

8. Guarana can help to improve the mental health for a better learning

According to research, guarana has been proven to improve one's ability to learn and remember things. A study was carried out wherein the researchers used different doses of guarana to discover the effects on one’s learning and mood. The models were given either 37.5 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg, or 300 mg, and the researchers didn't receive any doses at all. Those who took 37.5 mg or 75 mg of guarana had the highest test results. 

The researchers, therefore, concluded that since low amounts of caffeine are present in low doses of guarana, it is believed that some of the other compounds apart from caffeine present in guarana might be responsible for the effects produced.

Another study was carried out based on the comparison of guarana to ginseng - another compound that boosts the brain's functionality. Both guarana and ginseng caused an improvement in the memory and test performance of the models. Still, they discovered that those who took guarana were more attentive and completed their work faster than those that took ginseng. In conclusion, animal studies also observed that guarana could improve the functionality of memory.

According to studies, low doses of guarana can help improve learning, memory, and mood. The presence of caffeine and some other compounds in guarana makes these effects possible.

9. Guarana can help to improve the appearance of the skin

Guarana possesses antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, which makes it a popular ingredient in the cosmetics industry for the production of soaps, lotions, creams, and hair products.

Test-tube studies prove that the presence of some antioxidants in guarana can cause a decrease in the damage of the skin related to aging.

Animal studies also declare that cosmetics made of guarana can help prevent or reduce sagging in cheeks, minimize wrinkles, and enhance the tightness of the skin.

Guarana is very useful in the cosmetics industry because it possesses both antimicrobial and antioxidants properties. These properties help reduce damage to the skin as a result of aging, minimize sagging and wrinkling of the skin, and enhance blood flow through the skin.

Conclusion

Guarana has many properties, including antioxidative, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal, which are responsible for improving man's health. Guarana can be processed into drinks, used as flavor also for the production of skin products, all to enhance the health and well-being of men. Good news - myAir bars are packed with guarana!

Footnotes

Benefits of Guarana

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/guarana-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_12

Guaraná (Paullinia cupana Kunth) effects on LDL oxidation in elderly people: an in vitro and in vivo study

Rafael de Lima Portella et al. Lipids Health Dis. 2013.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23391102/

Improved cognitive performance and mental fatigue following a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement with added guaraná (Paullinia cupana)

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18077056/

Purified dry extract of Paullinia cupana (guaraná) (PC-18) for chemotherapy-related fatigue in patients with solid tumors: an early discontinuation study

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24237188/

A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose evaluation of the acute behavioural effects of guaraná in humans

C F Haskell et al. J Psychopharmacol. 2007 Jan.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16533867/

Improved cognitive performance in human volunteers following administration of guarana (Paullinia cupana) extract: comparison and interaction with Panax ginseng

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0091305704002710

Guarana (Paullinia cupana) ameliorates memory impairment and modulates acetylcholinesterase activity in Poloxamer-407-induced hyperlipidemia in rat brain

Jader B Ruchel et al. Physiol Behav. 2017.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27720901/

Modulatory Effects of Guarana (Paullinia cupana) on Adipogenesis

Natália da Silva Lima et al. Nutrients. 2017.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28632199/

Studies on the nature of anti-platelet aggregatory factors in the seeds of the Amazonian Herb Guarana (Paullinia cupana)

M T Ravi Subbiah et al. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 2008 Mar.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18791978/

Guaraná (Paullinia cupana Kunth) effects on LDL oxidation in elderly people: an in vitro and in vivo study

Rafael de Lima Portella, Rômulo Pillon Barcelos, […]Felix Alexandre Antunes Soares

https://lipidworld.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1476-511X-12-12

Anti-Aging and Antioxidant Potential of Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis: Findings in Caenorhabditis elegans Indicate a New Utilization for Roasted Seeds of Guarana

Herbenya Peixoto et al. Medicines (Basel). 2017.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28930275/

Dermal penetration of creatine from a face-care formulation containing creatine, guarana and glycerol is linked to effective antiwrinkle and antisagging efficacy in male subjects

Reto I Peirano et al. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2011 Dec.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22151935/

Protective effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart. var. Sorbilis) against DEN-induced DNA damage on mouse liver

H Fukumasu et al. Food Chem Toxicol. 2006 Jun.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16406177/

Paullinia cupana Mart var. sorbilis, guaraná, reduces cell proliferation and increases apoptosis of B16/F10 melanoma lung metastases in mice

H Fukumasu et al. Braz J Med Biol Res. 2008 Apr.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18392453/

Guaraná a Caffeine-Rich Food Increases Oxaliplatin Sensitivity of Colorectal HT-29 Cells by Apoptosis Pathway Modulation

Francine Carla Cadoná et al. Anticancer Agents Med Chem. 2016.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26673759/

Antioxidant capacity and in vitro prevention of dental plaque formation by extracts and condensed tannins of Paullinia cupana

Elza Yamaguti-Sasaki et al. Molecules. 2007

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17960098/

Genotoxic and mutagenic effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana) in prokaryotic organisms

C A da Fonseca et al. Mutat Res. 1994 May

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7513067/