Guarana
| Guaraná | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Division: | |
| Class: | |
| Order: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | P. cupana
|
| Binomial name | |
| Paullinia cupana | |
Guarana or Guaraná (IPA: [gu̯a.ra.'na], [gu̯a.ɾa.'na] or [gu̯a.ɹa.'na]), Paullinia cupana (syn. P. crysan, P. sorbilis), is a shrub or small tree in the Sapindaceae family. It is native to Venezuela and northern Brazil. The seed of the Guaraná fruit is a stimulant with thermogenic and diuretic properties.
The guaraná fruit's color ranges from orange to red and contain black seeds which are partly covered by white arils. The color contrast when the fruit has been split open has been likened to eyeballs; this is the basis of a myth (see below).[1]
Guaraná plays an important role in Tupi and Guaraní Brazilian culture. The name 'guaraná' is derived from the Tupi-Guarani word wara'ná. These tribes believed, it was magical, a cure for bowel complaints and a way to regain strength. They also tell the myth of a 'Divine Child' that was killed by a serpent and whose eyes gave birth to this plant.
Uses
[change | change source]Guaraná is mainly used as an ingredient in soft drinks and energy drinks. It is also used as a dietary supplement, generally to promote weight loss. In addition, it may be an ingredient in other foods.
Beverages
[change | change source]In addition to other chemicals, the guaraná plant contains caffeine (sometimes called "guaranine"), theophylline, and theobromine. Water extracts of the guarana plant are central nervous system stimulants due to the content of these alkaloids. Energy drink manufacturers typically add synthetic caffeine or caffeine derived from coffee decaffeination, though many advertise "natural" caffeine from the seeds of guaraná.
Brazil produces several brands of soft drink from guaraná extract that contain no added caffeine. Each differs greatly in flavour; some have only a slight guaraná fruit taste. They are typically fizzy and sweet, with a very fruity aftertaste. Most guaraná drinks are produced in Brazil and consumed locally or in nearby countries, such as Paraguay. Major brands include Guaraná Antarctica, Guaraná Schin from Schincariol and Guaraná Brahma from AmBev, Kuat, and Guaraná Jesus, a local Brazilian brand named for the druggist that formulated it.[2] Many local producers also create drinks not for export.
Using it to lose weight
[change | change source]
Studies involving guaraná show benefits to cognitive function.[3] They have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any similar government agencies. In the United States, guaraná holds a GRAS-status, i.e. generally regarded as safe and must be labeled as not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
The Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics published a study in June 2001. This study shows an average 11.2 pound weight loss in a group taking a mixture of yerba mate, guaraná and damiana, compared to an average 1 pound loss in a placebo group after 45 days.[4]
A university study in Brazil of guaraná extract showed a platelet aggregation decrease of up to 37% of control values and a decrease of platelet thromboxane formation from arachidonic acid of up to 78% of control values.[5] This study may be significant to stroke and heart attack risk reduction because when excess thromboxane formation occurs, an arterial blood clot can develop, resulting in a heart attack or ischemic stroke.[6]
A separate 1997 study of guaraná's effects on the physical activity of rats showed increased memory retention and physical endurance when compared with a placebo.[7]
Other studies have shown antioxidant, antibacterial, and fat cell reduction (when combined with conjugated linoleic acid) properties in guaraná [8]
Although side-effects of guaraná are rare, drugs.com recommends, "When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous". Drugs.com also advises not to mix guaraná with ephedrine.[9]
What guarana is made of
[change | change source]Guaraná seeds consist of mostly reddish vegetable fiber and resin with a small amount of oil and water. Guarana contains different amounts of caffeine, theobromine, theophylline and other alkaloids, compared to coffee, tea, mate, or cocoa.
| plant part | ppm | |
|---|---|---|
| Adenine | seed | |
| Ash | seed | < 14,200 |
| Caffeine | plant | < 25,000 |
| Caffeine | seed | 9,100 - 76,000 |
| Catechutannic-acid | seed | |
| Choline | seed | |
| D-catechin | seed | |
| Fat | seed | < 30,000 |
| Guanine | seed | |
| Guaranine | seed | |
| Hypoxanthine | seed | |
| Mucilage | seed | |
| Protein | seed | < 98,600 |
| Resin | seed | < 70,000 |
| Saponin | seed | |
| Starch | seed | 50,000 - 60,000 |
| Tannin | seed | 50,000 - 120,000 |
| Theobromine | seed | 200 - 400 |
| Theophylline | seed | 0 - 2500 |
| Timbonine | seed | |
| Xanthine | seed |
- (*) ppm = parts per million
- tr = trace
Duke1992a: Duke, James A. 1992. Handbook of phytochemical constituents of GRAS herbs and other economic plants. Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press.
Guaranine and caffeine
[change | change source]The chemical "guaranine" is identical to caffeine coming from other sources, for example coffee, tea and mate. Guaranine, theine, mateine are all official synonyms for caffeine.
Other websites
[change | change source]- Guaraná Home Page Archived 2007-06-10 at the Wayback Machine
- Raintree Tropical Plant Database: Guaraná
- Other information from an herbal supplements site Archived 2007-08-17 at the Wayback Machine
- Duke's Database Archived 2004-11-19 at the Wayback Machine
- USDA Database Archived 2015-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
Footnotes
[change | change source]- ↑ Sir Ghillean Prance, Mark Nesbitt (2004). Cultural History of Plants. New York: Routledge. p. 179.
- ↑ http://www.s-t.com/daily/07-99/07-11-99/b03bu068.htm
- ↑ Haskell; et al. (2006). "A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose evaluation of the acute behavioural effects of guarana in humans". J Psychopharmacol. 21 (1): 65–70. doi:10.1177/0269881106063815. PMID 16533867. S2CID 2974554.
- ↑ Anderson, T and Foght, J (2001). "Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients". J Hum Nutr Diet. 14 (3): 243–250. doi:10.1046/j.1365-277X.2001.00290.x. PMID 11424516.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ↑ Bydlowski SP; et al. (1991). "An aqueous extract of guarana (Paullinia cupana) decreases platelet thromboxane synthesis". Braz J Med Biol Res. 24 (4): 421–4. PMID 1823256. Archived from the original on 2007-03-04. Retrieved 2007-06-12.
- ↑ Nicolaou, KC; et al. (1979). "Synthesis and biological properties of pinane-thromboxane A2, a selective inhibitor of coronary artery constriction, platelet aggregation, and thromboxane formation". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 76 (6): 2566–2570. Bibcode:1979PNAS...76.2566N. doi:10.1073/pnas.76.6.2566. PMID 383648.
- ↑ Espinola EB; et al. (1997). "Pharmacological activity of Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) in laboratory animals". J Ethnopharmacol. 55 (3): 223–9. doi:10.1016/S0378-8741(96)01506-1. PMID 9080343.
- ↑ Terpstra; et al. (2002). "The Decrease in Body Fat in Mice Fed Conjugated Linoleic Acid Is Due to Increases in Energy Expenditure and Energy Loss in the Excreta". J Nutr. 132 (5): 940–945. doi:10.1093/jn/132.5.940. PMID 11983818. Archived from the original on 2010-07-30. Retrieved 2007-06-12.
- ↑ Guarana Uses, Side Effects & Warnings - Drugs.com
- ↑ "Species Information". Archived from the original on 2004-11-19. Retrieved 2007-06-12.