Guarana - NutraPedia
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Guarana: An Overview
1) Conditions Studied for Guarana
Guarana (Paullinia cupana) has been studied for various conditions, most notably for its stimulant properties due to its high caffeine content. Research has explored its effects on cognitive performance, mental fatigue, weight loss, physical stamina, and as a potential adjunct in the treatment of conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome and heart health. It has also been looked at for its antioxidant properties.
2) Efficacy in Treating Those Conditions
While some studies suggest that guarana may improve cognitive function and reduce fatigue due to its caffeine, the evidence is not conclusive for all conditions. For weight loss, guarana may have a mild effect when combined with other supplements, but on its own, its efficacy is limited. There is insufficient evidence to support its use in treating chronic fatigue syndrome or significantly impacting heart health. The impact of guarana is often attributed to its caffeine content, which can vary significantly among different guarana products.
3) Health Benefits of Guarana
Guarana has several potential health benefits, including:
- Stimulant effects that can increase alertness and reduce mental fatigue.
- Antioxidant properties due to its content of catechins and tannins.
- Temporary enhancement of physical performance.
- Possible metabolic effects that might aid in weight management in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise.
4) Downsides of Guarana
Despite its potential benefits, guarana has downsides, such as:
- Side effects associated with high caffeine intake, including insomnia, anxiety, palpitations, headaches, and increased blood pressure.
- Potential interactions with certain medications, particularly those that are also metabolized by the liver.
- The risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms associated with caffeine.
- Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women due to caffeine content.
5) Genetic Variations and Guarana
Individual responses to guarana can be influenced by genetic variations, especially those affecting caffeine metabolism. For example, variations in the CYP1A2 gene can make some individuals metabolize caffeine slower, leading to increased sensitivity and higher risk of side effects. Conversely, fast metabolizers might experience reduced or shorter-lived effects. It is essential to consider these variations when evaluating the potential benefits and risks of guarana consumption, although more research is needed to fully understand these relationships.
Guarana (Paullinia cupana): A Comprehensive Overview of Research Findings
Toxicological Studies
Research on rodents revealed that a semipurified extract of guaraná seeds, which includes caffeine and other compounds, has an acute toxicity with an LD50 of 1.825 g/kg orally and 0.827 g/kg intraperitoneally. Subchronic toxicity tests indicated non-toxicity at the lowest dose of 30 mg/kg in rats. No significant organ changes were detected in histopathological evaluations.
Antioxidant and Antiplatelet Properties
Guaraná powder contains polysaccharides with notable antioxidant activity. Studies showed potent abilities to scavenge DPPH radicals, suggesting that polysaccharides contribute significantly to guaraná's biological effects. Additionally, guaraná extract demonstrated protective antioxidant effects on NIH-3T3 fibroblast cells exposed to oxidative stress. The seeds of guaraná were identified to have components that exhibit both antioxidant and antibacterial potential against Streptococcus mutans. Guarana's anti-platelet aggregation properties have been confirmed, potentially reducing the risk of thrombosis and cardiovascular diseases.
Popularity and Consumption
Guaraná has gained popularity as an energizing ingredient in sports and energy drinks, with a history of use as a tonic in Brazil. Caffeine from guaraná is widely consumed, enhancing physical endurance and mental focus, and is considered safe in moderate amounts by regulatory agencies.
Extraction and Chemotaxonomy
Efficient methods for extracting caffeine from guaraná seeds using supercritical carbon dioxide have been developed. Additionally, studies on Paullinia genus have shown that guaraná seeds are rich in caffeine, and guaraná has been used as a marker in chemotaxonomy within related plant species.
Health Benefits and Risks
Guaraná has been associated with various health benefits, including potential protective effects against cadmium-induced testicular damage and cancer. It has also been studied for its effects on fatigue in cancer patients, with some findings indicating that guaraná could be a safe and effective treatment for chemotherapy-induced fatigue.
Cognitive and Mood Effects
Several studies have investigated the effects of guaraná on cognitive abilities and mood, with results indicating improvements in memory, alertness, and cognitive task performance. Despite these promising findings, further research is necessary to fully understand guaraná's effects on the human brain.
Cautions and Interactions
The high caffeine content in guaraná can lead to the same adverse effects as excessive caffeine consumption. Cases of seizures and toxicity have been reported from over-the-counter weight loss supplements containing guaraná. Consumers should be aware of the potential for hidden caffeine content and the risks associated with its use.
Conclusion
Guaraná is a plant with a rich history of use for its stimulating properties. Current research supports its antioxidant capabilities and potential health benefits, but it is essential to remain cautious about its high caffeine content and the associated risks.
References:
- Acute and subchronic toxicological evaluation of the semipurified extract of seeds of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) in rodents
- Guarana powder polysaccharides: characterisation and evaluation of the antioxidant activity of a pectic fraction
- Guaraná's Journey from Regional Tonic to Aphrodisiac and Global Energy Drink
- Caffeine (1, 3, 7-trimethylxanthine) in foods: a comprehensive review on consumption, functionality, safety, and regulatory matters
- The protective effects of guaraná extract (Paullinia cupana) on fibroblast NIH-3T3 cells exposed to sodium nitroprusside
- Extraction of methylxanthines from guaraná seeds, maté leaves, and cocoa beans using supercritical carbon dioxide and ethanol
- Purine alkaloids in Paullinia
- Antioxidant capacity and in vitro prevention of dental plaque formation by extracts and condensed tannins of Paullinia cupana
- Studies on the essential oil from guarana
- Guarana (Paullinia cupana): toxic behavioral effects in laboratory animals and antioxidants activity in vitro
- Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of ethanol extract from Paullinia cupana Mart
- Development of an analytical method using reversed-phase HPLC-PDA for a semipurified extract of Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (guaraná)
- Amiodarone: review of pulmonary effects and toxicity
- Pharmacokinetics of desethylamiodarone in the rat after its administration as the preformed metabolite, and after administration of amiodarone
- Herb-Drug Interaction of Paullinia cupana (Guarana) Seed Extract on the Pharmacokinetics of Amiodarone in Rats
- Paullinia cupana Mart. var. Sorbilis protects human dopaminergic neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line against rotenone-induced cytotoxicity
- Acute effects of the Paulinia cupana, "Guaraná" on the cognition of normal volunteers
- The effects of long-term administration of guarana on the cognition of normal, elderly volunteers
- Improved cognitive performance in human volunteers following administration of guarana (Paullinia cupana) extract: comparison and interaction with Panax ginseng
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose evaluation of the acute behavioural effects of guaraná in humans
- Improved cognitive performance and mental fatigue following a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement with added guaraná (Paullinia cupana)
- Anxiolytic effects of a semipurified constituent of guaraná seeds on rats in the elevated T-maze test
- Effect of lyophilized extracts from guaraná seeds [Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (Mart.) Ducke] on behavioral profiles in rats
- Acute effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) on mouse behaviour in forced swimming and open field tests
- A novel property of an aqueous guaraná extract (Paullinia cupana): inhibition of platelet aggregation in vitro and in vivo
- An aqueous extract of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) decreases platelet thromboxane synthesis
- Studies on the nature of anti-platelet aggregatory factors in the seeds of the Amazonian Herb Guarana (Paullinia cupana)
- Habitual intake of guaraná and metabolic morbidities: an epidemiological study of an elderly Amazonian population
- Guaraná (Paullinia cupana Kunth) effects on LDL oxidation in elderly people: an in vitro and in vivo study
- Lipid metabolism in trained rats: effect of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) supplementation
- Inhibitory effects of guarana seed extract on passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and mast cell degranulation
- Inhibitory effect of anaphylactic shock by caffeine in rats
- 125I-fibrin deposition in IgE-dependent immediate hypersensitivity reactions in mouse skin. Demonstration of the role of mast cells using genetically mast cell-deficient mice locally reconstituted with cultured mast cells
- Effect of vitamins C and E on spermatogenesis in mice exposed to cadmium
- Influence of combined antioxidants against cadmium induced testicular damage
- Advantage of Guaraná (Paullinia cupana Mart.) supplementation on cadmium-induced damages in testis of adult Wistar rats
- Protective effect of Guaraná (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis) pre-treatment on cadmium-induced damages in adult Wistar testis
- Guarana (Paullinia cupana) improves fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing systemic chemotherapy
- Effectiveness of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) for postradiation fatigue and depression: results of a pilot double-blind randomized study
- Protective effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart. var. Sorbilis) against DEN-induced DNA damage on mouse liver
- Chemopreventive effects of Paullinia cupana Mart var. sorbilis, the guaraná, on mouse hepatocarcinogenesis
- Paullinia cupana Mart var. sorbilis, guaraná, reduces cell proliferation and increases apoptosis of B16/F10 melanoma lung metastases in mice
- Paullinia cupana Mart. var. sorbilis, guarana, increases survival of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice by decreasing cyclin-D1 expression and inducing a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in EAC cells
- 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
- In vitro transdermal delivery of caffeine, theobromine, theophylline and catechin from extract of Guarana, Paullinia Cupana
- Acute effects of a herb extract formulation and inulin fibre on appetite, energy intake and food choice
- The herbal drug Catuama reverts and prevents ventricular fibrillation in the isolated rabbit heart
- The relaxation of isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum by the herbal medicine Catuama and its constituents
- Pharmacological and neurochemical evidence for antidepressant-like effects of the herbal product Catuama
- Guarana: Paullinia cupana, P. sorbilis; also known as Brazilian cocoa and 'zoom'
- Potential toxicity of caffeine when used as a dietary supplement for weight loss
- Potential toxicity of caffeine when used as a dietary supplement for weight loss
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