15 Benefits of Guarana for Physical and Mental Health

Between the benefits of guarana, The famous Brazilian fruit stands out as being a good stimulant and aphrodisiac, as well as helping to lose weight or improve mental capacity, among other characteristics that I will tell you about below..

Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a Brazilian plant consumed in many parts of the world. The extracts of its seeds, which contain caffeine and antioxidants, are available in food, energy drinks and pharmacological supplements.

This fruit was used by Indians of the Amazon, in order to increase the energy of the aborigines, the libido and suppress the appetite. The color of guarana varies from brown to red and contains black seeds.

It is available in the market in various forms. In natural aspect, guarana is a dry paste, which arises from the seeds of the plant.

As with other plants, its high concentration of caffeine acts as a defensive toxin that rejects the herbivores of guarana and its seeds..

The word guaraná comes from the guaraní guara-ná, which has its origin in the word Sateré-Maué for the warana plant, which in Tupi-Guaraní means "fruit like the eyes of the people".

Guarana plays an important role in the Paraguayan Tupi and Guaraní culture. According to a myth attributed to the Sateré-Maué tribe, the domestication of guarana originated with a deity who killed a village boy.

To comfort the villagers, a more benevolent god gouged out the boy's left eye and planted it in the forest, resulting in the wild variety of guarana. The god then took out the child's right eye and planted it in the village, giving rise to the domesticated guarana..

15 properties of guarana that contribute to health

1- It is a good stimulant

This fruit contains caffeine, so it is a stimulant for our body. If a comparison is made with coffee, the dried leaves of guarana contain between 1 and 4% caffeine, while coffee beans report around 1 to 2% of this component.

Guarana would be more effective as a natural energizer. The caffeine content of this food is 3.6% to 5.8%. A dose higher than this could have harmful effects on the body.

2- Helps to lose weight

This fruit is currently used in certain energy drinks and weight loss supplements. This occurs because it provides a feeling of satiety, reducing hunger and stimulating the body.

In addition, it contributes to this objective, since it induces the nervous system to enhance the lipolysis process, which consists of the release of fat into the bloodstream, used as energy during physical exercise..

Consequently, drinking guarana boosts physical activity, endurance, and increases metabolism..

3- Provides more intelligence

Studies have shown that guarana enhances mental capacity and cognition in human serenes, thereby increasing intelligence.

The results show a better concentration and attention in a task carried out if 75 mg of guarana are consumed..

The effect lasted all day and the precision of the performance was maintained as it was not altered. Likewise, memory and alertness were improved.

4- It is a natural aphrodisiac

Another of the benefits of guarana is that it has natural aphrodisiac properties. That is, the presence of caffeine in this fruit is complemented by its innate ability to stimulate libido..

Therefore, frequent use of this supplement can help a couple lead a better sex life..

5- Natural analgesic

Since caffeine stimulates circulation in the blood, specialists indicate that the better the circulation, the lower the pain experienced in an injury..

Therefore, guarana acts as a natural analgesic, thus contributing to those who suffer from headaches, constant migraines, as well as menstrual pain and other pain..

6- More mental concentration

This fruit contains a healthy mix of stimulating compounds, such as caffeine, that boost mental capacity and help you stay alert, whether you need to be awake or do a job..

That is, with twice the caffeine of coffee, guarana increases capacity for up to 6 hours after consumption..

7- Prevents the appearance of kidney stones

According to a study, with 217,883 participants, the association between caffeine consumption and the risk of developing kidney stones was analyzed.

Since guarana is made up of between 6% and 8% caffeine, people who consume it in foods with this component have a lower risk of developing kidney stones.

8- Good antioxidant

Investigations on guarana have found that this fruit contains more antioxidants than green tea, since it has the compound catechin.

This component reduces oxidative stress in the body and cells, which is linked to the appearance of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and some cardiovascular diseases..

On the other hand, the above contributes to preventing premature aging of our body.

9- Improves intestinal health

We name that guarana is used to lose weight and is a natural energizer. But that is not all. This fruit provides a boost to the peristaltic movement of the intestines, thus benefiting people suffering from constipation..

In addition, in Fight Life they state that guarana is effective for the treatment of other discomfort in the intestines, including gas and diarrhea, as it detoxifies and cleanses the digestive system.

10- Combat menstruation discomfort

Guarana is a fruit that should appeal to women who are prone to painful menstruation. The reason is that it regulates cycles and fights premenstrual symptoms.

In this way, women, who feel down and discomfort during menstruation, can take a supplement and / or drink guarana juice or tea to feel relief..

11- Reduce stress

On the other hand, specialists point out that this magical fruit, in turn, has calming properties.

Drinking a cup of tea with guarana powder, for example, before going to bed, turns out to be an effective relaxant that reduces stress before falling asleep.

In addition, we already said that caffeine improves mood, which increases the feeling of well-being..

12- Strengthens the cardiovascular system

Since guarana has innate antioxidants in its components, it contributes to the fight against free radicals that affect the cardiovascular system.

The absorption of these elements in the body is beneficial for the heart, which reduces the chances of developing coronary diseases in those who consume this fruit..

13- Fight cancer

Guarana has anti-cancer effects. According to a study cited by MyProtein.com, it was shown that mice with liver cancer that consumed this fruit, decreased the incidence and multiplication of new cancer cells.

Specifically, this experiment shows a positive reaction on the DNA damage of cells that allow cancer growth in these laboratory animals.

In addition, it was found that guarana reduces facilitates increased cancer cell death to reduce malignant tumors in the body..

14- Antimicrobial effect

The consumption of guarana helps to strengthen the immune system to fight microbes that enter the body and prevents the formation of bacterial plaques.

While there have been studies in this regard, there is still no conclusive research, so it is an area that requires more scientific work.

15- Reduces lipids in the blood

By containing catechins and caffeine, guarana acts as an antiplatelet agent. This translates into a reduction in the risk of acquiring diseases such as thrombosis by protecting the blood..

This is because by making it more liquid and less “sticky”, it reduces cholesterol and triglycerides, thus preventing the formation of clots..

Unwanted effects

If consumed in an abusive way, it can have negative effects on the body. Therefore, it is recommended to drink your infusion no more than three times a week..

Perhaps, in supplements, or energy drinks for athletes, it can be consumed daily, but always under medical prescription.

Thus, guarana can cause the following unwanted effects:

-May increase blood pressure.

-May cause excessive heart palpitations (tachycardia) if taken as a pill.

-May increase nervousness, anxiety and agitation if drunk, especially at night.

-May cause stomach irritation or heartburn if high doses are applied, or may lead to vomiting or nausea.

Guarana smoothie recipe

Ingredients:

• Guarana powder = 1 tablespoon.
• Unsweetened yogurt = 1 cup.
• Peeled and sliced ​​banana = 1.
• Runny honey = 1 tablespoon.
• Optional papaya (Banana can be substituted with a papaya).

Nutritional value

100 g of guarana contains:

Component	CDR quantity.
Grease	96 g.
Protein	50 g.
Carbohydrates	1 g.
Sodium	6 mg.
Potassium	146 mg.
Calcium	18 mg.
Vitamin a	133 mg.

* CDR: Recommended Daily Amount

References

1.  “Acute effects of different mineral multivitamin preparations with and without Guarana on mood, cognitive performance and functional brain activation” (2013). Andrew Scholey, Isabelle Bauer, Chris Neale, Karen Wild, David Camfield, David White, Silvia Maggini and Matthew Hughes. Center for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia.
2.  "Caffeine consumption and the risk of kidney stones" (2014). Pedro Manuel Ferraro, Eric N Taylor, Giovanni Gambaro, and Gary C Curhan Author. Renal Program, Department of Medical Sciences, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Via Giuseppe Moscati 31, 00168, Rome, Italy.