Information about Guarana

Guarana
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Sapindales Family: Sapindaceae Genus: Paullinia Species: P. cupana
Binomial name
Paullinia cupana Kunth

Guarana (Brazilian name guaraná) (IPA: [gu̯a.ra.'na], [gu̯a.ɾa.'na] or [gu̯a.ɹa.'na]), Paullinia cupana (syn. P. crysan, P. sorbilis), is a climbing plant in the Sapindaceae family, native to the Amazon basin. While guarana features large leaves and clusters of flowers, it is best known for its fruit, which is about the size of a coffee berry. Each fruit contains about one seed, which contains approximately three times as much caffeine as coffee beans.^[1] Caffeine is a stimulant of the central nervous system, cardiac muscle, as well as the respiratory system.^[2]

The guarana fruit's color ranges from orange to red and contains 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 has formed the basis of a myth.^[3]

History and culture

The word guarana comes from the Portuguese guaraná, which has its origins in the Sateré-Mawé language word warana.^[4]

Guarana plays an important role in Tupi and Guaraní Brazilian culture. According to a myth dating back to the Sateré-Maué tribe, guarana's domestication originated with a deity killing a beloved village child. In order to console the villagers, a more benevolent god plucked the left eye from the child and planted it in the forest, resulting in the wild variety of guarana. The god then plucked the right eye from the child and planted it in the village, giving rise to domesticated guarana.^[5]

The Guarinís would make this tea by shelling and washing the seeds, followed by pounding them into a fine powder. The powder is kneaded into a dough and then shaped into cylinders. This product is known as guarana bread or Brazilian cocoa, which would be grated and then immersed into hot water along with sugar.^[1]

This plant was introduced to western civilization in the 17th century following its discovery by Father Felip Betendorf. By 1958, guarana was commercialized.^[1]

Composition

Below are chemicals found in guarana^[6][7].

Chemical	Plant part	Parts per million
Adenine	seed
Ash	seed	< 14,200
Caffeine or guaranine	seed	9,100 - 76,000
Catechutannic-acid	seed
Choline	seed
D-catechin	seed
Fat	seed	< 30,000
Guanine	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

The chemical guaranine is identical to caffeine derived from other sources, for example coffee, tea, and mate. Guaranine, theine, and mateine are all official synonyms for caffeine.^[8]

Uses

Guarana is used in soft drinks (such as Bawls), where it is sweetened and then carbonated. It is also used in pure form in energy shots such as SuddenRush Guarana. Additionally, it is used as an ingredient in herbal tea and made into capsules. Oftentimes, guarana is marketed as a unique stimulant, distinct from caffeine; this is to take advantage of the fact that not many consumers are aware that caffeine is found in a wide variety of plants.^[1]

In general, South America obtains most of its caffeine from guarana.^[9]

Beverages

Brazil, which consumes the third-most amount of soft drinks in the world,^[10] produces several brands of soft drink from guarana extract. Exceeding Brazilian sales of cola drinks^[11], guarana-containing beverages may not cause associated with drinking coffee, a perception that could be a placebo effect or result from another substance.^[9]

Cognitive effects

Chemically equivalent to caffeine, guarana is of interest for its potential effects on cognition.

In rats, guarana increased memory retention and physical endurance when compared with a placebo.^[12]

A 2007 human pilot study ^[13] assessed acute behavioral effects to four doses (37.5 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg and 300 mg) of guarana extract. Memory, alertness and mood were increased by the two lower doses, confirming previous results of cognitive improvement following 75 mg guaraná. These studies have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration or any similar government agencies, and do not imply medical or regulatory approval for use of guarana to enhance cognition.

Other uses and side-effects

In the United States, guarana holds a GRAS-status, i.e. generally regarded as safe.^[14]

One study showed an average 11.2 pound weight loss in a group taking a mixture of yerba mate, guarana, and damiana, compared to an average 1 pound loss in a placebo group after 45 days^[15], although another study was inconclusive about effects of guarana on body weight^[16].

A study in Brazil of guarana extract showed reduced aggregation of rabbit platelets by up to 37% below control values and decreased platelet thromboxane formation from arachidonic acid by 78% below control values.^[17] It is not known if such platelet action has any effect for reducing risk of heart attack or ischemic stroke.^[18]

Other studies showed antioxidant, antibacterial, and fat cell reduction (when combined with conjugated linoleic acid) from chronic intake of guarana.^[19]

From anecdotal evidence of excessive consumption of energy drinks, guarana may contribute (alone or in combination with caffeine and taurine) to the onset of seizures^[20].

Although side-effects of guarana 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 guarana with ephedrine.^[21]

Footnotes

External links

• Raintree Tropical Plant Database: Guaraná
• Guarana at Duke's database
• Guarana at USDA database