As a dietary supplement or herb, guaraná seed is an effective stimulant:^[rx] it contains about twice the concentration of caffeine found in coffee beans (about 2–8% caffeine in guarana seeds,^[rx] compared to about 1–3% for coffee beans^[rx]). The additive has gained notoriety for being used in energy drinks. As with other plants producing caffeine, the high concentration of caffeine is a defensive toxin that repels herbivores from the berry and its seeds.^[rx]

The color of the fruit ranges from brown to red and it contains black seeds that are partly covered by white arils. The color contrast when the fruit is split open has been compared with the appearance of eyeballs and has become the basis of an origin myth among the Sateré-Mawé people.^[rx]

Guarana is a climbing plant native to the Amazon basin and common in Brazil. In the 16^th century, the plant was introduced by Felip Bettendorf, Hernández, Oviedo, Cobo, and other Spaniard chroniclers to European colonizers and to Europe. The plant belongs to the Sapindaceae family and has large leaves or flowers clusters. The name guarana is derived from the Guarani tribe which lives in Brazil. Guarana got commercialized by 1958. It has a crucial role in their culture and medical folklore. It is a cure for various complaints and a way to regain strength.

Fruit is brown to red and contains black seeds which are partly covered by white arils. The outer pod splits when the fruit is mature to uncover the white aril and the seed. The seed in contrast with the red color of the shell and white of the aril makes it look like a human eye providing a unique appearance. Seeds resemble the size of coffee beans. Guarana seeds are an effective stimulant that contains twice the concentration of caffeine found in coffee seeds. It is used in energy drinks. The high content of caffeine is a defensive toxin that repels herbivores from berry and its seeds. The seed extracts were used in folk medicine since Pre-Columbian times as aphrodisiacs, stimulants, and tonics. Seeds have a high content of methylxanthines, polyphenols, and saponins as well as trace concentrations of various compounds.

Origin

The plant is inherent to the Amazon basin. It is found in the area between the south of the Atures and Maipures torrents of Orinoco River and in the region of the upper Negro River and tributaries on frontiers between Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela where it is relatively common. It is domesticated in the Southern strip of the Amazon River between gorges of the Purus and Madeira rivers. It is cultivated exclusively in Brazil for supplying the national carbonated soft drink industry and natural product stores in the world.

Plant

A scandent shrub with an arching woody and longitudinally furrowed stem which climbs up tree trunks and grows to 2 meters high. Leaves are alternately and pinnately compound having five glabrous and shiny leaflets and they are axillary when the tendrils exist. The inflorescence originates on tendrils or is on axillary racemes. Flowers are female and male, zygomorphic, and have five petals or sepals, eight stamens and a trinocular ovary? having glandular semi-disc at the base. Then the flowers are followed by a septicidal capsule initially green that turns orangey-red and opens partially when ripe and reveals one to three black or greenish seeds which are covered at the base with a farinaceous white aril.

Health benefits of Guarana

1. Improves memory

The study has shown that Guarana has a positive impact on memory and focus. One study shows that even at low doses, it improves both alertness and memory performance. Furthermore, the effects of Guarana and ginseng were compared and reported that extract of Guarana seeds helps to promote task performance and attention to a greater extent than ginseng.

2. Antioxidant source

The fruit has ample antioxidants such as tannins, caffeine, theobromine, saponins, and catechins. These antioxidants combat the formation of free radicals and prevent oxidative damage to the cells. Research also clarifies that antioxidants prevent the chances of chronic? conditions such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes?.

3. Combat fatigue?

Guarana has caffeine in high concentrations than coffee beans. It acts as a stimulant and affects the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain to promote energy levels. This is the reason why energy drinks and coffee is used for fatigue and low energy. Additionally, Guarana lowers mental fatigue as well. The study verifies that it effectively lowered mental fatigue related to sustained mental effort in participants.

4. Digestive health

Guarana is a cure for diarrhea? and constipation?. It promotes regularity and also soothes digestive problems. It has a high content of caffeine which is a compound that helps to stimulate movement in the digestive tract providing relief from constipation. It has a high content of tannins which are plant compounds that prevent excess water from being excreted into bowels and also halt diarrhea fast.

5. Cardiovascular health

Guarana seed is beneficial for maintaining heart health in various ways. It prevents blood clots to lower the chances of strokes and heart attacks. It also lowers the oxidation of LDL cholesterol? in the blood. It prevents plaque? buildup in the arteries? for preventing atherosclerosis?.

6. Glowing skin

The richness in caffeine and antioxidants makes it a great addition to a natural skincare routine. It protects the skin against UV radiation. It curtails photoaging of the skin and enhances blood flow as well as circulation. The cosmetics with Guarana lowers skin sagging and minimize the wrinkles around the eyes.

7. Reduce growth of cancer

Guarana reduces the growth as well as the spread of certain types of cancer cells. The study conducted on mice shows that it reduces liver? cancer proliferation by 58 percent and promotes cancer cell death by nearly fivefold. The studies have similar findings showing the decrease in the growth of colon? and breast cancer cells. It promotes the activity of chemotherapy? agents to eliminate cancer cells effectively.

8. Promotes weight loss?

Guarana weight loss products, supplements, and pills help to burn fat and shed extra pounds which is due to the presence of caffeine. Caffeine helps to promote metabolism by 11 percent over 12 hour period in research. It also inhibits and slows the production of fat cells to lower body fat.

9. Acts as a blood thinner

The extracts of Guarana maintain heart health. It prevents the clumping of blood cells in both human and rabbit blood. In a cross-sectional study, Guarana prevents the hardening of arteries. It has antioxidant and protective effects against the formulation and accumulation of fats.

10. Anti-bacterial? activity

E. coli bacteria cells are a normal part of gut flora but when it grows rapidly in inflammatory environments, it produces alpha-hemolysin which is a toxin causing leaky gut, bleeding, and inflammation?. The extracts of Guarana induced cell death in E. coli. It prevents Salmonella infections with typhoid-like symptoms.

11. Skin health

The antibacterial and antioxidant properties make Guarana popular in the cosmetics industry to be used as ingredients in lotions, anti-aging creams, lotions, and hair products. The caffeine content helps to support blood flow to the skin. Studies discovered that Guarana lowers age-related skin damage significantly. Animal studies found out that cosmetics with Guarana lower sagging in cheeks, improve skin tightness, and lower wrinkles around the eyes.

Medicinal uses

• Since pre-Colombian times, roasted Guarana seed extracts are used as medicinal beverages as tonics, stimulants, aphrodisiacs, and protectors of the gastrointestinal tract.
• It is a tonic for treating hypertension?, chronic diarrhea, neuralgia?, migraine, and dysentery.
• Seed powder is taken internally to provide relief from fatigue and promote concentration.
• Intake of seeds helps in treating chronic diarrhea, migraine?, headaches, and mild? depression.
• It is beneficial for nervous headaches and menstrual discomfort.
• Indians use it for bowel complaints but not for blood pressure and constipation.
• Use the seeds internally for treating mild depression.

Culinary uses

• Seeds are roasted, pounded, used to make drinks or flavoring for bread.
• It is also used in energy shots, carbonated soft drinks, and candy.

Side effects

• Excessive intake of caffeine causes insomnia, heart palpitations?, seizures, headaches, nervousness, anxiety, upset stomach, and shakiness.
• Pregnant women should avoid the use of Guarana as it could cause growth abnormalities or increase the chances of miscarriage?.
• Guarana when used in low doses helps to minimize the chances of adverse effects.
• It can cause sleeplessness and energy crashes.

References