Guarana: Difference between revisions

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	==Composition==		==Composition==
	Guaraná seeds consist of mostly reddish ] and ] with a small amount of oil and water. Major chemicals found in Guaraná seeds are: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] (and ]).		Guaraná seeds consist of mostly reddish ] and ] with a small amount of oil and water. Major chemicals found in Guaraná seeds are: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] (and ]), and a ] ] of the ] ] derivatives ], ] and ] (collectively referred to as the ingredient ]). The chemical ] in Guaraná is exactly the same as the chemical caffeine derived from other sources, but the presence or absence of other ]s associated with caffeine, and not listed as separate ingredients, varies greatly depending on the source. For example, ] has over a that are not significantly present in ]. To delineate that the caffeine in Guaraná exhibits a slow ] due to the fatty composition of its natural ], and that it is associated with a unique combination of ]s, the ] of ] ] derivatives in Guaraná is often listed as the ingredient '']'' or as just ''guarana'' instead of '']''.

			] is the official name of a chemical. ] is ''not'' the official name of any chemical. ] is also a food ingredient. When listed as a food ingredient, ] includes varying amounts of other alkaloids from unspecified synthetic and/or natural sources. ], when listed as a food ingredient, includes only specific ratios of chemicals produced naturally in the fruit of the Guaraná plant.
	The chemical ] in guaraná is exactly the same as the chemical caffeine derived from other sources, for example ], ] and ]. Guaranine, theine, mateina are all official synonyms for the chemical substances they represent. See the databases listed below.

			=== Common misperceptions ===
	====Database search====
			When listed as food ingredients, '']'' and '']'' both indicate that the prepared food includes ] ] derivatives. Because of this similarity, some chemical databases list ] as a chemical synonym of ].

			Recent medical tests of Guaraná, however, indicate elevated memory performance, alertness, and mood ratings that cannot be attributed to .
	Just enter '''guaranine''' or any other drug name in the search boxes.

			Those with ] health concerns should be aware that the chemical ''caffeine'' does not include the cardiac stimulants '']'' and '']'' of the '']'' ingredient, nor does ''caffeine'' include the fatty ] ] of the ''Guaraná'' fruit. Because the low ] absorption rate of '']'' can delay its full effect for up to six hours, one should not expect '']''-only drinks to provide the immediate adrenaline rush associated with '']''. Instead, ''Guaraná'' is linked to sustained alertness, mental focus and clarity for a six to eight hour period.
	*

			Although websites have sold guaraná-ephedra combinations in the past, ''Guaraná'' should not be taken with '']'' because of "persistent increases in heart rate and blood pressure and unfavorable actions on glucose and potassium homeostasis." ''(The ] has banned ] sales in the ] since April 2004.)''
	*

	*

	*

	==External resources==		==External resources==

Revision as of 01:57, 24 March 2006

Guaraná

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

Guarana or Guaraná (pronounced gwa-ra-'naa), Paullinia cupana (syn. P. crysan, P. sorbilis), is a shrub or small tree in the Sapindaceae family, native to Venezuela and northern Brazil. The seed of the Guaraná fruit is a central nervous system stimulant with thermogenic and diuretic properties.

Guaraná plays an important role in Tupi and Guaraní Brazillian culture. The name 'guaraná' is derived from the Tupi-Guarani word wara'ná. These tribes believed it to be 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

Guaraná is used as an ingredient in sodas and energy drinks and separately as a dietary supplement to promote health and/or weight loss.

Sodas and energy drinks

In addition to a unique combination of other chemicals, the Guaraná plant contains guaranine, a mixture of the methylated xanthine derivatives caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine. Guaranine is a central nervous system stimulant that exhibits slow-release properties due to the fatty composition of its natural excipient. By itself, guaranine may not significantly stimulate the cardiac muscles due to its slow absorption rate and because it contains less cardiac stimulants theophylline and/or theobromine than other caffeine sources. To add an immediate sense of cardiac stimulation, energy drink manufacturers typically add synthetic caffeine or caffeine derived from coffee decaffeination. Energy drinks containing Guaraná include Golly Guaraná, 180, Bawls, Rockstar, AMP, V, SoBe Adrenaline Rush, Guaraná Power, Mountain Dew MDX, Monster, Crunk!! Energy Drink, Von Dutch (Drink) and Full Throttle. Vores Øl and Molson Kick are beers containing Guaraná. Mixed drinks such as "Fu**ed by a Rockstar" are said to have aphrodisiac properties due to the Guaraná content.

Brazil produces several brands of soft drink from Guaraná extract that contain no added caffeine. Each differs greatly in flavour; some with very little natural Guarana fruit taste. In Brazil, Guaraná sales are second only to cola drinks. They are typically fizzy and sweet, with a very fruity aftertaste. Most Guaraná is produced in Brazil and consumed there or in nearby countries, such as Paraguay. Major brands include Guaraná Antarctica and Guaraná Brahma from AmBev, and Kuat from The Coca-Cola Company. A sizable number of local producers also create drinks not for export.

Weight loss and health supplement

Studies involving Guaraná weight loss and health benefits (PMID 16533867) have been performed by private institutions or universities and have not been evaluated by the FDA or similar government agencies. In the United States, Guaraná holds a GRAS-status, generally regarded as safe. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

The Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics published a study in June of 2001 showing 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.

A university study in Brazil of Guarana extract showed a platelet aggregation decrease of up to 37% of control values and platelet thromboxane formation from arachidonic acid of up to 78% of control values. This study may be significant to stroke and heart attack risk reduction because when platelets hyperaggregate or excess thromboxane formation occurs, an arterial blood clot can develop, resulting in a heart attack or ischemic stroke.

A separate 1997 study of the effects of guarana on the physical activity of rats showed an increase in memory retention and physical endurance when compared with similar doses of caffeine, ginseng extract, or a placebo.

Other studies have shown antioxidant, antibacterial, and fat cell reduction (when combined with Conjugated Linoleic Acid) properties in Guaraná.

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.

Composition

Guaraná seeds consist of mostly reddish vegetable fiber and resin with a small amount of oil and water. Major chemicals found in Guaraná seeds are: choline, anethole, adenine, protein, nicotinic acid, glucose, starch, sucrose, allantoin, carvacrol, xanthine, catechins, dimethylbenzene, estragole, guanine, hypoxanthine, limonene, mucilage, salicylic acid, caryophyllene, tannins (and tannic acid), and a slow-release mixture of the methylated xanthine derivatives caffeine, theophylline and theobromine (collectively referred to as the ingredient guaranine). The chemical caffeine in Guaraná is exactly the same as the chemical caffeine derived from other sources, but the presence or absence of other alkaloids associated with caffeine, and not listed as separate ingredients, varies greatly depending on the source. For example, coffee has over a dozen alkaloids that are not significantly present in Guaraná. To delineate that the caffeine in Guaraná exhibits a slow metabolic absorption rate due to the fatty composition of its natural excipient, and that it is associated with a unique combination of alkaloids, the mixture of methylated xanthine derivatives in Guaraná is often listed as the ingredient guaranine or as just guarana instead of caffeine.

Caffeine is the official name of a chemical. Guaranine is not the official name of any chemical. Caffeine is also a food ingredient. When listed as a food ingredient, caffeine includes varying amounts of other alkaloids from unspecified synthetic and/or natural sources. Guaranine, when listed as a food ingredient, includes only specific ratios of chemicals produced naturally in the fruit of the Guaraná plant.

Common misperceptions

When listed as food ingredients, caffeine and guaranine both indicate that the prepared food includes methylated xanthine derivatives. Because of this similarity, some chemical databases list guaranine as a chemical synonym of caffeine.

Recent medical tests of Guaraná, however, indicate elevated memory performance, alertness, and mood ratings that cannot be attributed to caffeine alone.

Those with cardiac health concerns should be aware that the chemical caffeine does not include the cardiac stimulants theophylline and theobromine of the guaranine ingredient, nor does caffeine include the fatty slow-release excipient of the Guaraná fruit. Because the low metabolic absorption rate of guaranine can delay its full effect for up to six hours, one should not expect guaranine-only drinks to provide the immediate adrenaline rush associated with caffeine. Instead, Guaraná is linked to sustained alertness, mental focus and clarity for a six to eight hour period.

Although websites have sold guaraná-ephedra combinations in the past, Guaraná should not be taken with ephedra because of "persistent increases in heart rate and blood pressure and unfavorable actions on glucose and potassium homeostasis." (The FDA has banned ephedra sales in the U.S. since April 2004.)

External resources

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