| Revision as of 01:57, 24 March 2006 editStarways Common (talk | contribs)8 edits rvt / I'm sorry Jclerman, there is no chemical by the name of guaranine← Previous edit | Revision as of 02:08, 24 March 2006 edit undoJclerman (talk | contribs)4,654 edits SORRY, JUST INSERT GUARANINE IN THE SEARCH FUNCTION OF THE CHEMICAL DATABASES GIVENNext edit → | ||
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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 ]), and a ] ] of the ] ] derivatives ], ] and ] (collectively referred to as the ingredient ]). |
Guaraná seeds consist of mostly reddish ] and ] with a small amount of oil and water. Major chemicals found in Guaraná seeds are: ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] (and ]). | ||
| 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. | |||
| ] 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. | |||
| ====Database search==== | |||
| === Common misperceptions === | |||
| 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 ]. | |||
| Just enter '''guaranine''' or any other drug name in the search boxes. | |||
| Recent medical tests of Guaraná, however, indicate elevated memory performance, alertness, and mood ratings that cannot be attributed to . | |||
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| 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. | |||
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| 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.)'' | |||
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| ==External resources== | ==External resources== | ||
Revision as of 02:08, 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: guaranine, 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).
The chemical guaranine in guaraná is exactly the same as the chemical caffeine derived from other sources, for example coffee, tea and mate. Guaranine, theine, mateina are all official synonyms for the chemical substances they represent. See the databases listed below.
Database search
Just enter guaranine or any other drug name in the search boxes.
External resources
- Expanded information, Botany, Cultivation, Pests and Diseases, Guaraná Home Page
- Raintree Tropical Plant Dabase: Guaraná
- Opinions about taste and effectiveness as a dietary supplement
- EuroAmerica Import & Export; supplier of the most Natural type of Guarana Drink, Golly Guarana.