The guarana (lat.: Paullinia cupana) is a climbing plant native to the Amazon basin. It is part of traditional medicine. It is best known for its energising and revitalising effects and is a powerful antioxidant. And recent studies have concluded that guarana can help stamina and have mood-boosting effects after cancer treatments. But what is guarana?
The main ingredient in guarana is caffeine, the caffeine in guarana is up to four times more than in coffee. That's why guarana is the active ingredient in so many different types of pre-workout and energy drinks.
Caffeine, which stimulates adrenaline production. What is adrenaline? Let's imagine we're walking down the street and we're being attacked, robbed. What happens in your body? Suddenly our heart rate increases, our blood pressure rises, we sweat, our pupils dilate, we concentrate on the task at hand to fend off the attacker, and all the energy is transferred to our muscles, we find we are musch stronger than usual. it's called the "fight or flight" response and it's coded into us for survival. So caffeine raises our heart rate and blood pressure, it gets more blood into the cells, allowing more energy to be used. This enhances mental and physical freshness.
Because of its blood pressure-raising effects, guarana extract is not recommended for people with cardiovascular problems. For others, it can provide a natural energy boost.
Besides caffeine, it also contains polyphenols, tannins and saponins, which have antioxidant effects. And the active ingredients theophylline and theobromine further extend the energising effects of guarana.
Free radicals accelerate the ageing process. These free radicals can damage cells through oxidation, which in turn increases the symptoms of ageing. Therefore, as we age, guarana supplementation can be particularly beneficial, as it contains antioxidants in addition to the invigorating caffeine. However, you should consult your doctor before taking it.
The recommended dose of guarana is 50-100 mg. This is a lower dose so it will not put excessive amounts of caffeine into your body. Also, be careful not to use it in the late afternoon or evening, as caffeine can impair sleep quality before bedtime.
Caffeine can be overdosed, which can cause a range of discomforts, but can also have serious side effects. Therefore, care should be taken to stick to the recommended doses of guarana.