Guarana
| Guaraná | ||||||||||||||
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| Paullinia cupana Kunth | ||||||||||||||
Guarana or Guaraná (Template:IPA2, [gu̯a.ɾa.'na] or [gu̯a.ɹa.'na]), 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.
The guaraná fruit's color ranges from orange to red and contain 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 (see below).[1]
Guaraná plays an important role in Tupi and Guaraní Brazilian 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 mainly used as an ingredient in soft drinks and energy drinks. It is also used as a dietary supplement, generally to promote weight loss. In addition, it may be an ingredient in other foods.
Beverages
In addition to other chemicals, the guaraná plant contains caffeine (sometimes called "guaranine"), theophylline, and theobromine. Water extracts of the guarana plant are central nervous system stimulants due to the content of these alkaloids. Energy drink manufacturers typically add synthetic caffeine or caffeine derived from coffee decaffeination, though many advertise "natural" caffeine from the seeds of guaraná.
Brazil produces several brands of soft drink from guaraná extract that contain no added caffeine. Each differs greatly in flavour; some have only a slight guaraná fruit taste. In Brazil, sales of guaraná drinks are even greater than that of cola drinks.Template:Fact They are typically fizzy and sweet, with a very fruity aftertaste. Most guaraná drinks are produced in Brazil and consumed locally or in nearby countries, such as Paraguay. Major brands include Guaraná Antarctica, Guaraná Schin from Schincariol and Guaraná Brahma from AmBev, Kuat, and Guaraná Jesus, a local Brazilian brand named for the druggist that formulated it.[2] Many local producers also create drinks not for export.
Use as a means of weight loss
Studies involving guaraná show benefits to cognitive function. [3] They have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any similar government agencies. In the United States, guaraná holds a GRAS-status, i.e. generally regarded as safe and must be labeled as not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
The Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics published a study in June [[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.[4]
A university study in Brazil of guaraná extract showed a platelet aggregation decrease of up to 37% of control values and a decrease of platelet thromboxane formation from arachidonic acid of up to 78% of control values. [5] This study may be significant to stroke and heart attack risk reduction because when excess thromboxane formation occurs, an arterial blood clot can develop, resulting in a heart attack or ischemic stroke.[6]
A separate 1997 study of guaraná's effects on the physical activity of rats showed increased memory retention and physical endurance when compared with a placebo.[7]
Other studies have shown antioxidant, antibacterial, and fat cell reduction (when combined with conjugated linoleic acid) properties in guaraná [8]
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.[9]
Composition
Guaraná seeds consist of mostly reddish vegetable fiber and resin with a small amount of oil and water. Guarana contains different amounts of caffeine, theobromine, theophylline and other alkaloids, compared to coffee, tea, mate, or cocoa.
| plant part | ppm | |
|---|---|---|
| Adenine | seed | |
| Ash | seed | < 14,200 |
| Caffeine | plant | < 25,000 |
| Caffeine | seed | 9,100 - 76,000 |
| Catechutannic-acid | seed | |
| Choline | seed | |
| D-catechin | seed | |
| Fat | seed | < 30,000 |
| Guanine | seed | |
| Guaranine | 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 |
- (*) ppm = parts per million
- tr = trace
Duke1992a: Duke, James A. 1992. Handbook of phytochemical constituents of GRAS herbs and other economic plants. Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press.
Guaranine and caffeine
The chemical "guaranine" is identical to caffeine derived from other sources, for example coffee, tea and mate. Guaranine, theine, mateine are all official synonyms for caffeine.
See also
List of beverages containing guarana
External resources
- Guaraná Home Page
- Raintree Tropical Plant Database: Guaraná
- Other information from an herbal supplements site
- Duke's Database
- USDA Database
- Acai, Guarana. Export from the source.
Footnotes
- ↑ Sir Ghillean Prance, Mark Nesbitt (2004). Cultural History of Plants. New York: Routledge. p. 179.
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ Haskell, et al. (2006). "A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose evaluation of the acute behavioural effects of guarana in humans". J Psychopharmacol. PMID 16533867.
- ↑ Anderson, T and Foght, J (2001). "Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients". J Hum Nutr Diet 14 (3): 243. http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1365-277X.2001.00290.x.
- ↑ Bydlowski SP, et al. (1991). "An aqueous extract of guarana (Paullinia cupana) decreases platelet thromboxane synthesis". Braz J Med Biol Res 24 (4): 421-4. http://www.rxresearchgroup.com/mlm/ingredients/guarana.shtml#2.
- ↑ Nicolaou, KC et al. (1979). "Synthesis and biological properties of pinane-thromboxane A2, a selective inhibitor of coronary artery constriction, platelet aggregation, and thromboxane formation". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 76 (6): 2566-2570. PMID 383648.
- ↑ Espinola EB, et al. (1997). "Pharmacological activity of Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) in laboratory animals". J Ethnopharmacol 55 (3): 223-9. http://moodfoods.com/guarana.htm.
- ↑ Terpstra, et al. (2002). "The Decrease in Body Fat in Mice Fed Conjugated Linoleic Acid Is Due to Increases in Energy Expenditure and Energy Loss in the Excreta". J Nutr 132: 940-945. http://www.nemhaupt.de/obesity.htm.
- ↑ [2]
