Guarana

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iGuaraná

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 (IPA: [gu̯a.ra.'na], [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.

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.

1 Uses
- 1.1 Beverages
- 1.2 Weight loss and health supplement
2 Composition
- 2.1 Guaranine and caffeine
  - 2.1.1 Drugs database search
3 External resources
4 Footnotes

[edit] Uses

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

[edit] 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 caffeine content. Energy drink manufacturers typically add synthetic caffeine or caffeine derived from coffee decaffeination. Energy drinks containing guaraná include Pepsi's Josta, Le-Natures Samurai Tea, PEP-G, Golly Guaraná, Socko, 180, Rockstar, AMP, V, SoBe Adrenaline Rush, No Fear, and Energy, Glaceau VitaminWater: Energy, Guaraná Power, Mountain Dew MDX, Monster, Crunk!!! Energy Drink, Sprite 3G, GURU 100% Natural Energy Drink, Von Dutch and Full Throttle. Vores Øl and Molson Kick are beers containing guaraná. Whilst they are not beverages, other foods containing guaraná are X-it mints and Jolt gum.

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, sales of guarana drinks are second only to cola drinks. They are typically fizzy and sweet, with a very fruity aftertaste. Most guaraná drinks are produced in Brazil and consumed there 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.<ref>[1]</ref> Many local producers also create drinks not for export.

[edit] Weight loss and health supplement

Image:Guarana28.PNG

Studies involving guaraná show benefits to cognitive function. <ref>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.</ref> They have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or 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.<ref>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.</ref>

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. <ref>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.</ref> 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.<ref>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.</ref>

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.<ref>Espinola EB, et al. (1997). "Pharmacological activity of Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) in laboratory animals". J Ethnopharmacol 55 (3): 223-9.</ref>

Other studies have shown antioxidant, antibacterial, and fat cell reduction (when combined with conjugated linoleic acid) properties in guaraná <ref>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.</ref>

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.<ref>[2]</ref>

[edit] Composition

Guaraná seeds consist of mostly reddish vegetable fiber and resin with a small amount of oil and water.

From Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases [3]:

Chemicals in: Paullinia cupana (alphabetical order, concentration given*)

Adenine seed: Duke1992a

Ash seed 14,200 ppm; Duke1992a

Caffeine seed 25,000 - 76,000 ppm Duke1992a

Catechutannic-acid seed: Duke1992a

Choline seed: Duke1992a

D-catechin seed: Duke1992a

Fat seed 30,000 ppm; Duke1992a

Guanine seed: Duke1992a

Guaranine seed: Duke1992a

Hypoxanthine seed: Duke1992a

Mucilage seed: Duke1992a

Protein seed 98,600 ppm; Duke1992a

Resin seed 70,000 ppm; Duke1992a

Saponin seed: Duke1992a

Starch seed 50,000 - 60,000 ppm Duke1992a

Tannin seed 85,000 - 120,000 ppm Duke1992a

Theobromine seed 330 ppm; Duke1992a

Theophylline seed 570 ppm; Duke1992a

Timbonine seed: Duke1992a

Xanthine seed: Duke1992a

Duke1992a: Duke, James A. 1992. Handbook of phytochemical constituents of GRAS herbs and other economic plants. Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press.

(*) ppm = parts per million

tr = trace

Guarana contains different amounts, i.e., either less or more of the stimulants theobromine and theophylline and other alkaloids, than other caffeine sources. To compare values on this table with those of other plant sources search Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases [4].

[edit] Guaranine and caffeine

The chemical guaranine is identical to caffeine derived from other sources, for example coffee, tea and mate. Guaranine, theine, mateina are all official synonyms for caffeine. See the searchable current databases listed below.