Guarana: the stimulant from South America

There are many people who cannot wake up properly without large amounts of coffee or tea. However, there is also an alternative to the usual waking agents: guarana.

Guarana is a liana plant that originates from the Amazon region and has an even higher caffeine content than coffee. It also has a less aggressive effect on the stomach lining, making it more digestible.

It is also believed that the natural caffeine in guarana has a longer-lasting revitalising effect. Nevertheless, the dosage must be taken with caution. The caffeine tablets, guarana capsules or teaine comparison also provides interesting information about the different available revitalizers.

Guarana - The natural stimulant

The impressive effect of the guarana plant is mainly due to its small seeds. Each individual grain contains between four and eight percent pure caffeine. This is more than twice as much as is present in a coffee bean. Unlike coffee, the caffeine contained in guarana is released gradually in the body, which means that it has a much longer effect.

The effect of the caffeine from guarana can thus be determined after about 45 minutes. The decomposition is only completely finished after five to nine hours. Due to its slow release, guarana is much easier on the stomach and better tolerated than black tea or coffee.

The valuable ingredients of guarana

For centuries, the inhabitants of the Amazon region have appreciated the impressive effects of the guarana plant. The powder produced is used both as food and as a remedy. The seeds of the plant contain not only caffeine, but also tannins, theophylin, theobromine, saponins and minerals.

The tannins support the natural protective barrier of the skin, theophylin has a vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory effect, theobromine is able to relieve coughs, and the saponins also dissolve mucus in the bronchial tubes and relieve the cough.

Guarana is also said to have a stress-relieving effect and to support ketosis. It is used as a natural remedy against water retention, diarrhoea and flatulence and is also said to be an aphrodisiac of nature.

But that is not all: mental performance is also supported, as is the healthy female cycle. The feeling of hunger and attacks of ravenous appetite are supposed to be reduced by guarana, and migraines and headaches can also benefit from the manifold effects.

What are the side effects of guarana?

Besides all the positive effects that guarana has, the side effects should not be ignored. These are primarily due to the high caffeine content. However, the side effects can usually only be observed if too high a dosage is chosen. In general, people with high blood pressure, nursing mothers and pregnant women should not take guarana.

Some of the most common side effects are

• diarrhoea

• Irritability

• Nervousness

• Inner restlessness

• Anxiety

• High blood pressure

• Strong heartbeat

• Trembling

• Insomnia

The different dosage forms of guarana

There are many different forms in which guarana is available in the trade. The most popular are the versions as tablets, capsules or powder. However, there are also many products that contain the natural plant extract. Guarana is used particularly often in energy drinks.

Nevertheless, cocoa, juices, fruit bars and chocolate can also be found in which guarana powder can be found. A raw consumption of the guarana nut is also possible, but its taste is very bitter and therefore not necessarily recommended.

The recommended dose of guarana is 50-75 mg, once a day. The tablet with guarana should be ingested before noon. However, there is nothing to prevent the guarana dose from being increased periodically. However, a maximum of 100 mg should be taken twice daily (50 mg when waking up and 50 mg in the afternoon). As for guarana powder, it can be added to meals (e.g. natural yoghurt, oatmeal, sandwiches). Thermal treatment is allowed, as guarana does not lose its pro-healthy characteristics during the process. However, it should not be dissolved in water or other beverages, due to its consistency. In terms of dosage, it will be sufficient to add 1-2 teaspoons of guarana powder to a meal.