Guarana Extract

Guarana extract (Paulinia cupana) comes from a plant of the maple family, and originated in the central Amazon. Guarana extract has many active compounds including catechin, epicatechin, sapponins, and caffeine. The traditional use of Guarana extract is to make teas from the seeds of the Guarana plant.

Health Benefits

Guarana extract may be beneficial in the improvement of acute cognitive performance, memory, attention, and mood.1,2 This has been observed and supported in other studies that Guarana combined with multivitamins and minerals has improved acute cognitive performance.3,4 Preclinical studies have also reported that Guarana improved memory and reduced anxiety.5,6 Guarana may reduce the risk and incidence of hypertension, metabolic syndrome, blood cholesterol levels, and oxidative stress in the elderly.7,8

References

  1. Kennedy DO, Haskell CF, Wesnes KA, Scholey AB. Improved cognitive performance in human volunteers following administration of guarana (Paullinia cupana) extract: comparison and interaction with Panax ginseng. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2004 Nov;79(3):401-11. PubMed PMID: 15582012.
  2. Haskell CF, Kennedy DO, Wesnes KA, Milne AL, Scholey AB. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose evaluation of the acute behavioural effects of guaraná in humans. J Psychopharmacol. 2007 Jan;21(1):65-70. Epub 2006 Mar 13. PubMed PMID: 16533867.
  3. Kennedy, D.O., Haskell, C.F., Robertson, B., Reay, J., Brewster-Maund, C., Luedemann, J., Maggini, S., Ruf, M., Zangara, A., Scholey, A.B. Improved cognitive performance and mental fatigue following a multi-vitamin and mineral supplements with added guarana (Paullinia cupana). Appetite 50:506-513, 2008. PMID: 18077056.
  4. Scholey, A., Bauer, I., Neale, C., Savage, K., Camfield, D., White, D., Maggini, S., Pipingas, A., Stough, C., Hughes, M. Acute effects of different multivitamin mineral preparations with and without guarana on mood, cognitive performance and functional brain activation.   Nutrients 5:3589-3604, 2013. PMID: 24067387.
  5. Espinola EB, Dias RF, Mattei R, Carlini EA. Pharmacological activity of Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) in laboratory animals. J Ethnopharmacol. 1997 Feb;55(3):223-9. PubMed PMID: 9080343.
  6. Roncon, C.M., Biesdorf de Almeida, C., Klein, T., de Mello, J.C., Audi, E.A. Anxiolytic effects of a semi purified constituent of guarana seeds on rats in the elevated T-maze test. Planta Med. 77:236-241, 2011. PMID: 20845263
  7. Krewer Cda C, Ribeiro EE, Ribeiro EA, Moresco RN, da Rocha MI, Montagner GF, Machado MM, Viegas K, Brito E, da Cruz IB. Habitual intake of guaraná and metabolic morbidities: an epidemiological study of an elderly Amazonian population. Phytother Res. 2011 Sep;25(9):1367-74. doi: 10.1002/ptr.3437. Epub 2011 Feb 22. PubMed PMID: 21341338.
  8. Portella Rde, L., Barcelos, R.P., da Rosa, E.J., Ribeiro, E.E., da Cruz, I.B., Suleiman, L., Soares, F.A. Guarana (Paullinia cupana Kunth) effects on LDL oxidation in elderly people: an in vitro and in vivo study. Lipids Health Dis. 2013, 12:12. PMID: 23391102.