Holistic Health Supplements Can Guarana Boost Your Energy? Print By Cathy Wong Updated October 03, 2018 Steve Outram/Getty Images More in Holistic Health Supplements Herbal Medicine Aromatherapy & Essential Oils Massage Therapy A popular beverage ingredient, guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a plant native to northern Brazil and other regions of the Amazon. The fruit contains caffeine-rich seeds which have up to three times the amount of caffeine as coffee beans. The seeds are also rich in tannins and the stimulants theophylline and theobromine. Why People Use Guarana Said to boost mental alertness, fight fatigue, and increase stamina and physical performance, guarana is often found in sodas and energy drinks. The seed paste, syrup or extract is used to flavor these drinks as well as provide a source of caffeine. In Brazil, guarana drinks and are considered health "tonics" and are almost as popular as traditional cola-based sodas. Proponents also claim that guarana may help to suppress appetite and promote weight loss. Benefits Guarana is used primarily as a stimulant due to its high caffeine content. An animal study examined the effect of 14 days of guarana supplementation on fat metabolism in sedentary and trained rats and found that the guarana's fat-burning effect is due to the caffeine content. Decaffeinated guarana extracts had no effect on lipid metabolism. A Journal of Psychopharmacology study found that guarana improved memory, mood, and alertness at low (37.5 mg, 75 mg) vs. higher (150 mg, 300 mg) doses. However, another study examined the long-term use of guarana, caffeine, or placebo on the cognition of 45 older individuals. There were no significant effects of guarana on cognition. Possible Side Effects Guarana contains a large amount of caffeine, which may not be indicated on a product's label. If you are sensitive to caffeine or xanthines or have heart problems, high blood pressure, kidney disease, an overactive thyroid, an anxiety disorder, insomnia, or epilepsy, you should talk with your healthcare provider before taking guarana. High doses of caffeine (or combining guarana with other stimulants like yerba mate, diet aids, or performance-enhancing supplements) may lead to palpitations, arrhythmias, high blood pressure, seizures, and other adverse effects. Since many doctors recommend limiting caffeine during pregnancy and breastfeeding, guarana should be avoided because the caffeine content differs from product to product and it isn't possible for consumers to accurately estimate how much caffeine they are consuming through guarana. Guarana should not be taken with any products containing ephedra. Serious adverse effects have been reported with this combination. It may increase the risk of stroke, hemorrhage, myocardial infarction, and sudden death and has been associated with increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and potentially harmful changes in glucose and potassium levels. Guarana should not be combined with alcohol or MAO-inhibitors. Guarana has been found to decrease platelet aggregation and thromboxane synthesis, so it may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with aspirin, anticoagulants such as warfarin (Coumadin®), and platelet inhibitors such as ticlopidine (Ticlid®), clopidogrel (Plavix®). Make sure to learn about using supplements safely. The Takeaway A caffeine-based stimulant, guarana has a long history of use in Brazil as an ingredient in beverages and blended drinks. While it may seem like an appealing way to boost your energy, a problem with guarana is that products may not accurately indicate the caffeine content, leading some people to inadvertently consume high levels of caffeine. Also, some supplements may be mixed with other stimulants, increasing the likelihood of adverse effects. If you're still considering trying guarana, speak with your healthcare provider about whether it's appropriate for you. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! When used safely and carefully, many alternative treatments can make a wonderful addition to your health. Sign up to learn more about popular uses of holistic health and how to properly approach alternative treatments. Email Address Sign Up There was an error. Please try again. Thank you, , for signing up. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Baghkhani L and Jafari M. Cardiovascular adverse reactions associated with Guarana: is there a causal effect? Journal of Herbal Pharmacotherapy. 2.1 (2002):57-61. Galduroz JC and Carlini EA. The effects of long-term administration of guarana on the cognition of normal, elderly volunteers. Sao Paulo Medical Journal. 114.1 (1996):1073-8. Lima WP, Carnevali LC Jr, Eder R, Costa Rosa LF, Bacchi EM, Seelaender MC. Lipid metabolism in trained rats: effect of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) supplementation. Clinical Nutrition. 24.6 (2005):1019-28. Haskell CF, Kennedy DO, Wesnes KA, Milne AL, Scholey AB. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose evaluation of the acute behavioural effects of guarana in humans. J Psychopharmacol. 2007 Jan;21(1):65-70. Nyska A et al. Acute hemorrhagic myocardial necrosis and sudden death of rats exposed to a combination of ephedrine and caffeine. Toxicological Sciences. 83.2 (2005):388-96. Continue Reading