What is guarana and is it safe?

What is guarana and is it safe?

Guarana has an excellent safety profile and is widely available. Research shows that guarana has low toxicity in low-to-moderate doses ( 19 , 46 , 47 ). In high doses, guarana may cause side effects similar to those of excessive caffeine intake, including ( 48 , 49 ): Heart palpitations.

What are the side effects of guarana?

Guarana contains caffeine. Doses containing more than 400 mg of caffeine daily have been linked to side effects. Side effects depend on the dose. At typical doses, the caffeine in guarana can cause insomnia, nervousness, stomach irritation, vomiting, and many other side effects.

What is guarana made of?

Guarana is derived from the seeds of a South American tree. Because it’s high in caffeine, guarana has become a popular energy supplement.

Why is taurine bad for you?

Side Effects and Safety Concerns According to the best available evidence, taurine has no negative side effects when used in the recommended amounts ( 11 ). While there have been no direct issues from taurine supplements, athlete deaths in Europe have been linked to energy drinks containing taurine and caffeine.

Why is taurine bad?

Why is guarana banned by the NCAA?

Xyience drinks contain caffeine and guarana, which the NCAA lists as banned stimulants at high doses. The drinks also contain ginseng, L-carnitine and taurine — substances that are considered impermissible by the NCAA, meaning that schools are not allowed to provide them to athletes.

Are there any herbal supplements that contain guarana?

The Truth About Guarana. The seeds of the guarana fruit. Bombastically named energy drinks such as Full Throttle, Monster, Red Bull and Rockstar all contain the herbal supplement guarana. The compound is also found in over-the-counter weight loss products, and it’s been marketed as an aphrodisiac.

Are there any side effects to guarana seeds?

Industrial processing methods for guarana seeds may increase the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, a group of chemical carcinogens that have also been associated with pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and dermatologic side effects. 3  Guarana products differ in the amount of caffeine they contain.

Is there any caffeine in guarana dried leaves?

Guarana contains caffeine, a stimulant. By comparison, coffee beans contain about 1-2% caffeine and the dried leaves of guarana contain from 1-4% caffeine. Natural diet aids, which rely on daily doses of guarana, have been advertised in the lay press. Guarana occasionally is combined with glucomannan in natural weight loss tablets.

What foods should you avoid when taking guarana?

Don’t use guarana along with other stimulants, whether they’re medications, supplements, or street drugs. To avoid excessive caffeine intake, be careful when taking guarana along with other foods and supplements that contain caffeine, such as coffee and sodas.

Are there any unhealthy uses for guarana?

Additionally, guarana is often used as an additive for unhealthy beverages. These include guarana energy drinks or guarana alcohol products. Drinks that this are often pumped full of unhealthy added sugar and extra ingredients. These products essentially negate any health benefits of guarana.

Are there any side effects to Herbalife guarana?

Guarana contains caffeine. The caffeine in guarana, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): Guarana contains caffeine. The caffeine in guarana, especially when taken in large amounts, can worsen diarrhea and might worsen symptoms of IBS.

Are there any guarana seeds that are caffeine rich?

Guarana is also sold in supplement form. The fruit contains caffeine-rich seeds that 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.

What are the antioxidant properties of guarana oil?

Test-tube studies have found that guarana’s antioxidant properties may combat cancer cell growth and reduce heart disease risk and skin aging (, ). Summary Guarana contains caffeine, theobromine, tannins, saponins, catechins and other compounds that have antioxidant properties.