The botanical name of Guaraná, Paullinia Cupana variety Sorbilis, was originated from C.F. Paullini, who discovered the plant in the 18th century.

What makes guaranine unique and opposite from caffeine found in beverages is its slower release. That's because the Guarana seed is fatty (even in powder form) and is not readily water-soluble. Therefore, the body does not quickly absorb it. Since the guaranine is released slowly, the energy boost that is experienced from Guarana is not like that of coffee with its sudden rush and quick drop-off.

Rather, it continues to escalate over hours. Guarana has a long history of use as an energy tonic and for mental acuity enhancement.

Guaraná is a berry, the plant 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. Although this plant may grow to be 10 meters in height, when cultivated in the open, it adopts a shrub like habit, growing to be a maximum 2 to 3 meters in height.

It's cultivation dates to the pre-columbian times. The indians, the first inhabitants of the Amazon, domesticated the guaraná plant. Botanists actually believe that the current plants, even those found in dense forests, are the remains of indigenous cultivation in the past. Guaraná was, amongst others, grown by the Maués and Andira tribes from the 'lower Amazon'.

The guaraná plant has divided compound leaves and flowers yellow panicles during the driest months of the year, the fruit ripening about two to three months later. The fruit is pear shaped, three sided, has three-celled capsules with thin partitions and in each a seed like a small horse-chestnut half enclosed in an aril. The seeds form a bunch. When ripe, the fruit is red, with some orange and yellow tones. The fruit then partially opens, showing part of the seeds. The fruit now looks like an eye and this appearance lead to legends told by the indians. At this stage the seeds are harvested, to prevent them from falling on the ground.

Harvesting is done by hand, after that the seeds should be stored in a heap in a shelter for two or three days to allow a slight fermentation. Following this, the shells are removed either by hand or machine and then left to dry in open air or dried artificially. Commercial guaraná is produced only from the seeds: all other parts of the fruit are discarded.

Processing Guarana consists of roasting, after the seeds are sieved to be able to roast the seeds more uniformly. Roasting is done preferably in clay ovens for about four to five hours, until the seed reaches about 9% humidity. We have now roasted guaraná grain, also known as guaraná em rama.

Available forms of Guarana:
Guaraná is usually available in four forms:

• Guaraná em rama, roasted guaraná
  Simply the roasted seed, as sold by the amazon farmers to cooperative unions, middlemen and industry.
• Guaraná on a stick:
  After roasting, the seed is ground into a powder, mixed with water into a dough, which is subsequently molded onto a stick. These sticks are then dried over a moderate fire until they become hard.
• Guaraná powder:
  After grinding, the powder is sold. This is usually the form it is available in retail outlets, like health shops.
• Guarana syrup:
  Used for making soft drinks, is also gaining ground. This form is usually limited to larger industries.

Guarana Properties:
Guaraná consists of a crystallizable principle, called guaranine, identical with caffeine, which exists in the seeds, united with tannic acid, catechutannic acid starch, and a greenish fixed oil.

Guarana Composition:
Guaraná seeds consist of mostly reddish vegetable fiber and resin with a small amount of oil and water. Guarana contains different amounts of caffeine, theobromine, theophylline and other alkaloids, compared to coffee, tea, mate, or cocoa.

Chemicals in Guarana:

• Adenine seed:
• Ash seed 14,200 ppm:
• Caffeine seed 25,000 - 76,000 ppm:
• Catechutannic-acid seed:
• Choline seed:
• D-catechin seed:
• Fat seed 30,000 ppm:
• Guanine seed:
• Guaranine seed:
• Hypoxanthine seed:
• Mucilage seed:
• Protein seed 98,600 ppm:
• Resin seed 70,000 ppm:
• Saponin seed:
• Starch seed 50,000 - 60,000 ppm:
• Tannin seed 85,000 - 120,000 ppm:
• Theobromine seed 330 ppm:
• Theophylline seed 570 ppm:
• Timbonine seed:
• Xanthine seed:
  

Uses
Guaraná is mainly used as an ingredient in soft drinks and energy drinks. It is also used as a dietary supplement, generally to promote weight loss. In addition, it may be an ingredient in other foods.

Use as a means of weight loss
Guarana has been shown to stimulate the migration of lipids so fat can be burned as energy. In addition to being a fat burner, it can also be considered an appetite suppressant. Guarana aids in a temporary, natural increase in body temperature and metabolic thermogenesis. It does this through nutritional stimulation of the body's receptor pathway. It can induce the breakdown and release of stored body fat thereby allowing stored fats to be turned into energy.

Thermogenesis: The body's production of heat -- a normal part of metabolic processes. Thermogenesis can be enhanced by certain nutritional substances. When stimulated through appropriate dietary supplementation, thermogenesis is also a mechanism that increases metabolic rate. Stored body fat, if released and available for use, can provide the fuel for this increased metabolic rate.

Studies involving guaraná show benefits to the function of human-like processing of information, applying knowledge and changing preferences. They have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or any other similar government agencies. In the United States, guaraná holds the GRAS status, which is generally acknowledged as safe by the FDA 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.

Beverages

• In addition to other chemicals, the guaraná plant contains guaranine, theophylline, and theobromine. Water extracts of the guarana plant are central nervous system stimulants due to the content of these alkaloids. Most energy drink manufacturers typically add synthetic caffeine or caffeine derived from coffee decaffeination, though many of these manufacturers advertise "all natural" caffeine from the seeds of guaraná.
• Guaraná soft drinks are very popular in this day and age. Brazil produces several brands of soft drink from guaraná extract that contain no added caffeine. Each differs greatly in flavor; some have only a slight guaraná fruit taste.
• In Brazil, sales of guaraná drinks are even greater than that of cola drinks. They are typically fizzy and sweet, with a very fruity aftertaste. Most guaraná drinks are produced in Brazil and consumed locally 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.

Studies

• A study conducted 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. 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.Also a Brazilian research group has been studying guarana's apparent effect of increasing memory. Its antibacterial properties against E. coli and Salmonella have been documented as well.
• In a separate study of guaraná's effects on the physical activity of rats showed increased memory retention and physical endurance when compared with a placebo, guarana increased the physical activity of the animals, increased physical endurance under stress, and increased memory with single doses as well as with chronic doses. Interestingly enough, the study revealed that a whole guarana seed extract performed better and more effectively than did a comparable dosage of caffeine or ginseng extract.
• Other studies have shown antioxidant, and fat cell reduction properties in guaraná.

The tannin that Guarana contains, is useful for mild forms of leucorrhoea, and diarrhea, but its chief use in Europe and America is for headaches, especially ones derived from the nature of suffering from an illness. It is a gentle excitant and serviceable where the brain is irritated or depressed by mental exertion, or where there is fatigue or exhaustion from hot weather.

Guarana has the same chemical composition as caffeine, theine and cocaine, and the same physiological action. Its benefit is for nervous headache or the distress that accompanies menstruation, or exhaustion following dissipation. It is not recommended for chronic headache or in cases where it is not desirable to increase the temperature, or excite the heart or increase arterial tension. Dysuria often follows its administration. It is used by the Indians for bowel complaints, but is not indicated in cases of constipation or high blood pressure.

Although side-effects of guaraná are rare, when you consider the use of herbal supplements, always consult with your health care professional. Additionally, consulting with a physician trained in how the uses of natural herbal health supplements may be beneficial, and coordinated treatment among with all health care providers involved with you may be healthful.

If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact the Essante Worldwide by FUN Unlimited Offices.

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