What is Guarana and Why Is It In So Many Energy Drinks?
Guarana, a fruit plant native to Brazil, has been used in herbal medicine for over 300 years for a number of benefits, including reducing fatigue, boosting energy, and aiding learning and memory. Guarana contains over 3x as much caffeine per gram as coffee, which has made it a popular ingredient in energy drinks like Monster and Red Bull.
When talking about caffeine and mental health, we like to compare caffeine to a hammer. You can build a house with it or beat yourself up with it; it all depends on how you use it.
Clinical research has shown that caffeine can increase mood, alertness, attention and cognitive function, especially in longer or more difficult tasks. Moderate caffeine intake (less than 400 mg/day) has been associated with fewer depressive symptoms and cognitive mistakes.
On the flip side, if you are sensitive to caffeine, or consume too much (typically over 400mg/day), you may be more susceptible to caffeine-induced anxiety, so be cognizant when using.
Coffee vs. Guarana
Caffeine in coffee is bound to an acid that allows it to release immediately after making contact with the stomach acid. As a result, the caffeine acts quickly which can often lead to jitters or a caffeine crash just a couple of hours later.
Caffeine in guarana, on the other hand, is slowly released into your bloodstream because the caffeine is bound to organic compounds known as tannins and polyphenols. The result is that the energizing effects from guarana are often gentler and last between 5-9 hours.
Why Guarana Can Reduce Fatigue and Improve Focus
A study found that people who took guarana felt less fatigued while completing several tests, compared to those who took a placebo.
Interestingly, other studies also show that guarana can reduce mental fatigue in those being treated for cancer, without significant side effects.
Guarana's Impact On Learning Ability
Studies have shown that guarana may improve your ability to learn and remember information. One study looked at the effects of different doses of guarana on mood and learning. Those who received either 37.5mg or 75mg of guarana achieved the highest test scores.
Since just 6% of guarana is caffeine, it is believed that other compounds in guarana aside from caffeine may be responsible for these effects.
Guarana Dosage Recommendations
The clinical research behind guarana found that a dose of 37.5- 75mg would be effective at reducing fatigue. It is not recommended to consume more than 300mg of guarana per day because it can lead to difficulty falling asleep.
How Guarana Works As a Superfood
If you suffer from mental burnout or are just looking for a source of sustainable energy, guarana would be a great addition to your morning routine. It’s touted for its ability to reduce fatigue, boost energy, and aid learning and memory. It has also been linked to better heart health, weight loss, pain relief, healthier skin, lower cancer risk, and a decreased risk of age-related eye diseases.
Try guarana today by shopping for one of our instant superfood lattes. The lattes are infused with clinically-effective levels of guarana, l-theanine, and GABA to support energy, focus, and a calm mind.