What is Guarana?

23 May What is Guarana?

Guarana, also known by its scientific name Paullinia cupana, is a type of climbing plant that is native to the Amazon and has long been touted for its energy-boosting abilities!¹ The plant produces little fruits that are about the size of a coffee bean and can be red or brown in color and the fruit contains black seeds which are high in caffeine.¹ Guarana also contains antioxidants, such as tannins, saponins and catechins.² You can find Guarana in the all new FITTEAM FIT+!

What are the benefits?

1. High in Antioxidants. The antioxidants that are found in guarana include caffeine, theobromine, tannins, saponins and catechins.³ Antioxidants are important because they neutralize potentially harmful molecules called free radicals. Research suggests that antioxidants can even protect against chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer and diabetes.⁴
2. May Promote Weight Loss. You may have noticed that guarana is sometimes used by those seeking weight loss, this is because guarana is high in caffeine, which can increase your metabolism by 3–11 percent over the course of 12 hours.⁵ A higher metabolism means your body burns more calories even while at rest.⁵
3. Can Reduce Fatigue and Improve Focus. Guarana seeds sometimes contain four to six times more caffeine than coffee beans!⁶ Caffeine helps to relieve fatigue and boost focus. Additionally, caffeine inhibits the effects of adenosine, a compound that makes you feel drowsy and is involved in the sleep-wake cycle.⁷
4. Promotes Regularity. Guarana has long been used as a natural cure for constipation as the caffeine can help relieve constipation by stimulating gastrointestinal movement.⁸
5. Enhances Heart Health. Research shows that the guarana seed benefits heart health in several different ways. For starters, the antioxidants in guarana appear to enhance blood flow and may help prevent blood clots.⁹Additionally, it can reduce LDL cholesterol oxidation in the blood, this can help prevent atherosclerosis by controlling plaque accumulation in the arteries¹⁰.

As you can see, guarana is a highly desirable ingredient found in the all new FITTEAM FIT+! It’s never been easier to give your body and your mind an energy boost thanks to the addition of this new, scientifically advanced formula to the FITTEAM product lineup!

References:

1. Link, R., MS, & RD. (2018, November 19). Guarana benefits, uses, dosage, side effects and interactions. Dr. Axe.
2. Raman, R., MS, & RD. (2018, June 13). 12 benefits of guarana (plus side effects). Healthline.
3. Dalonso, N., & Petkowicz, C. L. de O. (2012). Guarana powder polysaccharides: characterisation and evaluation of the antioxidant activity of a pectic fraction. Food Chemistry, 134(4), 1804–1812.
4. Pham-Huy, L. A., He, H., & Pham-Huy, C. (2008). Free radicals, antioxidants in disease and health. International Journal of Biomedical Science: IJBS, 4(2), 89–96.
5. Dulloo, A. G., Geissler, C. A., Horton, T., Collins, A., & Miller, D. S. (1989). Normal caffeine consumption: influence on thermogenesis and daily energy expenditure in lean and postobese human volunteers. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 49(1), 44–50.
6. da Silva, G. S., Canuto, K. M., Ribeiro, P. R. V., de Brito, E. S., Nascimento, M. M., Zocolo, G. J., Coutinho, J. P., & de Jesus, R. M. (2017). Chemical profiling of guarana seeds ( Paullinia cupana ) from different geographical origins using UPLC-QTOF-MS combined with chemometrics. Food Research International (Ottawa, Ont.), 102, 700–709.
7. Davis, J. M., Zhao, Z., Stock, H. S., Mehl, K. A., Buggy, J., & Hand, G. A. (2003). Central nervous system effects of caffeine and adenosine on fatigue. American Journal of Physiology. Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, 284(2), R399-404.
8. Boekema, P. J., Samsom, M., van Berge Henegouwen, G. P., & Smout, A. J. (1999). Coffee and gastrointestinal function: facts and fiction. A review. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. Supplement, 230, 35–39.
9. Subbiah, M. T. R., & Yunker, R. (2008). Studies on the nature of anti-platelet aggregatory factors in the seeds of the Amazonian Herb Guarana (Paullinia cupana). International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. Internationale Zeitschrift Fur Vitamin- Und Ernahrungsforschung. Journal International de Vitaminologie et de Nutrition, 78(2), 96–101.
10. Portella, R. de L., Barcelos, R. P., da Rosa, E. J. F., Ribeiro, E. E., da Cruz, I. B. M., Suleiman, L., & Soares, F. A. A. (2013). Guaraná (Paullinia cupana Kunth) effects on LDL oxidation in elderly people: an in vitro and in vivo study. Lipids in Health and Disease, 12(1), 12