Guarana
•Last Updated: September 28 2022
Paullinia cupana, also known as guarana, is a seed that contains more caffeine than coffee beans. It is supplemented for its stimulatory properties.
Guarana is most often used for
Last Updated: September 28 2022
Paullinia cupana, also known as guarana, is a fruit bearing tree, the seeds of which are ground into powder and used in traditional Amazonian medicine.
Guarana is supplemented primarily for its stimulant properties.
Guarana may have additional anticancer effects, but much more research is needed to confirm this effect. Guarana is not a fat burning compound.
Guarana contains xanthines, like caffeine, catechins, tannins, and procyanidins. Though the individual effects of these compounds are known, more research is needed to determine how they interact in guarana.
Though guarana has a high caffeine content, the average guarana dose is low enough to prevent the caffeine from playing an active role.
Note that Guarana is also known as:
- Guarana
- Guaraná
- Brazilian Cocoa
- Paullinia Cupana
Guarana should not be confused with:
- Ginseng (usually refers to Panax Ginseng)
To supplement guarana, take 50 – 75mg once a day, before noon. Two divided dose of 50 mg (once after waking up and once shortly after noon) can also be used, for a total daily dose of 100 mg.
Further study is needed to determine the optimal guarana dose.
Guarana is not recommended to be used at night because it contains caffeine and has other stimulatory properties.
Research FeedRead all studies
2.^Antonelli-Ushirobira TM, Kaneshima EN, Gabriel M, Audi EA, Marques LC, Mello JCAcute and subchronic toxicological evaluation of the semipurified extract of seeds of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) in rodentsFood Chem Toxicol.(2010 Jul)
3.^Dalonso N, Petkowicz CLGuarana powder polysaccharides: Characterisation and evaluation of the antioxidant activity of a pectic fractionFood Chem.(2012 Oct 15)
4.^Smith N, Atroch ALGuaraná's Journey from Regional Tonic to Aphrodisiac and Global Energy DrinkEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2010 Sep)
5.^A quantitative method for the analysis of xanthine alkaloids in Paullinia cupana (guarana) by capillary column gas chromatography
6.^Heckman MA, Weil J, Gonzalez de Mejia ECaffeine (1, 3, 7-trimethylxanthine) in foods: a comprehensive review on consumption, functionality, safety, and regulatory mattersJ Food Sci.(2010 Apr)
7.^Bittencourt LS, Machado DC, Machado MM, Dos Santos GF, Algarve TD, Marinowic DR, Ribeiro EE, Soares FA, Barbisan F, Athayde ML, Cruz IBThe protective effects of guaraná extract (Paullinia cupana) on fibroblast NIH-3T3 cells exposed to sodium nitroprussideFood Chem Toxicol.(2013 Mar)
8.^Saldaña MD, Zetzl C, Mohamed RS, Brunner GExtraction of methylxanthines from guaraná seeds, maté leaves, and cocoa beans using supercritical carbon dioxide and ethanolJ Agric Food Chem.(2002 Aug 14)
10.^Yamaguti-Sasaki E, Ito LA, Canteli VC, Ushirobira TM, Ueda-Nakamura T, Dias Filho BP, Nakamura CV, de Mello JCAntioxidant capacity and in vitro prevention of dental plaque formation by extracts and condensed tannins of Paullinia cupanaMolecules.(2007 Aug 20)
11.^Chemical and Microbiological Study of Extract from Seeds of Guarana (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis)
12.^Benoni H, Dallakian P, Taraz KStudies on the essential oil from guaranaZ Lebensm Unters Forsch.(1996 Jul)
13.^Mattei R, Dias RF, Espínola EB, Carlini EA, Barros SBGuarana (Paullinia cupana): toxic behavioral effects in laboratory animals and antioxidants activity in vitroJ Ethnopharmacol.(1998 Mar)
14.^Basile A, Ferrara L, Pezzo MD, Mele G, Sorbo S, Bassi P, Montesano DAntibacterial and antioxidant activities of ethanol extract from Paullinia cupana MartJ Ethnopharmacol.(2005 Oct 31)
15.^Klein T, Longhini R, de Mello JCDevelopment of an analytical method using reversed-phase HPLC-PDA for a semipurified extract of Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (guaraná)Talanta.(2012 Jan 15)
17.^Papiris SA, Triantafillidou C, Kolilekas L, Markoulaki D, Manali EDAmiodarone: review of pulmonary effects and toxicityDrug Saf.(2010 Jul 1)
18.^Development and validation of a capillary electrophoretic method for the determination of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone
19.^Shayeganpour A, Hamdy DA, Brocks DRPharmacokinetics of desethylamiodarone in the rat after its administration as the preformed metabolite, and after administration of amiodaroneBiopharm Drug Dispos.(2008 Apr)
20.^Rodrigues M, Alves G, Lourenço N, Falcão AHerb-Drug Interaction of Paullinia cupana (Guarana) Seed Extract on the Pharmacokinetics of Amiodarone in RatsEvid Based Complement Alternat Med.(2012)
21.^de Oliveira DM, Barreto G, Galeano P, Romero JI, Holubiec MI, Badorrey MS, Capani F, Alvarez LDPaullinia cupana Mart. var. Sorbilis protects human dopaminergic neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line against rotenone-induced cytotoxicityHum Exp Toxicol.(2011 Sep)
22.^Effect of crude extract and its semi purified constituents from guaraná seeds Paullinia cupana Var. Sorbilis (Mart.) lucke on cognitive performance in Morris water maze in rats
23.^Galduróz JC, Carlini Ede AAcute effects of the Paulinia cupana, "Guaraná" on the cognition of normal volunteersSao Paulo Med J.(1994 Jul-Sep)
24.^Galduróz JC, Carlini EAThe effects of long-term administration of guarana on the cognition of normal, elderly volunteersSao Paulo Med J.(1996 Jan-Feb)
25.^Kennedy DO, Haskell CF, Wesnes KA, Scholey ABImproved cognitive performance in human volunteers following administration of guarana (Paullinia cupana) extract: comparison and interaction with Panax ginsengPharmacol Biochem Behav.(2004 Nov)
26.^Haskell CF, Kennedy DO, Wesnes KA, Milne AL, Scholey ABA double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose evaluation of the acute behavioural effects of guaraná in humansJ Psychopharmacol.(2007 Jan)
27.^Kennedy DO, Haskell CF, Robertson B, Reay J, Brewster-Maund C, Luedemann J, Maggini S, Ruf M, Zangara A, Scholey ABImproved cognitive performance and mental fatigue following a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement with added guaraná (Paullinia cupana)Appetite.(2008 Mar-May)
28.^Roncon CM, Biesdorf de Almeida C, Klein T, de Mello JC, Audi EAAnxiolytic effects of a semipurified constituent of guaraná seeds on rats in the elevated T-maze testPlanta Med.(2011 Feb)
29.^Otobone FJ, Sanches AC, Nagae R, Martins JV, Sela VR, de Mello JC, Audi EAEffect of lyophilized extracts from guaraná seeds {Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (Mart.) Ducke} on behavioral profiles in ratsPhytother Res.(2007 Jun)
30.^Campos AR, Barros AI, Albuquerque FA, M Leal LK, Rao VSAcute effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) on mouse behaviour in forced swimming and open field testsPhytother Res.(2005 May)
31.^Bydlowski SP, Yunker RL, Subbiah MTA novel property of an aqueous guaraná extract (Paullinia cupana): inhibition of platelet aggregation in vitro and in vivoBraz J Med Biol Res.(1988)
32.^Bydlowski SP, D'Amico EA, Chamone DAAn aqueous extract of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) decreases platelet thromboxane synthesisBraz J Med Biol Res.(1991)
33.^Subbiah MT, Yunker RStudies on the nature of anti-platelet aggregatory factors in the seeds of the Amazonian Herb Guarana (Paullinia cupana)Int J Vitam Nutr Res.(2008 Mar)
34.^Costa Krewer C, Ribeiro EE, Ribeiro EA, Moresco RN, Ugalde Marques da Rocha MI, Santos Montagner GF, Machado MM, Viegas K, Brito E, Cruz IBHabitual Intake of Guaraná and Metabolic Morbidities: An Epidemiological Study of an Elderly Amazonian PopulationPhytother Res.(2011 Feb 22)
35.^Portella Rde L, Barcelos RP, da Rosa EJ, Ribeiro EE, da Cruz IB, Suleiman L, Soares FAGuaraná (Paullinia cupana Kunth) effects on LDL oxidation in elderly people: an in vitro and in vivo studyLipids Health Dis.(2013 Feb 8)
36.^Lima WP, Carnevali LC Jr, Eder R, Costa Rosa LF, Bacchi EM, Seelaender MCLipid metabolism in trained rats: effect of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) supplementationClin Nutr.(2005 Dec)
37.^Jippo T, Kobayashi Y, Sato H, Hattori A, Takeuchi H, Sugimoto K, Shigekawa MInhibitory effects of guarana seed extract on passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and mast cell degranulationBiosci Biotechnol Biochem.(2009 Sep)
38.^Shin HY, Lee CS, Chae HJ, Kim HR, Baek SH, An NH, Kim MHInhibitory effect of anaphylactic shock by caffeine in ratsInt J Immunopharmacol.(2000 Jun)
39.^Wershil BK, Mekori YA, Murakami T, Galli SJ125I-fibrin deposition in IgE-dependent immediate hypersensitivity reactions in mouse skin. Demonstration of the role of mast cells using genetically mast cell-deficient mice locally reconstituted with cultured mast cellsJ Immunol.(1987 Oct 15)
40.^Acharya UR, Mishra M, Patro J, Panda MKEffect of vitamins C and E on spermatogenesis in mice exposed to cadmiumReprod Toxicol.(2008 Jan)
41.^Koyuturk M, Yanardag R, Bolkent S, Tunali SInfluence of combined antioxidants against cadmium induced testicular damageEnviron Toxicol Pharmacol.(2006 May)
42.^Leite RP, Predes FS, Monteiro JC, Freitas KM, Wada RS, Dolder HAdvantage of Guaraná (Paullinia cupana Mart.) supplementation on cadmium-induced damages in testis of adult Wistar ratsToxicol Pathol.(2013 Jan)
43.^Leite RP, Wada RS, Monteiro JC, Predes FS, Dolder HProtective effect of Guaraná (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis) pre-treatment on cadmium-induced damages in adult Wistar testisBiol Trace Elem Res.(2011 Jun)
44.^de Oliveira Campos MP, Riechelmann R, Martins LC, Hassan BJ, Casa FB, Del Giglio AGuarana (Paullinia cupana) improves fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing systemic chemotherapyJ Altern Complement Med.(2011 Jun)
45.^da Costa Miranda V, Trufelli DC, Santos J, Campos MP, Nobuo M, da Costa Miranda M, Schlinder F, Riechelmann R, del Giglio AEffectiveness of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) for postradiation fatigue and depression: results of a pilot double-blind randomized studyJ Altern Complement Med.(2009 Apr)
46.^Fukumasu H, Avanzo JL, Heidor R, Silva TC, Atroch A, Moreno FS, Dagli MLProtective effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart. var. Sorbilis) against DEN-induced DNA damage on mouse liverFood Chem Toxicol.(2006 Jun)
47.^Fukumasu H, da Silva TC, Avanzo JL, de Lima CE, Mackowiak II, Atroch A, de Souza Spinosa H, Moreno FS, Dagli MLChemopreventive effects of Paullinia cupana Mart var. sorbilis, the guaraná, on mouse hepatocarcinogenesisCancer Lett.(2006 Feb 20)
48.^Fukumasu H, Avanzo JL, Nagamine MK, Barbuto JA, Rao KV, Dagli MLPaullinia cupana Mart var. sorbilis, guaraná, reduces cell proliferation and increases apoptosis of B16/F10 melanoma lung metastases in miceBraz J Med Biol Res.(2008 Apr)
49.^Fukumasu H, Latorre AO, Zaidan-Dagli MLPaullinia cupana Mart. var. sorbilis, guarana, increases survival of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) bearing mice by decreasing cyclin-D1 expression and inducing a G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in EAC cellsPhytother Res.(2011 Jan)
50.^Peirano RI, Achterberg V, Düsing HJ, Akhiani M, Koop U, Jaspers S, Krüger A, Schwengler H, Hamann T, Wenck H, Stäb F, Gallinat S, Blatt TDermal penetration of creatine from a face-care formulation containing creatine, guarana and glycerol is linked to effective antiwrinkle and antisagging efficacy in male subjectsJ Cosmet Dermatol.(2011 Dec)
51.^Heard CM, Johnson S, Moss G, Thomas CPIn vitro transdermal delivery of caffeine, theobromine, theophylline and catechin from extract of Guarana, Paullinia CupanaInt J Pharm.(2006 Jul 6)
52.^Harrold JA, Hughes GM, O'Shiel K, Quinn E, Boyland EJ, Williams NJ, Halford JCAcute effects of a herb extract formulation and inulin fibre on appetite, energy intake and food choiceAppetite.(2013 Mar)
53.^Pontieri V, Neto AS, de França Camargo AF, Koike MK, Velasco ITThe herbal drug Catuama reverts and prevents ventricular fibrillation in the isolated rabbit heartJ Electrocardiol.(2007 Nov-Dec)
54.^Herbal medicine Catuama induces endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxant action on isolated vessels from rats, guinea-pigs and rabbits
55.^Antunes E, Gordo WM, de Oliveira JF, Teixeira CE, Hyslop S, De Nucci GThe relaxation of isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum by the herbal medicine Catuama and its constituentsPhytother Res.(2001 Aug)
56.^Campos MM, Fernandes ES, Ferreira J, Bortolanza LB, Santos AR, Calixto JBPharmacological and neurochemical evidence for antidepressant-like effects of the herbal product CatuamaPharmacol Biochem Behav.(2004 Aug)
57.^Woods DJGuarana: Paullinia cupana, P. sorbilis; also known as Brazilian cocoa and 'zoom'J Prim Health Care.(2012 Jun 1)
58.^Pendleton M, Brown S, Thomas CM, Odle BPotential toxicity of caffeine when used as a dietary supplement for weight lossJ Diet Suppl.(2013 Mar)
59.^Pendleton M, Brown S, Thomas C, Odle BPotential toxicity of caffeine when used as a dietary supplement for weight lossJ Diet Suppl.(2012 Dec)