Quick Navigation

Paullinia cupana

Paullinia cupana, also known as guarana, is a seed that contains more caffeine than coffee beans. It is supplemented for its stimulatory properties.

Our evidence-based analysis on paullinia cupana features 59 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by Kamal Patel.
All content reviewed by the Examine.com Team. Published:
Last Updated:

Summary of Paullinia cupana

Primary Information, Benefits, Effects, and Important Facts

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.

Learn which supplements work (and which don’t) to achieve your health goals

Enter your email to get our free mini-course on supplements.

100% backed by science, we take an independent and unbiased approach to figure out what works (and what's a waste of time and money). Arm yourself with the knowledge needed to make the right choices to improve your health.



Things To Know & Note

Is a Form Of

Primary Function:

Also Known As

Guarana, Guaraná, Brazilian cocoa

Do Not Confuse With

Ginseng (usually refers to Panax Ginseng)

Caution Notice

Examine.com Medical Disclaimer

How to Take Paullinia cupana

Recommended dosage, active amounts, other details

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.

Scientific Research on Paullinia cupana

Click on any below to expand the corresponding section. Click on to collapse it.

Click here to fully expand all sections or here to fully collapse them.

1Sources and Composition

1.1Sources

Paullinia cupana (of the family Sapindaceae) is a plant commonly referred to as 'Guaraná' or 'uaraná' and has its seeds used or psychostimulatory actions. Guarana powder is derived from the seeds and used in Amazonian medicine (Maues Indians traditionally[1]) for its stimulant activity[2][3] but is now commonly sold in soft drinks and other functional food products such as energy drinks,[4] with soft drinks being responsible for up to 50% of guarana raw ingredient usage.[1] Guarana seeds are a large source of caffeine (more than other plants that are sources of caffeine[5] and thought to be the highest naturally occurring source[6]), and is claimed but not yet demonstrated to have a longer lasting stimulatory effect due to association between tannin structures and caffeine.[4]

The seeds are taken from guarana fruits, which after 2-3 days of fermentation are removed from the insides of the fruits and then heated to achieve a moisture content of approximately 9% where they are then ground into powder.[1]

Somewhat similar to Yerba Mate, Guarana is a south american plant with a caffeine content and a history of use as a psychostimulatory agent

1.2Composition

The seeds tend to contain:

  • Caffeine at 3.2–7.0% dry weight (usually at the lower end of that range),[5] thought to be the main bioactive; other xanthines such as theobromine (6.733mg/g[7]) and theophylline are also detectable.[8][9][5] This is higher than that seen in black tea leaves (2-3%) and coffee seeds (0.5-1.2%) and leaves (1.0-1.2%)[5] and higher than the caffeine found in yerba mate[8]

  • Tannins[10]

  • Catechin and epicatechin (4.336mg/g; or 0.4% total for dry weight[7])

  • Procyanidins B1–B4, A2 and C1[11][10]

  • Polysaccharides rich in glucose and xylose[3]

  • Dietary fibers including pectins and xylans[3] which appear to be 6% of the seed weight[5]

The seeds of guarana tends to contain mostly xanthines and phenolics, the phenolics being divided into catechins (procyanidins being catechin and epicatechin chains) and tannins. The tannins are not structurally characterized yet, but are thought to play an important role

The essential oil portion of guarana seeds contain:

The antioxidant activity of guarana appears to be correlated with the procyanidin, catechin, and tannin content.[13][10][14]

A semipurified fraction of guarana tends to have lower catechins and caffeine (the latter being 300.87μg/kg[15]) and more of a procyanidin content.[11][10] This semipurified fraction has been cleared of toxic effects of up to 30mg/kg in rats, with 150-300mg/kg reducing weight gain and kidney weight gain (total and relative).[2] The semipurified extract appears to be a acetone:water (70:30) extract that is subject to turbo extraction and subsequently lyophilized and then extracted with ethyl acetate.[16]

Semipurified extracts of guarana appear to have lower caffeine content, and on some neurological parameters are more effective than guarana basic seed extract (unidentified bioactive being increased in quantity)

2Pharmacology

2.1Metabolism

It appears to be claimed that the chemical classes of methoxy/methylenedioxyphenylpropyl compounds can be metabolized into amphetamines in the body following oral ingestion and condensation with a secondary amine; the main molecules of concern as it pertains to Guarana (estragole and anethole) could be converted into 4-methoxyamphetamine and urinary 4-methoxyamphetamine has not been detected following oral consumption of Guarana.[12]

It has been claimed that guarana can produce amphetamine compounds after metabolism in the body; this has not been proven and may not be true according to one study

2.2Enzymatic Interactions

Guarana has been found to reduce systemic availability of Amiodarone (an anti-arrythmic drug[17] with a narrow clinical serum range of 0.5-2.0μg/mL[18][19]) with a single dose of 821mg/kg guarana (12% caffeine content) reducing availability by 57.8%; 14 days of guarana failed to modify amiodarone kinetics.[20]

May reduce exposure to amiodarone, a cardioprotective pharmaceutical, and thus may be contraindicted

3Neurology

3.1Neuroprotection

0.312-0.625mg/mL guarana in dopaminergic cells treated with rotenone (neurotoxin) noted that the lower dose of 0.312mg/mL was able to reduce LDH leakage and preserve cell integrity.[21]

High concentrations of guarana are neuroprotective, lower concentrations (in a more practical range) not yet tested

3.2Learning and Cognition

Guarana at 30mg/kg (but not 60mg/kg nor 10mg/kg caffeine) has been found to reduce escape latency in rats after 40 days of ingestion, while scopolamine treated rats had no such benefit from any group.[22] This appears to hold true for 2mg/kg, but not 4mg/kg, of a semipurified extract with a high procyanidin content.[22]

Rat studies suggest that there may be a cognitive enhancing aspect of Guarana that is independent of the caffeine content

Acute ingestion in healthy adults[23] and chronic ingestion in elderly adults[24] does not appear to have cognitive altering properties; the latter study noted that caffeine ingestion also failed to alter cognition.[24] These studies are contrasted by later studies noting that 75mg guarana (9mg caffeine) was able to enhance cognitive scores related to memory and reaction time[25] with a subsequent dose-response study noting that 75mg was more effective than higher (150-300mg) and lower (37.5mg) doses.[26]

Studies to measure logical reasoning tend to note no significant effects with 75mg guarana[25] while accuracy of tests appears to be mostly unaffected even in the presence of increased reaction time; the increased reaction time is unlikely to occur due to the caffeine content, as it occurred following 9mg (commonly seen as an inactive dose of caffeine).[25] Although there is no significant influence on primary memory factors, there appears to be an increase in secondary memory (recognition and recall tasks).[25][26]

Some cognitive enhancing effects have been associated with guarana ingestion (222.2mg), but are confounded with the inclusion of other nutrients in a multivitamin formulation.[27]

There appears to be a slight improvement in secondary memory performance and reaction time (not all measured reaction time parameters, only some) associated with guarana. This does not appear to be associated with the caffeine content, and is somewhat comparable to panax ginseng although the two do not appear complementary

3.3Anxiety

8-16mg/kg of a semipurified extract of guarana (lower caffeine, higher procyanidin content) appears to possess anxiolytic effects associated with serotonergic and dopaminergic signalling[28] while the seed extract itself has failed to alter parameters of anxiety in rats.[29]

Depression has been noted to be reduced in rats following ingestion of 30mg/kg (or the range of 20-50mg/kg[30]) of the seed extract, which was similar in potency to the reference drug of 20mg/kg imipramine;[29] this was replicated with 4mg/kg of a semipurified extract, and did not appear to be related to the caffeine content.[29] Elsewhere, the effects of high dose guarana (100mg/kg) have been found to not be abolished by an adenosine agonist suggesting alternate pathways of efficacy (caffeine primarily works via adenosine).[30]

Mixed effects on anxiety, and some anti-depressive effects. The anti-depressive effects are actually more potent than many other herbs (performing similarly to the reference drug imipramine) and do not appear to be related to the caffeine content. More research is needed to see if guarana has a role in depression

4Cardiovascular Health

4.1Platelets

Guarana extracts have been shown to inhibit ADP and arachidonic acid induced platelet aggregation (no effects on collagen-induced aggregation)[31] and subsequent thromboxane production[32][33] which is thought to be related to the catechin, epicatechin, and catechin dimers present in guarana.[33] These effects occur at around 100mg/mL,[32][31] and have been noted to reduce aggregation to 27-31% of control and thromboxane synthesis to 50-78% of control.[32]

Possesses antiplatelet actions, but the potency of this does not appear to be overly remarkable (requires a high concentration of guarana) and may not be linked to guarana-exclusive molecules but rather common catechins

4.2Endothelium

Guarana has been demonstrated in vitro to protect cells from sodium nitroprusside via antioxidative effects (in fibroblasts) and is thought to aid nitric oxide metabolism due to this.[7]

4.3Lipoproteins

Older persons who habitually consume guarana products appear to have lower total cholesterol[34] and LDL oxidation (27%) than do age-matched controls that do not consume guarana;[35] the lower LDL oxidation rates were not associated with total cholesterol, LDL, nor conjugated dienes but was associated with polyphenolics.[35]

In vitro, 0.5-1μg/mL greatly attenuated and 1-5μg/mL guarana abolished copper-induced LDL oxidation over 180 minutes of testing.[35]

Appears to reduce LDL oxidation, and in vitro studies suggest that the effect is fairly potent; currently there is no human evidence to assess this reduction in LDL oxidation

5Fat Mass and Obesity

5.1Mechanisms

Guarana appears to be able to increase fat oxidation, which is highly correlated with the methylxanthine content and caffeine.[36]

5.2Interventions

A few rat studies that measure weight tend to note that weight gain over time is suppressed in rats consuming guarana at 821mg/kg (14 days),[20]

Insufficient evidence to establish a role of guarana in weight loss

6Inflammation and Immunology

6.1Mast Cells

In vitro, guarana extract appears to reduce mast cell degranulation in the 12.5-200µg/mL range;[37] despite caffeine normally having an inhibitory effect on mast cell degranulation at very high levels (5-20mM)[38] it was not the causative agent in this study due to being inactive at the micromolar range tested.[37]

In mice subject to passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (model of skin allergic reactions[39]) who consumed guarana seeds two hours prior to exposure to the allergin, 1g/kg (but not 100-300mg/kg) was able to reduce the allergic reaction as assessed by exudate levels with a potency comparable to ketotifen fumarate (200mg/kg).[37]

Appears to have anti-allergic properties when taken in relatively high doses, and this does not appear to be associated with the caffeine content

7Interactions with Organ Systems

7.1Testicles

In rats treated with cadmium (testicular toxin in high concentrations via oxidative damage[40][41]), 2g/kg of guarana ingestion over 56 days was able to confer protective effects to the seminiferous tubules and intertubular space (as assessed by histological examination) without being able to reverse the decrease in testicular weight.[42] Protective effects against cadmium are also noted with pretreatment at the same oral dose.[43]

May protect the testicles at high concentrations of orally ingested guarana, but the potency of protection and the high dose used suggest that this protective effect is likely to not be practical or relevant following guarana supplementation

8Interactions with Cancer Metabolism

8.1Fatigue

Guarana (50mg twice daily for a total dose of 100mg) in persons experiencing fatigue from breast cancer chemotherapy was able to reduce fatigue as assessed by the FACT-F and FACT-ES rating scales without adversely affecting sleep quality.[44] Conversely, a study using radiotherapy failed to find a fatigue reducing effect of guarana at 75mg daily.[45]

Mixed effects on reducing fatigue in chemotherapy patients

8.2Mechanisms

Guarana ingestion at 2g/kg has been demonstrated to reduce DNA damage[46] and lesions[47] associated with N-nitrosodiethylamine injections (hepatic carcinogen), which is thought to be secondary to induction of superoxide dismutase (SOD)[46] and subsequently the same dosage showed antiproliferative properties against lung tumor cells.[48] Protective effects have also been noted against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma tumor inoculation which noted that ingestion of Guarana (100-1000mg/kg for 7 days prior to inoculation and for 21 days subsequent) caused a dose-dependent reduction in tumor size, cell count, and hemhorrage and increased cell accumulation in the G0/G1 phase.[49]

High doses of guarana (1000-2000mg/kg in mice, 80-160mg/kg for humans) appear to have anti-proliferative effects in various models of tumor injection

9Interactions with Aesthetics

9.1Skin

Guarana (0.08%) has been used in a study where topical application and its effects on wrinkles was investigated (confounded with both glycerol and creatine at 8% and 0.02%) was able to significantly reduce jowl size and improve skin integrity and tightening effect;[50] this was attributed more to the creatine content, as it was shown in vitro to increase collagen and procollagen levels.[50] Guarana has been noted to be able to release caffeine and catechins transdermally,[51] and thus it is possible that the efficacy of those compounds underlie the effect of topical guarana.

Although guarana may have a role in promoting skin aesthetics when topically applied, this has not yet been demonstrated with guarana in isolation and may not be unique to guarana (mediated via caffeine and catechins, both of which have demonstrated aid when applied to the skin)

10Nutrient-Nutrient Interactions

10.1YGD capsules

YGD capsules are a mixture of Yerba Mate, Guarana, and Damiana leaf in the doses of 112mg, 96mg, and 36mg (3.1:2.7:1.0 ratio) per tablet.[52]

YGD capsules appear to reduce appetite when taken prior to a meal by approximately 17.6% (3 tablets 15 minutes prior) outperforming 5g Inulin[52] and appears to be additive with Inulin, increasing a 17.6% reduction in food intake to 27%.[52]

YGD capsules may reduce weight secondary to reducing food intake (via slowing gastric digestion rates). The role of guarana in YGD capsules is not known

10.2Catuama

Catuama is a mixture of the herbs guarana, muira puama, Trichilia catigua, and ginger (their relative concentrations being 40.31%, 28.23%, 28.23%,, and 3.26% respectively).[53] This herbal combination therapy has been noted to have vasorelaxing effects in isolated endothelium via nitric oxide[54] (which has also been noted in the corpus cavernosum[55]) and has been noted to fully revert ventricular fibrillation in isolated rabbit hearts at 200µg/mL and protected from induced arrhythmia.[53] This study noted that ginger and guarana in isolation failed to have such effects on the myocardium, but muira puama showed some efficacy although Trichilia catigua at 25µg/mL showed similar potency to Catuama, which outperformed the reference drug of lidocaine at 3μg/mL.[53]

Catuama has also been associated with anti-depressive effects in rodents associated with preventing monoamine (noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin) reuptake.[56]

Guarana is one of four herbs used in Catuama, but currently it has not been shown to have a significant role in the combination and synergy/complementation with other herbs has similarly not been demonstrated

10.3Panax Ginseng

Panax Ginseng (True ginseng) is a common adaptogen used in energy drinks alongside guarana. At 200mg panax ginseng (G115) or 75mg guarana (12% caffeine; 9mg total) alone or in combination, all treatments reduced digit vigilance reaction time (no effect on simple reaction time) to equal levels with speed of memory improving in ginseng groups only; logical reasoning was unaffected by all groups.[25]

Currently no evidence to support synergism between these two molecules

11Safety and Toxicity

11.1General

Due to the inclusion of caffeine in guarana products, Guarana carries some of the same toxicological concerns when taken by persons sensitive to caffeine[57] which has been noted in case studies.[58][59])

References

  1. ^ a b c The Guaraná Industry In Brazil.
  2. ^ a b Antonelli-Ushirobira TM, et al. Acute and subchronic toxicological evaluation of the semipurified extract of seeds of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) in rodents. Food Chem Toxicol. (2010)
  3. ^ a b c Dalonso N, Petkowicz CL. Guarana powder polysaccharides: Characterisation and evaluation of the antioxidant activity of a pectic fraction. Food Chem. (2012)
  4. ^ a b Smith N, Atroch AL. Guaraná's Journey from Regional Tonic to Aphrodisiac and Global Energy Drink. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. (2010)
  5. ^ a b c d e 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 E. Caffeine (1, 3, 7-trimethylxanthine) in foods: a comprehensive review on consumption, functionality, safety, and regulatory matters. J Food Sci. (2010)
  7. ^ a b c Bittencourt LS, et al. The protective effects of guaraná extract (Paullinia cupana) on fibroblast NIH-3T3 cells exposed to sodium nitroprusside. Food Chem Toxicol. (2013)
  8. ^ a b Saldaña MD, et al. Extraction of methylxanthines from guaraná seeds, maté leaves, and cocoa beans using supercritical carbon dioxide and ethanol. J Agric Food Chem. (2002)
  9. ^ Weckerle CS, Stutz MA, Baumann TW. Purine alkaloids in Paullinia. Phytochemistry. (2003)
  10. ^ a b c d Yamaguti-Sasaki E, et al. Antioxidant capacity and in vitro prevention of dental plaque formation by extracts and condensed tannins of Paullinia cupana. Molecules. (2007)
  11. ^ a b Chemical and Microbiological Study of Extract from Seeds of Guarana (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis).
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h Benoni H, Dallakian P, Taraz K. Studies on the essential oil from guarana. Z Lebensm Unters Forsch. (1996)
  13. ^ Mattei R, et al. Guarana (Paullinia cupana): toxic behavioral effects in laboratory animals and antioxidants activity in vitro. J Ethnopharmacol. (1998)
  14. ^ Basile A, et al. Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of ethanol extract from Paullinia cupana Mart. J Ethnopharmacol. (2005)
  15. ^ Klein T, Longhini R, de Mello JC. Development of an analytical method using reversed-phase HPLC-PDA for a semipurified extract of Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (guaraná). Talanta. (2012)
  16. ^ Development of tablets containing semipurified extract of guaraná (Paullinia cupana).
  17. ^ Papiris SA, et al. Amiodarone: review of pulmonary effects and toxicity. Drug Saf. (2010)
  18. ^ Development and validation of a capillary electrophoretic method for the determination of amiodarone and desethylamiodarone.
  19. ^ Shayeganpour A, Hamdy DA, Brocks DR. Pharmacokinetics of desethylamiodarone in the rat after its administration as the preformed metabolite, and after administration of amiodarone. Biopharm Drug Dispos. (2008)
  20. ^ a b Rodrigues M, et al. Herb-Drug Interaction of Paullinia cupana (Guarana) Seed Extract on the Pharmacokinetics of Amiodarone in Rats. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. (2012)
  21. ^ de Oliveira DM, et al. Paullinia cupana Mart. var. Sorbilis protects human dopaminergic neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cell line against rotenone-induced cytotoxicity. Hum Exp Toxicol. (2011)
  22. ^ a b 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 A. Acute effects of the Paulinia cupana, "Guaraná" on the cognition of normal volunteers. Sao Paulo Med J. (1994)
  24. ^ a b Galduróz JC, Carlini EA. The effects of long-term administration of guarana on the cognition of normal, elderly volunteers. Sao Paulo Med J. (1996)
  25. ^ a b c d e Kennedy DO, et al. Improved cognitive performance in human volunteers following administration of guarana (Paullinia cupana) extract: comparison and interaction with Panax ginseng. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. (2004)
  26. ^ a b Haskell CF, et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose evaluation of the acute behavioural effects of guaraná in humans. J Psychopharmacol. (2007)
  27. ^ Kennedy DO, et al. Improved cognitive performance and mental fatigue following a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement with added guaraná (Paullinia cupana). Appetite. (2008)
  28. ^ Roncon CM, et al. Anxiolytic effects of a semipurified constituent of guaraná seeds on rats in the elevated T-maze test. Planta Med. (2011)
  29. ^ a b c Otobone FJ, et al. Effect of lyophilized extracts from guaraná seeds {Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (Mart.) Ducke} on behavioral profiles in rats. Phytother Res. (2007)
  30. ^ a b Campos AR, et al. Acute effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) on mouse behaviour in forced swimming and open field tests. Phytother Res. (2005)
  31. ^ a b Bydlowski SP, Yunker RL, Subbiah MT. A novel property of an aqueous guaraná extract (Paullinia cupana): inhibition of platelet aggregation in vitro and in vivo. Braz J Med Biol Res. (1988)
  32. ^ a b c Bydlowski SP, D'Amico EA, Chamone DA. An aqueous extract of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) decreases platelet thromboxane synthesis. Braz J Med Biol Res. (1991)
  33. ^ a b Subbiah MT, Yunker R. Studies on the nature of anti-platelet aggregatory factors in the seeds of the Amazonian Herb Guarana (Paullinia cupana). Int J Vitam Nutr Res. (2008)
  34. ^ Costa Krewer C, et al. Habitual Intake of Guaraná and Metabolic Morbidities: An Epidemiological Study of an Elderly Amazonian Population. Phytother Res. (2011)
  35. ^ a b c Portella Rde L, et al. Guaraná (Paullinia cupana Kunth) effects on LDL oxidation in elderly people: an in vitro and in vivo study. Lipids Health Dis. (2013)
  36. ^ Lima WP, et al. Lipid metabolism in trained rats: effect of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) supplementation. Clin Nutr. (2005)
  37. ^ a b c Jippo T, et al. Inhibitory effects of guarana seed extract on passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and mast cell degranulation. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. (2009)
  38. ^ Shin HY, et al. Inhibitory effect of anaphylactic shock by caffeine in rats. Int J Immunopharmacol. (2000)
  39. ^ Wershil BK, et al. 125I-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 cells. J Immunol. (1987)
  40. ^ Acharya UR, et al. Effect of vitamins C and E on spermatogenesis in mice exposed to cadmium. Reprod Toxicol. (2008)
  41. ^ Koyuturk M, et al. Influence of combined antioxidants against cadmium induced testicular damage. Environ Toxicol Pharmacol. (2006)
  42. ^ Leite RP, et al. Advantage of Guaraná (Paullinia cupana Mart.) supplementation on cadmium-induced damages in testis of adult Wistar rats. Toxicol Pathol. (2013)
  43. ^ Leite RP, et al. Protective effect of Guaraná (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis) pre-treatment on cadmium-induced damages in adult Wistar testis. Biol Trace Elem Res. (2011)
  44. ^ de Oliveira Campos MP, et al. Guarana (Paullinia cupana) improves fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing systemic chemotherapy. J Altern Complement Med. (2011)
  45. ^ da Costa Miranda V, et al. Effectiveness of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) for postradiation fatigue and depression: results of a pilot double-blind randomized study. J Altern Complement Med. (2009)
  46. ^ a b Fukumasu H, et al. Protective effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart. var. Sorbilis) against DEN-induced DNA damage on mouse liver. Food Chem Toxicol. (2006)
  47. ^ Fukumasu H, et al. Chemopreventive effects of Paullinia cupana Mart var. sorbilis, the guaraná, on mouse hepatocarcinogenesis. Cancer Lett. (2006)
  48. ^ Fukumasu H, et al. Paullinia cupana Mart var. sorbilis, guaraná, reduces cell proliferation and increases apoptosis of B16/F10 melanoma lung metastases in mice. Braz J Med Biol Res. (2008)
  49. ^ Fukumasu H, Latorre AO, Zaidan-Dagli ML. Paullinia 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 cells. Phytother Res. (2011)
  50. ^ a b Peirano RI, et al. Dermal penetration of creatine from a face-care formulation containing creatine, guarana and glycerol is linked to effective antiwrinkle and antisagging efficacy in male subjects. J Cosmet Dermatol. (2011)
  51. ^ Heard CM, et al. In vitro transdermal delivery of caffeine, theobromine, theophylline and catechin from extract of Guarana, Paullinia Cupana. Int J Pharm. (2006)
  52. ^ a b c Harrold JA, et al. Acute effects of a herb extract formulation and inulin fibre on appetite, energy intake and food choice. Appetite. (2013)
  53. ^ a b c Pontieri V, et al. The herbal drug Catuama reverts and prevents ventricular fibrillation in the isolated rabbit heart. J Electrocardiol. (2007)
  54. ^ Herbal medicine Catuama induces endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxant action on isolated vessels from rats, guinea-pigs and rabbits.
  55. ^ Antunes E, et al. The relaxation of isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum by the herbal medicine Catuama and its constituents. Phytother Res. (2001)
  56. ^ Campos MM, et al. Pharmacological and neurochemical evidence for antidepressant-like effects of the herbal product Catuama. Pharmacol Biochem Behav. (2004)
  57. ^ Woods DJ. Guarana: Paullinia cupana, P. sorbilis; also known as Brazilian cocoa and 'zoom'. J Prim Health Care. (2012)
  58. ^ Pendleton M, et al. Potential toxicity of caffeine when used as a dietary supplement for weight loss. J Diet Suppl. (2013)
  59. ^ Pendleton M, et al. Potential toxicity of caffeine when used as a dietary supplement for weight loss. J Diet Suppl. (2012)

This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 59 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of references for this page.

Examine.com is intended to be used for educational and information purposes only. Examine.com and its Editors do not advocate nutritional supplementation over proper medical advice or treatment and this sentiment will never be expressed through pages hosted under Examine.com. If using any pharmaceuticals or drugs given to you by a doctor or received with a prescription, you must consult with the doctor in question or an equally qualified Health Care Professional prior to using any nutritional supplementation. If undergoing medical therapies, then consult with your respective Therapist or Health Care Professional about possible interactions between your Treatment, any Pharmaceuticals or Drugs being given, and possible nutritional supplements or practices hosted on Examine.com.

Examine.com does not assume liability for any actions undertaken after visiting these pages, and does not assume liability if one misuses supplements. Examine.com and its Editors do not ensure that unforeseen side effects will not occur even at the proper dosages, and thereby does not assume liability for any side effects from supplements or practices hosted under the domain of Examine.com.

Popular Supplements

TOP NUTRITION ARTICLES

Never miss an update!

Your e-mail is safe with us. We don’t share personal data.
Tweet