Guarana extract
Guarana extract or guarana seeds or paullinia cupana is a natural stimulant commonly sold over-the-counter.[1][2] Guarana seeds are also known as Brazilian cocoa or zoom.[3] It is often sold as an "energy supplement" or as in ingredient in "energy drinks" or diet pills.[2][4]
Purpose[edit | edit source]
Caffeine[edit | edit source]
Guarana contains caffeine, and guarana supplements often contain other active substances, especially additional caffeine.[1][3]
Side effects[edit | edit source]
Guarana is considered possibly safe if taken in small amounts, but can trigger an allergic reaction in some people.
It may interact with other herbs, supplements or medication, including those that also affect blood clotting, e.g. garlic/clove, ginkgo, green tea, red clover, Siberian ginseng and turmeric.[1] Some of these are found combined with guarana in herbal supplements or energy drinks.[2]
The most common side effects include:
- Diarrhea
- increased heart rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Insomnia
- Nervousness
- Stomach irrational, nausea, or vomiting[1]
- Agitation[2]
Evidence[edit | edit source]
ME/CFS[edit | edit source]
Guarana has not be proven to be effective for chronic fatigue syndrome.[1] There are no clinical trials to show its effectiveness or safety in people with CFS.
Learn more[edit | edit source]
- Guarana - drugs.com
- The Use and Abuse of Diet Pills -
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 "Guarana Uses, Side Effects & Warnings". Drugs.com. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Burkey, Heidi (2005). "The Use and Abuse of Diet Pills". Journal of the Health Resource Center. Retrieved September 24, 2020.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Woods, David J. (June 1, 2012). "Guarana: Paullinia cupana, P. sorbilis; also known as Brazilian cocoa and 'zoom'". Journal of Primary Health Care. 4 (2): 163–164. ISSN 1172-6156. PMID 22675703.
- ↑ Clauson, Kevin A.; Shields, Kelly M.; McQueen, Cydney E.; Persad, Nikki (May 1, 2008). "Safety issues associated with commercially available energy drinks". Journal of the American Pharmacists Association. 48 (3): e55–e67. doi:10.1331/JAPhA.2008.07055. ISSN 1544-3191.
