Guarana - Paullinia cupana

Detailed Description

Guarana – Paullinia cupana stands among the most potent natural stimulants, and is especially renowned for its invigorating effects. Brazilian Guarana helps support weight management by accelerating metabolism.

Botanical Information

Guarana, or Paullinia cupana, is a climbing shrub that can reach a height of 10–12 meters. Its small, pale green, white, or yellow flowers cluster together in tight groups. The bright red fruits contain a single large black seed, encased in a fleshy pulp. When the seeds ripen, the outer skin splits, revealing the shiny black seed. The fruiting period occurs in October and November, and the seeds are harvested directly from the bush and not from the ground. Guarana is botanically similar to the horse chestnut, and cultivation is much like that of grapevines.

Origin and Distribution

Guarana is native to the Amazon, especially the regions of Manaus and Parintins. South American tribes have used Paullinia cupana for centuries due to its stimulating properties. Before the arrival of Columbus, it was already cultivated by Indigenous peoples on plantations, propagated mostly from runners, and planted about 2 meters apart. Paullinia cupana begins fruiting after about three years and can remain productive for up to 40 years. Guarana was introduced to Europe in 1669, and its first botanical analysis was conducted in 1700. Today, it is most widely cultivated in South America—particularly Brazil, Venezuela, and Uruguay. Due to high global demand, wild-harvested guarana has become an essential resource for many local communities.

Usage / Dosage

Guarana is best known for its stimulating and toning effects, with virtually no risk of addiction. Its roasted or boiled seeds have long been used in the Amazon to make invigorating beverages. Today, guarana remains especially popular among young adults, as it is roughly twice as strong as coffee or tea and is a key ingredient in many non-alcoholic energy drinks.

It can boost athletic performance and endurance, stimulate the nervous system, reduce both mental and physical fatigue, and enhance feelings of energy. Some practitioners use guarana in managing chronic fatigue syndrome. It may also provide short-term and long-term memory support for those with learning difficulties or occasional forgetfulness. Some studies observed improved mental speed following single doses of guarana in younger people, although research in older adults is more inconclusive.

Other studies have explored the effects of guarana on anxiety levels in people with mild symptoms, often in combination with other herbs. Some reductions in anxiety were observed after 28 days of regular use (three times daily), even with guarana alone.

Experimental research in mice tested guarana extract against liver carcinogens at three different doses over 25 weeks. The high-dose group showed a reduction in pre-cancerous lesions and decreased cellular proliferation, suggesting that guarana extract may have anti-cancer potential.

Guarana is often used in dietary supplements for weight loss. Its extract appears in natural weight-management products and is believed to mildly suppress appetite and increase fat metabolism. Clinical trials noted moderate effects (about 2.7 kg weight loss) when guarana was consumed with yerba mate, damiana, 17 vitamins, and minerals for 8 weeks, supported by a low-calorie diet and adequate exercise. Up to 5 kg of weight loss was observed under similar conditions with regular combination use for 45 days.

Another placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover study measured a blend of green tea extract and guarana (with fixed caffeine and varying EGCG doses) over 24 hours, following participants' energy expenditure and fat oxidation rates. The study found an average increase in energy expenditure of 750 kJ and slight rises in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

In trials involving lean and overweight women, guarana extract (standardized to 100 mg caffeine) increased perceptions of energy, with the most pronounced effect in leaner women, though obese individuals tend to absorb more caffeine.

Laboratory tests have shown low concentrations of guarana extract (1.2 mcg/mL) to produce antioxidant effects by inhibiting lipid peroxidation. Animal studies showed guarana at 50 and 100 mg/kg significantly reduced the severity of gastric lesions from chronic alcohol use. It also demonstrated gastroprotective effects against stomach ulcers caused by high doses of indomethacin.

Amazonian tribes use guarana for headaches and migraines, a traditional application now reflected in many modern caffeine-containing remedies for similar complaints. Guarana provides a light analgesic effect and enhances the action of some painkillers. It is sometimes recommended for relieving back and joint pain.

Preclinical research in mice and rats found cognitive benefits with guarana extract at doses from 3 mg/kg to 30 mg/kg, as well as in chronic administration (0.3 mg/mL infusion), reversing memory loss caused by scopolamine.

Traditional medicine uses guarana for rheumatism, to calm digestive upset in chronic diarrhea (due to its astringent properties), and to boost libido. In Latin America, some Indigenous people continue to use guarana as an aphrodisiac on its own or in chocolate. Guarana alone can increase sexual desire and has a mild diuretic effect.

Healers sometimes use guarana as a mild antibiotic, blood thinner, and to reduce body temperature (especially in summer) to prevent heat stroke and heat stress. It is also recommended locally for cellulite issues, and some people consume guarana regularly for low blood pressure (as it raises it), as well as to help prevent malaria and dysentery.

Its therapeutic effects come not only from caffeine content but also from derivatives theophylline and theobromine. In South America, guarana use during pregnancy and breastfeeding is considered safe in small amounts, but the European Medicines Agency recognizes it as safe only in low doses and does not recommend it due to high caffeine content. Caution is advised for people with type 1 diabetes, those taking blood-thinning medication, or with blood clotting disorders, heart disease, high blood pressure, or glaucoma.

Notably, guarana’s effects are considered much more powerful than isolated caffeine. In Latin American countries, guarana is a popular aphrodisiac and is used by Indigenous peoples as an ingredient in chocolate.

Active Compounds

Guarana seeds contain 4–8% caffeine—twice as much as coffee. Thanks to the presence of theophylline and theobromine, its effects last longer, up to 5 hours. Because guarana is unroasted, it retains vitamin C and some B vitamins.

Traditional Dosage

Depending on the desired effect, guarana is ground and mixed (about a teaspoon) into yogurt, juice, or smoothie and consumed. Its stimulating effects appear quickly. A great way to consume it is by mixing a spoonful into prepared cocoa.

The whole seed can also be soaked in the mouth and chewed.

For adults, the recommended dose is 250–300 mg of pure guarana extract per day. Exceeding this dosage may lead to adverse effects associated with caffeine (insomnia, nervousness, stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, rapid heartbeat, increased blood pressure, etc.).

Warning: Use of guarana is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Not suitable for children.