Guarana

Guarana is the seeds of South American shrub that originates in Brazil.  The traditional use of guarana by natives of the Amazonian rain forests represents crushed seeds added to foods and beverages that increase alertness and reduce fatigue. 

It could also be used as dietary supplement and as an effective energy booster because it contains twice the caffeine found in coffee that is 3 to 4 percent in guarana seed as compared to 1 to 2 percent for coffee beams. 

Concentrated guarana extracts can contain as much as 40-50 percent caffeine or about 50 -200mg of caffeine per day or the amount equal to 1 to 2 cups of strong coffee. Too much intake of caffeine can lead to nervousness, tension and headache. 

The effects of guarana are increased energy level and reduced fatigue as well as enhanced physical and mental performance. It also has the ability of promoting weight loss and suppressing appetite. 

The dosage of caffeine is about 180-450 milligrams a day which is about 2 -4 cups of brewed coffee or 500-1000mg of guarana extracts. It has mild stimulating properties and enhanced physical and mental performance. Higher levels of intake will not get better performance but will result in side effects like tension, irritability and nausea. 

There is a clear theory about how guarana works. The main element is caffeine that sometimes may be called guaranine and similar alkaloids like theobromine and theophylline, found in coffee and tea. They also have effect on increasing the methabollic rate, suppressing appetite and enhancing the physical and mental performance. 

Caffeine is known for suppressing appetite but it on its own is not known for increasing calorie expenditure or thermogenesis. In combination with other supplements like Ma Huang or Ephedra, the caffeine extends the duration of Ephedra in suppressing appetite and increasing calorie expenditure. Though it may also increase the risk of the adverse side effects associated with Ephedra and caffeine. 

There is one popular combination for weight loss composed of ECA or Ephedra, caffeine and aspirin. There is also a natural form of all the ingredients. Ephedra is Ma Huang and Sida cordifolia, caffeine is guarana, Mate and Kola nut and aspirin - acetyl salicylic acid and other salicylates is White Willow bark. 

The ECA combination is more efficient as a whole than as having the components separately. For instance 150mg of ephedrine per day can increase the metabolic rate by 3 to 5 percent over 24 hours. 

At the same time ephedrine about 60 mg per day when combined with 200-400 mg a day caffeine and 80 -160 mg of salicin a day aspirin, increases the calorie expenditure by 8 percent 

The toxicity and side effects of guarana has been known in animal and cellular studies. There is no other danger than the high caffeine intake. There was at least one study that caused genetic damage in cell structures though it is known for humans who consume this product as dietary supplement. 

Because of the caffeine guarane leads to insomnia, nervousness, anxiety, headache, high blood pressure, heart problems and palpitations. Guarana is not recommended for pregnant or lactating women. 

Caffeine is effective stimulant that help increase and boost the condition of mental and physical performance. It is available in common foods like coffee, tea and coke and is quite inexpensive. For an athlete who needs a little boost intake of caffeine is good. 

If you want to loose weight and take guarana and caffeine, they are not that much efficient separately. But when combined with thermogenic and nervous system stimulants like ECA, the caffeine may extend the activity and the potency of certain supplements.