Guarana is an evergreen creeping shrub that is widely found in Paraguay. Extracts of the fruits of such a plant are present in the composition of various preparations for weight loss and are used to prepare energy drinks.
The benefits and harms of guarana are ambiguous. The product has a stimulating and tonic effect, which is especially important for the normal functioning of the body.
Guarana belongs to the genus Paulinaceae and got its name in honor of the famous German botanist. The plant has the appearance of an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 12 meters. The leaves of guarana are oval in shape with jagged edges, and the flowers form bright red inflorescences.
The fruits are bright yellow and inside there are 1 or 2 oval-shaped seeds. For the preparation of tonic drinks in Brazil, it is the seeds that are used, which are pre-washed and dried.
Properties
With the help of such an additive, it is possible to maintain the acid-base balance and does not irritate the mucous membranes of the digestive tract. Guarana seeds are similar in composition to caffeine, the concentration of which in the plant is approximately twice as high.
The fruits of the plant serve as a source of xanthine alkaloids, tannins, catechins, theobromine, theophylline and vitamins of various groups. Guarana is considered a dietary product that contains almost no proteins and fats.
Guarana fruit extract is most often used in dietary nutrition and sports. Such a food supplement is an energy drink, with the help of which it is possible to improve the functioning of the body, fill it with new forces and increase endurance in sports. The extract contains a lot of caffeine, but due to other components in its composition, it does not provoke irritation of the walls of the stomach and increased heart rate.
The extract does not have a sharp smell and bitterness, which is inherent in coffee. The taste of the product is quite specific, but over time, after using several doses, this unusualness disappears. In recipes, pure guarana juice is practically not used, so it is usually diluted in certain proportions with water.
Benefits of guarana
With this product you can:
- remove accumulated toxins and harmful substances from the body;
- normalize the stool and facilitate the process of defecation;
- restore the normal functioning of the nervous system;
- to cope with intestinal disorders;
- activate mental activity;
- increase blood pressure;
- Cope with cellulite;
- get rid of plaque;
- increase endurance and activity;
- get rid of body fat;
- to cope with the feeling of hunger.
In addition, guarana has a tonic effect on the body and improve the functioning of the immune system, as well as cure various pathologies of the skin. The product has a unique composition and, compared to caffeine, is excreted from the body much more slowly, which prolongs the effects on the human body.
The tonic effect and energy of guarana last longer than coffee, about 6-8 hours, without causing overexcitation.
Harm
When using the product in large doses, some side effects may occur. The patient may complain about:
- insomnia;
- rapid heartbeat;
- headaches;
- increased anxiety;
- problems with the work of the stomach;
- urinary incontinence;
- diarrhea.
During pregnancy, women should consume guarana in limited quantities, as caffeine can interfere with the placenta. Too much caffeine can cause abnormalities in the development of the child and miscarriage.
Application
In medicine
Guarana extract is considered one of the powerful stimulants that affects the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It is widely used to treat:
- decreased activity of the heart and blood vessels;
- thrombosis;
- neurological pathologies;
- high blood cholesterol.
With the help of guarana, it is possible to activate blood circulation in the brain, improve cognitive functions and relax due to the sedative effect.
In addition, the product helps to accelerate fat burning and is used as a stimulator for the production of new cells. Gel with guarana is recommended for daily massage of sensitive skin, which is prone to the formation of bedsores and diaper rash.
Guarana in sports
Guarana is considered one of the main supplements taken by athletes. With its help, it is possible to replenish the supply of energy in the body and fill it with a charge of vivacity. However, it is possible to notice a positive effect only if you take the supplement constantly. Due to the seeds, it is possible to increase endurance indicators, speed up the metabolism in the body and their assimilation.
Before training, you should take guarana 2-3 hours before it starts. In sports nutrition, the supplement can be used in dry form, both in powder and in the form of tablets. The general intake of guarana in sports nutrition should not exceed 2 grams per day.
Contraindications
Despite the many healing properties that guarana has, sometimes its use is not recommended. It is necessary to refuse the product if the patient has the following pathologies:
- migraine;
- gastric ulcer;
- diabetes mellitus;
- hypertension;
- hernia;
- arrhythmia;
- diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
Output
The benefits and harms of guarana for weight loss and in sports are individual, but with proper use of the product, the desired effect can be obtained quickly enough.
