Guaraná for Sports & Fitness

© Martin Wall

Guaraná

Why Do Athletes Use It?*

Some athletes say that guaraná helps improve stamina.

What Do the Advocates Say?*

Guaraná contains a substance similar to caffeine, which could be responsible for caffeine-like effects such as improving endurance performance. However, no research has directly tested guaraná in athletes.

*Athletes and fitness advocates may claim benefits for this supplement based on their personal or professional experience. These are individual opinions and testimonials that may or may not be supported by controlled clinical studies or published scientific articles.

How Much Is Usually Taken by Athletes?

Some athletes take guaraná during their training; however, there is no scientific research to support this use.

Side Effects

As with any caffeinated product, guaraná may cause insomnia, trembling, anxiety, palpitations, and urinary frequency.¹ Guaraná should be avoided during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

Interactions with Supplements, Foods, & Other Compounds

At the time of writing, there were no well-known interactions with this supplement.

Interactions with Medicines

Certain medicines interact with this supplement.

	Some medicines may increase the need for this supplement.
	Some medicines interact with this supplement, so they should not be taken together.
	Some interactions between this supplement and certain medicines require more explanation. Click the link to see details.

Note: The following list only includes the generic or class name of a medicine. To find a specific brand name, use the Medicines Index.

	Caffeine

Botanical names: Paullinia cupana

Parts Used & Where Grown

Guaraná is an evergreen vine indigenous to the Amazon basin. The vast majority of guaraná is grown in a small area in northern Brazil. Guaraná gum or paste is derived from the seeds and is used in herbal preparations.

• Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.

• Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.

• For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Our proprietary “Star-Rating” system was developed to help you easily understand the amount of scientific support behind each supplement in relation to a specific health condition. While there is no way to predict whether a vitamin, mineral, or herb will successfully treat or prevent associated health conditions, our unique ratings tell you how well these supplements are understood by the medical community, and whether studies have found them to be effective for other people.

For over a decade, our team has combed through thousands of research articles published in reputable journals. To help you make educated decisions, and to better understand controversial or confusing supplements, our medical experts have digested the science into these three easy-to-follow ratings. We hope this provides you with a helpful resource to make informed decisions towards your health and well-being.

This supplement has been used in connection with the following health conditions:

Used for	Amount	Why
Athletic Performance	Refer to label instructions	[1 star] Some athletes take guaraná, which contains caffeine, during their training, although there is no scientific research to support this use.
Obesity	Refer to label instructions	[1 star] Guaraná contains caffeine and the closely related alkaloids theobromine and theophylline, these compounds may curb appetite and increase weight loss.

Traditional Use (May Not Be Supported by Scientific Studies)

The indigenous people of the Amazon rain forest have used crushed guaraná seed as a beverage and a medicine. Guaraná was used to treat diarrhea, decrease fatigue, reduce hunger, and to help arthritis.¹ It also has a history of use in treating hangovers from alcohol abuse and headaches related to menstruation.

Resources to help you learn more about popular supplements for fitness and weight control:

Armsey, TD Jr, Green GA. Nutrition Supplements: Science vs. Hype. Phys Sportsmed. 1997;25.

Antonio J, Stout JR. Sports Supplements. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2001.

Antonio J, Stout JR. Supplements for Endurance Athletes. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics, 2002.

Berardi J. Improving the Immune Systems of Athletes: Nutrition and Supplements. JohnBerardi.com (Science Link, Inc).
Available from URL: http://www.johnberardi.com/articles/supplementation/immunesys.htm

Bucci LR. Nutritional Ergogenic Aids. In: Wolinsky I, Hickson JF, eds. Nutrition in Exercise and Sport, 2nd ed. Boca Raton: CRC Press, 1994:295-346.

Burke E, Gastelu D. Avery’s Sports Nutrition Almanac. Garden City Park, NY: Avery Publishing Group, 1999.

Burke E. Optimal Muscle Recovery. New York: Avery, 1999.

Colgan M. Plant Sterols and Sterolins. Colgan Chronicles Newsletter 1999 Jan;3.

DerMarderosian A, Beutler JA, eds. The Review of Natural Products: The Most Complete Source of Natural Product Information, 3rd ed. St. Louis: Facts and Comparisons, 2002.

De Schepper L. Going for the Gold: Homeopathy for Sports Injuries. The Renaissance Institute of Classical Homeopathy.
Available from URL: http://www.drluc.com/sports.html

Feuer L, Farkas L, Nogradi M. Metabolic 5-methyl-isoflavone-derivatives, process for the preparation thereof and compositions containing the same. 1979 Aug 7; United States Patent 4,163,746.

5-Hydroxytryptophan (Monograph). Altern Med Review 1998;3:224–6.

Hammond, C. The Complete Family Guide to Homeopathy. New York: Penguin Studio, 1995.

Kelly G. Bromelain: A Literature Review and Discussion of its Therapeutic Applications. Altern Med Rev 1996:1.
Available from URL: http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/fulltext/bromelain1-4.html

Le Boucher J, Cynober LA. Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate: the puzzle. Nutrition 1998;14:870–3 [review].

Moro CO, Basile G. Obesity and medicinal plants. Fitoterapia 2000;71:S73–S82 [review].

Morrison D. Eucalyptus From Head to Toe. Alive: Canadian Journal of Health & Nutrition 2000;215:90.

Murray MT. Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements. Rocklin, CA: Prima, 1996.

National Council against Health Fraud (NCAHF). Natural Products for Athletic Performance. NCAHF Newsletter 1994 Jan/Feb;17.

Nutros.com (Nutros Sports Nutritional Supplements, LLC).
URL: http://www.nutros.com

Van Straten M. Guarana: The Energy Seeds and Herbs of the Amazon Rainforest. Saffron Walden, Essex, UK: C.W. Daniel Company, 1994.

Wernerman J, Hammarqvist F, Vinnars E. Alpha-ketoglutarate and postoperative muscle catabolism. Lancet 1990;335:701–3.

Hammarqvist F, Wernerman J, von der Decken A, Vinnars E. Alpha-ketoglutarate preserves protein synthesis and free glutamine in skeletal muscle after surgery. Surgery 1991;109:28–36.

Poster presentations at the annual meeting of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. Sports Nutr Rev J 2004;1:S10–S13.

Cylwik D, Mogielnicki A, Buczko W. L-arginine and cardiovascular system. Pharmacol Rep 2005;57:14–22 [review].

Copyright © 2011 Aisle7. All rights reserved. http://www.Aisle7.net

The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2011.