Pharmacological Actions

Antioxidant^{[3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13]}

Physical performance / ergogenic^{[6, 8, 11, 12, 13]}

Physical performance / strength improvement

Neuroprotective / cognition support^{[9, 11, 12, 13]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Cognitive function^{[1, 11, 12, 13]}Good · 8/10

inferred from neuroprotective action

more plants for cognitive function →detailed sources →

Fatigue / low energy^{[2, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13]}Strong · 9/10

inferred from ergogenic action

more plants for fatigue / low energy →detailed sources →

Memory^{[1, 9, 11, 12, 13]}Good · 8/10

inferred from neuroprotective action

more plants for memory →detailed sources →

Metabolic support^{[5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 5/10

more plants for metabolic support →detailed sources →

Muscle soreness^{[6, 11, 12, 13]}Moderate · 6/10

inferred from ergogenic action

more plants for muscle soreness →detailed sources →

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[11, 12, 13]}Caution

Guarana contains very high levels of caffeine (2–4 times that of coffee by weight). All the cautions of caffeine apply — avoid in cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension, anxiety disorders, insomnia, and during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Should not be combined with other stimulants, MAOIs, or medications affected by caffeine. Risk of dependence and withdrawal symptoms with prolonged high-dose use.

Safety note^{[11, 12, 13]}Serious

Duke (2002) rates guarana as ++ and notes CNS-stimulant, anti-aggregant, diuretic, and thermogenic activities, primarily due to its high caffeine content (3–5%). It has positive chronotropic and inotropic effects on the heart. Duke flags guarana as genotoxic and mutagenic at the experimental level (score 1), which warrants caution with high-dose supplementation. Contraindicated in cardiovascular disease, anxiety disorders, peptic ulcers, and during pregnancy. Interactions include potentiation of other stimulants and anticoagulants (Duke, 2002).

References

REF-0950, REF-0951, REF-0952, REF-0953, REF-0954, REF-0955, REF-0956, REF-0957, REF-0958, REF-0959

References & Sources

Hack, B., Penna, E.M., Talik, T., Chandrashekhar, R. and Millard-Stafford, M (2023) 'Effect of Guarana (Paullinia cupana) on Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis', Nutrients, 15(2), pp. 434. doi:10.3390/nu15020434 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15020434
de Araujo, D.P., Pereira, P.T.V.T., Fontes, A.J.C., Marques, K.D.S. and others (2021) 'The use of guarana (Paullinia cupana) as a dietary supplement for fatigue in cancer patients: a systematic review with a meta-analysis', Supportive Care in Cancer, 29(12), pp. 7171-7182. doi:10.1007/s00520-021-06242-5 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-021-06242-5
Aldhahrani, A (2021) 'Protective effects of guarana (Paullinia cupana) against methotrexate-induced intestinal damage in mice', Food Science & Nutrition, 9(7), pp. 3397-3404. doi:10.1002/fsn3.2101 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.2101
Sirena, D.H., Araujo, A.B., Silveira, A.B.T., Serafini, M.A. and others (2024) 'Guarana (Paullinia cupana) as a potential tool for mesenchymal stromal cells priming in regenerative medicine', Brazilian Journal of Medical and Biological Research, 57, pp. e13286. doi:10.1590/1414-431X2024e13286 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1590/1414-431X2024e13286
Torres, E.A.F.S., Pinaffi-Langley, A.C.D.C., Figueira, M.S., Cordeiro, K.S. and others (2022) 'Effects of the consumption of guarana on human health: A narrative review', Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 21(1), pp. 272-295. doi:10.1111/1541-4337.12862 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.1111/1541-4337.12862
Penna, E.M., Harp, A., Hack, B., Talik, T.N. and Millard-Stafford, M (2024) 'Guarana (Paullinia cupana) but Not Low-Dose Caffeine Improves Cycling Time-Trial Performance Versus Placebo', International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 34(1), pp. 30-37. doi:10.1123/ijsnem.2023-0148 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijsnem.2023-0148
Lima, N.D.S., Numata, E.P., Mesquita, L.M.S., Dias, P.H. and others (2017) 'Modulatory Effects of Guarana (Paullinia cupana) on Adipogenesis', Nutrients, 9(6), pp. 635. doi:10.3390/nu9060635 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9060635
Lima, N.D.S., Teixeira, L., Gambero, A. and Ribeiro, M.L (2018) 'Guarana (Paullinia cupana) Stimulates Mitochondrial Biogenesis in Mice Fed High-Fat Diet', Nutrients, 10(2), pp. 165. doi:10.3390/nu10020165 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10020165
Zamberlan, D.C., Arantes, L.P., Machado, M.L., da Silveira, T.L. and others (2020) 'Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) protects against amyloid-beta toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans through heat shock protein response activation', Nutritional Neuroscience, 23(6), pp. 444-454. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2018.1517473 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1080/1028415X.2018.1517473
Abboud, R.S., Ribeiro, I.C.A., Pereira, V.A., Correa, L.B.N. and others (2020) 'Guarana (Paullinia cupana) consumption improves hepatic and renal parameters in alloxan-induced diabetic rats', Nutricion Hospitalaria, 37(2), pp. 343-348. doi:10.20960/nh.02759 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.20960/nh.02759
Amaral, J.F., Neto, F.R.A., Ferreira, F.M., Leite, E.P. and Andrade, C.M.B (2015) 'Guarana (Paullinia cupana): toxic behavioral effects in laboratory animals and antioxidants activity in vitro', pp. 174--182. Traditional / reference
Find this source
Haskell, C.F., Kennedy, D.O., Wesnes, K.A., Milne, A.L. and Scholey, A.B (2007) 'A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose evaluation of the acute behavioural effects of guarana in humans', 21(1), pp. 65--70. Randomized trial
Find this source
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.). Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org

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