Guarana (Paullinia cupana) as a tool for helping with Metabolic support

The present study aimed to systematically assess acute, dose-related behavioural effects of an extract of guaraná plant for the first time in humans. This double-blind, counterbalanced, placebo-controlled study (n=26) assessed the acute mood and cognitive effects throughout the day of four different doses (37.5 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg and 300 mg) of a standardised guaraná extract (PC-102). Assessment included the Cognitive Drug Research computerized test battery and Bond-Lader mood scales. Guaraná improved secondary memory performance and increased alert and content mood ratings. The two lower doses produced more positive cognitive effects than the higher doses. This research supports previous findings of cognitive improvements following 75 mg guaraná and provides the first exploration of different dose effects of guaraná in humans. The findings suggest that the effects cannot be attributed to caffeine alone.

Consumption of guarana (Paullinia cupana) by alloxan-induced diabetic rats beneficially affected hepatic (ALT, AST) and renal function parameters and improved the lipid profile, suggesting guarana could serve as supportive antioxidant therapy in the management of diabetes.

In high-fat-diet-fed mice, guarana (Paullinia cupana) reduced body weight, adipose depots, glycaemia and triglycerides, increased oxygen consumption and energy expenditure, and stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis in muscle and brown adipose tissue, demonstrating that guarana increases energy metabolism and helps control weight gain.

Guarana (Paullinia cupana) had a dose-dependent triglyceride-reducing (anti-adipogenic) effect in 3T3-L1 cells, up-regulating anti-adipogenic genes and down-regulating pro-adipogenic genes via modulation of miRNAs and beta-catenin signalling, supporting its role in body-weight control and metabolic health.

Guarana (Paullinia cupana), an Amazonian plant rich in methylxanthines and flavonoids, has been studied for stimulating, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anticancer, hypocholesterolemic and anti-obesity effects. This narrative review organises the available evidence on guarana and human health, noting the need for more human and mechanistic studies.