guarana

Native to the Amazon basin, Guarana is a climbing plant widely prized for its fruit/seeds. As a matter of fact, people have used Guarana seeds for centuries for many therapeutic purposes, such as obesity, athletic performance, and as an aphrodisiac. For one, the guarana fruit, which is about the size of a coffee berry, “contains an impressive range of stimulants, such as caffeine, theophylline and theobromine”. In fact, the antioxidant profile of Guarana resembles that of green tea as it is loaded with antioxidants, such as tannins, saponins and catechins. Bear in mind that antioxidants are essential because they neutralize free radicals, which in turn can cause damage linked to aging, heart disease, cancers and other medical conditions. In addition, the guarana fruit is an excellent source of caffeine “which helps you maintain focus and mental energy.” Furthermore, caffeine may boost your metabolism, thereby promoting weight loss. According to healthline.com, guarana has also been used for centuries “as a natural stomach tonic to treat digestive problems like chronic diarrhea and constipation” due to the fact that it is rich in tannins. According to uofmhealth.org, “guarana is considered possibly safe to use during pregnancy in small amounts”. However, caffeine in these seeds passes into breast milk and can affect a nursing baby. Therefore, you should not use excessive guarana if you are breastfeeding a baby.