Guarana, also known as Paullinia cupana, is a fruit native to the Amazon. For many years, people have used the fruit and its extract for weight loss, improving memory, and relieving chronic diarrhea.
Guarana is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant properties to many health benefits such as improved digestive health and focus. The fruit also contains stimulants such as caffeine that act as an energy booster.
Let’s have a look at the top 4 health benefits of guarana.
4 Potential Health Benefits of Guarana Extract
1. Contains Antibacterial Properties
One of the excellent qualities of guarana fruit is it can inhibit or kill harmful bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E.coli). Usually, E. Coli is found in human and animal intestines. Although not all of them are harmful, some can cause illness or diarrhea.
Guarana is also proven to suppress the growth of Streptococcus mutans, also known as S. mutans. It’s a bacteria responsible for tooth decay.
2. Can Reduce Fatigue and Improve Focus
Another superb benefit of guarana extract is that it can help relieve fatigue and boost energy. Guarana seeds contain four to six times more caffeine than coffee beans, which makes them an excellent ingredient to block the effects of adenosine, a compound that causes your brain to relax. Adenosine receptors, when bound to caffeine, become inactive.
A study shows that people who take guarana vitamin supplements feel less fatigued as compared to those who do not. Surprisingly, eating guarana can help lower mental fatigue in cancer patients without any significant side effects.
3. May Treat Chronic Diarrhea and Constipation
For centuries, guarana has been effectively used to treat digestive issues such as chronic diarrhea and constipation due to its antioxidant properties. The antibacterial effect is due to the combination of plant-based compounds (catechins or tannins) and caffeine.
Being an astringent, tannins can bind and contract tissue which allows it to waterproof your digestive tract walls as well as restricts how much water is discharged into your bowels.
Moreover, guarana naturally has a high amount of caffeine that may act as a laxative. Caffeine stimulates peristalsis, which activates contractions in your intestine and colon muscles. This process can treat constipation by pushing the content to the rectum.
4. Helps Weight Loss
One out of three adults in America is obese. Obesity is not only about being overweight but often comes with many health risks, including high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and cancer.
Guarana’s caffeine-rich properties can help lose weight and suppress cravings for junk food and snack between meals. That’s because consuming caffeine boosts your metabolism by 3-11% within 24 hours. A faster metabolism at rest will help your body burn more calories.
A study also reveals that guarana helps weight loss by suppressing fat cell production and supporting genes that slow it down. However, guaranas’ effect on fat cells needs further research.
Bottom Line
For many years, guarana has been used by Amazonian tribes for its pain-relieving effect. Guarana is most commonly used for reducing fatigue, improving learning abilities, and boosting energy.
A good thing is that you can easily add guarana extract into your routine through supplements. Diamond Glow is one such powder supplement that contains guarana extract, berries extract, grape seed extract, vitamin, and other natural ingredients. It helps boost your energy, relieve muscle pain, and treat many skin conditions like acne, dark spots, wrinkles, and more.