Guarana has been known and used by the people of the Amazon for centuries. It’s distinctive eyeball-shaped seeds are hard to miss.
But how does it stand up against its staple, Coffee? Well, their seeds contain 2–8% caffeine as opposed to coffee’s 1–3%. Garana is also claimed to be one of the most caffeine-rich plants in the world and has also been shown to have more of a slow burn of caffeine as opposed to coffee’s more direct short term.
Though more study and research are needed, guarana has been shown to increase reaction times and can provide a greater stimulation effect than coffee, which could lead to an alternative for those sensitive to coffee. Some research also suggests a weight loss factor in conjunction with the body’s metabolism. But guarana doesn’t just contain caffeine, it has flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, which can play a role in inflammation and cholesterol.
Care and attention are needed though, for those sensitive to caffeine and the daily recommended limit should be followed. Especially being mindful of the time before having guarana and coffee in relation to sleep time, considering caffeine may still be present in your system even hours after consuming which can lead to prolonged wakefulness and difficulty relaxing before bed.
As always, it is important to seek the advice of a trained medical professional if caffeine is becoming more a necessity than an enjoyment, as this could be a sign of a sleep disorder or an irregularity in the body.
https://www.boots.com/healthhub/vitamins-supplements/what-is-guarana?srsltid=AfmBOoo238mgBsUvhDGxpK-ysdrPCH0IYQyv6BcOwp3UGeAjHPDF9aIM
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/guarana-vs-caffeine#is-guarana-healthier
