Scientific name: Paullinia cupana
Origin: Amazon Rainforest
Guarana is a small fruit from the Amazon Rainforest with a shell that is normally yellow red. When ripe, it may be opened to show a white pulp with black seeds like eyes.
This plant contains caffeine (called guaranine in the guarana plant).
Guarana has a beneficial effect on energy and alertness.
Its high tannin content (up to 12%) allows guaranine (or caffeine) to be dispersed slower, with less force. This calms the agitation and nervousness that normally is associated with coffee consumption.
Guaranine | Derived from purine, similar to caffeine | Alleviates migraines, sleepiness and fatigue |
Theophylline | Methylxanthine | – Psychoanaleptic, central nervous system stimulant, and improves mood – Broncholidator increases the diameter of the bronchi, improving respiration – Diuretic |
Theobromine | Methylxanthine, similar to caffeine, also found in cocoa | – Has a positive effect on the mood – It is a vasodilator, allowing blood pressure to diminish (leaving more space for blood pressure to circulate) and it increases blood flow – Cardio-stimulant |