Product to Avoid Side Effects of an American Favorite
A guarana plant
Coffee is beloved by many for its soothing aromas, distinct taste and caffeine potency. Unfortunately, the popular hot drink has downsides, most notably, bad breath, teeth staining, and jitters. Drinking coffee on an empty stomach has been proven to damage the stomach lining.
Guarana is used to flavor popular soft drinks of same name in Brazil
A natural alternative to coffee for those who want the caffeine, but not the side effects is guarana. Guarana is a tropical plant native to South America. In Brazil, the plant, which resembles an eyeball in its natural form is used in flavorings and as a natural stimulant. More specifically, guarana is used to flavor popular soft drinks by the same name. Coca-Cola owns a guarana soft drink brand in Brazil called Kuat.
Powdered guarana is used for its power as a stimulant and other reported benefits
While more commonly used for soft drink flavoring, guarana in these drinks have minimal benefits as a stimulant. Instead, the powder form or po de guarana is the purest form with the highest caffeine content. In certain places in Brazil, such as the Midwest state of Mato Grosso guarana in this form is the traditional drink, instead of coffee.
Traditionally, powdered guarana is mixed with water. Some add a touch of sugar given the gritty consistency and earthy taste of the product. Today, in the US guarana can be found in small doses in energy drinks like Monster or in capsule form at popular pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens.
In addition to being a stimulant, guarana does not cause bad breath or stain teeth. In this writer’s experience, guarana also does not create highs and crashes like coffee. Some drink guarana only in the morning, while others take a second dose after lunch. It is not recommended, as with any caffeine product, that one drinks guarana close to bedtime as it can cause insomnia.
Other reported benefits of guarana include stimulating new cell growth and giving skin a youthful appearance, acting as an antioxidant, improving concentration, reducing excess glucose and cholesterol, regulating the digestive system, helping weight loss, thinning of blood, reducing anxiety, and more. Some of these benefits have not been proven by research.
The Federal Drug Administration in the United States has not approved guarana as a medicinal product. The product is considered a herbal supplement in the US. Headaches are one of the most common side effects of guarana use as is the case with other caffeine related products that can cause dependency. Other considerations should be discussed with a medical professional. Given that guarana is a stimulant it is particularly important for those with heart issues to discuss consumption with their doctor.
Currently, the most common places to find powdered guarana is in capsule form at pharmacies or in loose form on online stores like Amazon.
Warnings: I am not a medical professional and the above is not medical advice. I am also not a producer, seller or ambassador of a brand of this product. The above article is for informational purposes only.
