Guaraná
Avoid Guaraná
(Paullinia cupana)
Do not use Guarana, as it contains caffeine. Guaraná seeds have the highest caffeine content (2.5%-5%) of any known plant. Caffeine enhances the action of cAMP by inhibiting its breakdown, resulting in more circulating cAMP, increasing cyst growth, creating more cysts, enlarging cystic organs and increasing symptoms. Caffeine also stimulates the central nervous system, heart, and muscles. It contains theophylline and theobromine, which are chemicals similar to caffeine.
Guarana is named for the Guarani tribe in the Amazon, who use the seeds to brew a drink. This can be used for weight loss, to enhance athletic performance, as a stimulant, and to reduce mental and physical fatigue. It is a frequent addition to energy and weight loss products. Some people also use guarana to treat low blood pressure and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), and to prevent malaria and dysentery. It is also used to enhance sexual desire, to increase urine flow, and as an astringent. Avoid guarana.
Guaraná (Paullinia cupana), also known as Brazilian cocoa, grows as a shrub or woody vine in Brazil. It is used as a soft drink flavoring in Brazil. Guaraná appears to have stimulant and ergogenic properties, but whether guaraná has caffeine-independent pharmacologic effects is not clear.
