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{{Cleanup|date=March 2007}}
{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Guaraná
| image = ‎Koeh-234.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[dicotyledon|Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Sapindales]]
| familia = [[Sapindaceae]]
| genus = '''''[[Paullinia]]'''''
| species = '''''P. cupana'''''
| binomial = ''Paullinia cupana''
| binomial_authority = [[Carl Sigismund Kunth|Kunth]]
}}

'''Guarana''' or '''Guaraná''' ({{IPA2|gu̯a.ra.'na}}, {{IPA|[gu̯a.ɾa.'na]}} or {{IPA|[gu̯a.ɹa.'na]}}), ''Paullinia cupana'' ([[synonymy|syn.]] ''P. crysan, P. sorbilis''), is a [[shrub]] or small [[tree]] in the [[Sapindaceae]] family, native to [[Venezuela]] and northern [[Brazil]]. The [[seed]] of the Guaraná [[fruit]] is a [[central nervous system]] [[stimulant]] with [[Thermogenics|thermogenic]] and [[diuretic]] properties.

The guaraná fruit's color ranges from orange to red and contain black [[seed]]s which are partly covered by white [[aril]]s. The color contrast when the fruit has been split open has been likened to eyeballs; this has formed the basis of a myth ''(see below)''.<ref name="culthistplants">{{cite book | author=Sir Ghillean Prance, Mark Nesbitt | title=Cultural History of Plants | publisher=Routledge | year=2004 | location=New York | page=179}}</ref>

Guaraná plays an important role in [[Tupi people|Tupi]] and [[Guaraní]] Brazilian culture. The name 'guaraná' is derived from the [[Tupi-Guarani]] word ''wara'ná''. These tribes believed it to be magical, a cure for bowel complaints and a way to regain strength. They also tell the myth of a 'Divine Child' that was killed by a [[Serpent (symbolism)|serpent]] and whose eyes gave birth to this plant.

==Uses==
Guaraná is mainly used as an ingredient in [[soft drink]]s and [[energy drink]]s. It is also used as a [[dietary supplement]], generally to promote weight loss. In addition, it may be an ingredient in other foods.

===Beverages===
In addition to other chemicals, the guaraná plant contains [[caffeine]] (sometimes called "guaranine"), [[theophylline]], and [[theobromine]]. Water extracts of the guarana plant are [[central nervous system]] [[stimulant]]s due to the content of these [[alkaloids]]. Energy drink manufacturers typically add [[Chemical synthesis|synthetic]] caffeine or caffeine derived from coffee [[decaffeination]], though many advertise "natural" caffeine from the seeds of guaraná.

[[Image:Guarana28.PNG|thumb|right|Guaraná [[soft drinks]] are very popular in Brazil.]]

[[Brazil]] produces several brands of soft drink from guaraná extract that contain no added caffeine. Each differs greatly in flavour; some have only a slight guaraná fruit taste. In Brazil, sales of guaraná drinks are even greater than that of [[cola]] drinks.{{Fact|date=May 2007}} They are typically fizzy and sweet, with a very fruity [[aftertaste]]. Most guaraná drinks are produced in Brazil and consumed locally or in nearby countries, such as [[Paraguay]]. Major brands include [[Guaraná Antarctica]], Guaraná Schin from [[Schincariol]] and Guaraná Brahma from [[AmBev]], [[Kuat]], and [[Guaraná Jesus]], a local Brazilian brand named for the druggist that formulated it.<ref>[http://www.s-t.com/daily/07-99/07-11-99/b03bu068.htm]</ref> Many local producers also create drinks not for export.

===Use as a means of weight loss===
[[Image:Guarana.jpg|thumb|left|Guaraná Seed Powder]]
Studies involving guaraná show benefits to cognitive function. <ref>{{cite journal | author=Haskell, et al. | title=A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose evaluation of the acute behavioural effects of guarana in humans | journal=J Psychopharmacol | year=2006 | id=PMID 16533867}}</ref> They have not been evaluated by the [[Food and Drug Administration]] ([[FDA]]) or any similar government agencies. In the United States, guaraná holds a GRAS-status, i.e. ''generally regarded as safe'' and must be labeled as ''not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.''

The [[Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics]] published a study in [[June]] [[2001
]] showing an average 11.2 pound weight loss in a group taking a mixture of [[yerba mate]], guaraná and [[damiana]], compared to an average 1 pound loss in a placebo group after 45 days.<ref>{{cite journal | author=Anderson, T and Foght, J | title=Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients | journal=J Hum Nutr Diet | year=2001 | pages=243 | volume=14 | issue=3 | url=http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1365-277X.2001.00290.x}}</ref>

A [[university]] study in [[Brazil]] of guaraná extract showed a [[platelet]] aggregation decrease of up to 37% of control values and a decrease of platelet thromboxane formation from [[arachidonic acid]] of up to 78% of control values. <ref>{{cite journal | author=Bydlowski SP, et al. | title=An aqueous extract of guarana (Paullinia cupana) decreases platelet thromboxane synthesis | journal=Braz J Med Biol Res | year=1991 | pages=421-4 | volume=24 | issue=4 | url=http://www.rxresearchgroup.com/mlm/ingredients/guarana.shtml#2}}</ref> This study may be significant to stroke and heart attack risk reduction because when excess thromboxane formation occurs, an arterial blood clot can develop, resulting in a heart attack or ischemic stroke.<ref>{{cite journal | author=Nicolaou, KC et al. | title=Synthesis and biological properties of pinane-thromboxane A2, a selective inhibitor of coronary artery constriction, platelet aggregation, and thromboxane formation | journal=Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA | year=1979 | pages=2566-2570 | volume=76 | issue=6 | id=PMID 383648}}</ref>

A separate 1997 study of guaraná's effects on the physical activity of rats showed increased memory retention and physical endurance when compared with a placebo.<ref>{{cite journal | author=Espinola EB, et al. | title=Pharmacological activity of Guarana (Paullinia cupana Mart.) in laboratory animals | journal=J Ethnopharmacol | year=1997 | pages=223-9 | volume=55 | issue=3 | url=http://moodfoods.com/guarana.htm}}</ref>

Other studies have shown [[antioxidant]], [[antibacterial]], and [[fat]] cell reduction (when combined with [[conjugated linoleic acid]]) properties in guaraná <ref>{{cite journal | author=Terpstra, et al. | title=The Decrease in Body Fat in Mice Fed Conjugated Linoleic Acid Is Due to Increases in Energy Expenditure and Energy Loss in the Excreta | journal=J Nutr | year=2002 | pages=940-945 | volume=132 | url=http://www.nemhaupt.de/obesity.htm}}</ref>

Although side-effects of guaraná are rare, drugs.com recommends, "When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous". Drugs.com also advises not to mix guaraná with [[ephedrine]].<ref>[http://www.drugs.com/mtm/guarana.html]</ref>

==Composition==
Guaraná seeds consist of mostly reddish [[vegetable fiber]] and [[resin]] with a small amount of oil and water. Guarana contains different amounts of [[caffeine]], [[theobromine]], [[theophylline]] and other alkaloids, compared to coffee, tea, [[Yerba mate|mate]], or [[cocoa]].

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Chemicals in: ''Paullinia cupana''[http://sun.ars-grin.gov:8080/npgspub/xsql/duke/plantdisp.xsql?taxon=703]
|-
! !! plant part !! ppm
|-
! Adenine
| seed ||
|-
! Ash
| seed || < 14,200
|-
! Caffeine
| plant || < 25,000
|-
! Caffeine
| seed || 9,100 - 76,000
|-
! Catechutannic-acid
| seed ||
|-
! Choline
| seed ||
|-
! D-catechin
| seed ||
|-
! Fat
| seed || < 30,000
|-
! Guanine
| seed ||
|-
! Guaranine
| seed ||
|-
! Hypoxanthine
| seed ||
|-
! Mucilage
| seed ||
|-
! Protein
| seed || < 98,600
|-
! Resin
| seed || < 70,000
|-
! Saponin
| seed ||
|-
! Starch
| seed || 50,000 - 60,000
|-
! Tannin
| seed || 50,000 - 120,000
|-
! Theobromine
| seed || 200 - 400
|-
! Theophylline
| seed || 0 - 2500
|-
! Timbonine
| seed ||
|-
! Xanthine
| seed ||
|-
|}

::(*) ppm = parts per million
::tr = trace


Duke1992a: Duke, James A. 1992. ''Handbook of phytochemical constituents of GRAS herbs and other economic plants.'' Boca Raton, FL. CRC Press.

===Guaranine and caffeine===
The chemical "[[guaranine]]" is identical to [[caffeine]] derived from other sources, for example [[coffee]], [[tea]] and [[Yerba Mate|mate]]. Guaranine, [[theine]], [[mateine]] are all official synonyms for caffeine. 

==See also==
[[List of beverages containing guarana]]

==External resources==
* [http://www.symmetrix.ch/Public/guarana/ Guaraná Home Page]
* [http://www.rain-tree.com/guarana.htm Raintree Tropical Plant Database: Guaraná]
* [http://www.natural-medicinal-herbs.com/herbs/guarana.htm Other information from an herbal supplements site]
* [http://sun.ars-grin.gov:8080/npgspub/xsql/duke/plantdisp.xsql?taxon=703 Duke's Database]
* [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl?Paullinia%20cupana USDA Database]
* [http://www.guarana.us.tt Acai, Guarana. Export from the source.]

== Footnotes ==
<div class="references-small">
<references />
</div>

[[Category:Sapindaceae]]
[[Category:Fruit]]
[[Category:Herbal and fungal stimulants]]
[[Category:Trees of Venezuela]]
[[Category:Trees of Brazil]]
[[Category:Tropical agriculture]]

Guarana - Revision history

MediaWiki default at 13:26, 17 May 2007