Guarana, a Health Drink?

Guarana, a small but powerful seed

Guarana is a seed from a shrub traditionally cultivated by the Satéré Maué Indians in the Brazilian Amazon. It is known for its anti-fatigue properties: in fact, it is one of the richest foods in caffeine, three to four times more than coffee!

Guarana is highly valued in Brazil, both as a drink, a stimulant, and a traditional remedy. It arrived in Europe with the first settlers. By the 19th century in France, guarana extract was already used to make a stimulant drink. Today, athletes use it as an anti-fatigue agent, in weight loss diets as a “fat burner” and for occasional physical and intellectual performance enhancement.

The key ingredient in energy drinks

Guarana is one of the favorite ingredients for manufacturers creating energy drinks. However, be cautious, these drinks can be harmful to health: very high in sugar, they can contribute to overweight, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes. Beyond guarana, which is a healthy ingredient in itself, they contain synthetic substances like taurine, whose long-term effects on the body are unknown. Additionally, they can cause short-term palpitations or even heart problems if consumed excessively.

Guarana Antarctica, to avoid

Brazilians are very fond of this guarana soda: it is the second-best-selling soft drink after Coca-Cola and one of the 15 best-selling soft drinks in the world! Guarana Antarctica is the best-known brand in Brazil; it has existed since 1921. Its caffeine content is light (0.9 mg / 100 ml) although one of the selling points of guarana soda is that it is an energy drink.

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Brazilian Guarana Antarctica and its counterparts (Guarana Jesus, Fanta with guarana…) are especially loaded with sugar: there are 36 grams per can, which is already 148% of the recommended daily sugar intake! So consume with great moderation, and avoid completely for children.

However, this does not mean depriving yourself of consuming guarana. To get the most out of the benefits of guarana, we prefer it in powder or capsule form, naturally. We also prefer organic guarana to ensure it is free of pesticide residues.

Health drinks with guarana

It is possible to drink guarana and enjoy its “boost” effect while benefiting from its health advantages by rediscovering the original guarana drink consumed by the Amerindians. The çapo is indeed a ritual and medicinal drink obtained by mixing guarana powder with water.

Consuming guarana in powder form

The healthiest way to consume guarana is indeed to consume it in powder form, by mixing it in a glass of water.

Guarana should be consumed in the morning to make the most of its energizing properties and to avoid insomnia. Similarly, to prevent sleep problems or unwanted side effects, no more than 5 grams per day should be consumed.

Those who don’t like its bitter taste can mix guarana powder with juice, a smoothie, or yogurt.

Recipes for homemade guarana drinks

You can make your own homemade energy drink with guarana powder. For this, blend together a beetroot, the juice of two organic oranges, a teaspoon of guarana, and a bit of cinnamon or grated ginger.

Another little energy bomb for athletes: blend a banana, a teaspoon of guarana, almond milk, and acerola or cherry juice with ice cubes. Delicious before going for a run in the morning!

You can also make a fat-burning drink by warming a large cup of green tea, to which you add a teaspoon of guarana powder and freshly mixed pineapple juice.

Let your imagination run wild and create guarana cocktails to make the most of its various virtues! In any case, skip the sugar and opt for honey, agave syrup, or naturally sweetened fruits, like pear or banana.

Read also | Our tips for choosing the best guarana

Which guarana drinks to stay in shape?

There are also guarana drinks available commercially that can be consumed for a natural energy boost. We always prioritize organic guarana drinks, preferably without added sugar.

Spirtonic is, for example, a powder made from spirulina, guarana, acerola, and spices to mix in juice. We benefit from the virtues of these three superfoods for a genuine boost! The brand Matahi also sells juices that combine baobab fruit, a energizing super fruit, with guarana seed and either lemon or ginger, for natural energy drinks. Finally, the start-up Nossa! offers an “Energy” juice made with organic guarana and açaí, another super fruit from the Brazilian Amazon.

One precaution to take, however, whether it’s homemade guarana drinks or commercial cocktails: never mix guarana with ephedra. Indeed, a scientific study has proven that this fat-burning cocktail can cause significant side effects: irritability, increased blood pressure, palpitations… Ephedra is prohibited in Canada, but it is sometimes sold online in some weight loss supplements.