Guarana health benefits includes supporting healthy digestion, promoting mental health, reducing stress, source of energy, supporting weight loss, supporting healthy cardiovascular system and blood thinning. Other benefits includes supporting healthy skin, calming PMS symptoms, treating headaches and migraines and treating hair problems like dandruff.
This tiny berry called Guarana is packed full of nutrients and has plenty of health benefits; this article focuses on 11 amazing benefits of guarana.
There are a few written records of the use of this berry, but it has been an integral part of the Amazonian culture in preparing balms and ointments. The tribe of Mauses-sateres first discovered the medicinal properties of the seeds of this plant. They referred to the preparations made from these seeds as the “elixir of long life.” This plant was dried out in the sun to make to make the removal of seeds easier; these extracted seeds were then toasted and ground for use.
These tribes thrived on the properties of this plant; it was used as an astringent and stimulant. They consumed it during days of fasting to keep the nutritional levels of the body intact; it acts as an anorectic to tolerate dietary restrictions.
Guarana was the source of preventative medicine for these indigenous tribes; they even used the powder prepared from the seeds to create molds.
What Is Guarana?
It is a plant named after the Guarani tribe in the Amazon. It is a tint berry which is red. This is mostly found in Brazil and is an important component of modern medicine. It is a climbing plant which belongs to the maple family, with fruit the size of a coffee bean. The seeds are black and are covered by arils; it pretty much resembles the human eyeball once split open.
A myth created by the people of the Mauses tribe entails the story of a deity killing the most beloved child of the village. This act prompted another deity to console the villagers by plucking the left eye of the child and planting it in the forest (Wild guarana) and the right eye in the village (domesticated variety of guarana).
Guarana contains a good amount of caffeine and other chemical compounds which are responsible for its many medicinal properties.
Nutritional Chart of Guarana
This nutritional chart is based on 100 grams serving of the guarana powder
- Energy 338 kcal
- Protein 12.67g
- Carbohydrate 59.06g
- Fat 95g
- Omega 3 0.15g
- Omega 6 0.39g
- Fiber 21g
- Salt 001g
Guarana powder has been used for its excellent medicinal properties for ages. It provides a good amount of protein and is a natural source of energy.
11 Amazing Health Benefits of Guarana
Guarana has gained popularity in the modern medical world due to its properties as a healer and rejuvenator. Following are a few ways it can benefit the health of the human body.
1. Healthy Digestion
Guarana has been a part of digestive disorder treatments since ancient times; tonics were created using guarana to be consumed when faced with bowel problems such as diarrhea. It has a good amount of fiber which is essential for the regulation of bowel movements and to maintain overall gut health. A healthy gut is often guaranteed that the rest of the body will remain disease-free.
2. Mental Health
Guarana has stimulating properties that help the body with circulation. Not only this, foods rich in naturally occurring omega 3 and omega 6 are excellent promoters of brain development and health. Good fats ensure that the nerves in your brain are functioning properly and that your memory will stay intact even as the mind ages. Sufficient amounts of good fats can keep memory-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and nerve related diseases such as Parkinson’s at bay.
3. Stress Reduction
Guarana is an excellent source of caffeine along with chemical compounds which make us feel better. This is helpful in alleviating mood and clarifying the mind, it is often used as a part of anti-stress medication and being a natural source of caffeine is useful for the body.
4. Source of Energy
It is an amazing stimulant and energy booster, this keeps the energy levels of the body high due to its caffeine content but is better than coffee as it also contains protein and fiber which provide nutrition to the body instead of empty calories. Guarana has more caffeine than the coffee beans and is sure to keep your energy levels high throughout the day instead of the crashes similar to coffee consumption.
5. Weight Loss
Maintaining a healthy body weight is necessary to keep many obesity-related diseases at a distance. Guarana has been studied to be show appetite suppressant properties, and the good amount of fiber fatty acids and protein are ideal for weight loss. You can use this is excellent after work out snack, add it to your smoothie to get the desired results.
6. Healthy Cardiovascular System
Despite the popular belief that caffeine is not the best for you, guarana is very good for your entire cardiovascular system. It is a stimulant which provides adequate blood circulation and also helps remove the excessive accumulation of fat in the arteries due to its fiber content. Its chemical composition also shows antioxidant properties which keep the free radical activity to a minimum
Guarana has chemical compounds such as catechins which make it a wonderful blood thinning agent; this is very beneficial to the circulation process and keeps the body health in check. It does not affect the consistency of blood to a dangerous level rather helps maintain a balance.
8. Healthy Skin
The protein content and antioxidant properties in guarana make it an ideal food for the skin. It can also be added to face masks to improve skin tone. It also helps treat acne and reduce the appearance of scars; it also acts as a moisturizer and keeps the skin looking healthy and supple.
9. Calms PMS Symptoms
This is a painkiller for those uncomfortable cramps that most women experience. It regulates the cycle well and improves energy levels. It prevents the fluids from clotting and ensures that they are removed from the body properly and painlessly.
10. Analgesic Properties
Guarana has shown antibacterial and pain-killer like abilities which are very useful for people who have sustained an injury or are suffering from headaches and migraines. This reduces the pain a great deal and was used for this purpose by the Amazonian tribes.
11. Hair Loss and Dandruff
Think of the most common hair problems, dandruff and hair loss. Guarana has excellent protein amounts and fatty acids which help build hair follicles and also keep the base of the scalp dandruff free. Oral consumption is very beneficial, but adding it to your shampoo or using the water in which these berries have been boiled can be very useful as a rinse.
Guarana is one of the lesser known berries that have exceptional amounts of caffeine; it also encompasses necessary nutrients for the body which make it a healthier choice.