Fat Burner #11: GUARANA (Paullinia cupana)

What is it?

Guarana is an herb that grows within the Brazilian Amazon rainforest. It contains significant amounts of guaranine (the active constituent that's virtually identical to caffeine) and has thus been used for centuries by indigenous tribes to help reduce hunger, relieve fatigue, and treat obesity. The surprising truth about guarana is that while it may be a valuable aid for temporarily increasing energy levels (which is usually needed before an intense workout or first thing in the morning as a "pick-me-up"), its ability to "free" fatty acids (i.e., fat cells) into the bloodstream and break down and mobilize these fat cells to use for energy makes it a "natural" choice for effective fat loss.

How it works

Like caffeine, guarana works by stimulating the adrenal glands to release the hormones epinephrine, norepinephrine (a.k.a. adrenaline), and dopamine, which in turn enhance thermogenesis—the body's ability to free fatty acids and use them for energy production (i.e., fat loss) as well as energy, endurance, and mental clarity. Contrary to popular (and limiting!) belief, these effects can be obtained seemingly without the often-proclaimed negative side effects. Nevertheless, guarana does have mild diuretic effects, so increasing water intake is very important with use of this herb.

What does the science say?

Dr. Torben Andersen undertook a study at Charlottenlund Medical Centre in Denmark with 44 healthy overweight patients using an herbal combination of guarana and another two herbs, yerba mate and Damiana. Dr. Andersen's results were quite positive: those taking the herbal combination for 45 days lost an average of five kilograms (or about 11 lbs). The difference was significant when compared to the placebo group, which lost only an average of 0.45 kg (or about one pound). Also noteworthy, the herbal combination delayed gastric emptying by 20 minutes, which means a longer feeling of fullness after eating a meal.

In a brand new study presented at the Experimental Biology meetings this year, scientists gave mice either CLA or CLA plus the herbal stimulant guarana. What was interesting is that although the CLA group dramatically reduced the adipocyte (fat cell) size, the CLA plus the addition of guarana reduced the fat cells by an incredible 50%—in just six weeks.

How to take it

Reports of use range anywhere from 500 to 1,000 mg, taken up to three times per day for increased thermogenic effects or instant energy.

Important Tip: Guarana should be standardized for a minimum of 15% caffeine—more simply put, to equal 100 mg of caffeine, about 450 mg of guarana would need to be consumed (equal to about a cup of coffee).

Guarana Ratings