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Guarana to Lose Weight

Jul 13, 2011 | By Michelle Matte
Guarana to Lose Weight
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In an effort to lose weight, dieters often turn to natural products and supplements to help boost energy and suppress hunger. One ingredient common to weight-loss and energy products is guarana, a plant high in caffeine. While there is some evidence to suggest that products containing guarana can help speed weight loss, there may be dangerous side effects.

Guarana

Guarana, a bushy plant native to the Amazon basin and known by its botanical name, paulina cupana, has been used for centuries as a medicinal treatment for conditions ranging from headache to sexual dysfunction. According to the Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, the active property of guarana is caffeine, found mostly in its seeds. Guarana seeds contain between 2 to 7.5 percent caffeine, and are nearly four times more potent than coffee.

Weight Loss Properties

To date, the only known weight-loss property of guarana is caffeine. The high caffeine content makes guarana an effective appetite suppressant. Taken in high doses, caffeine is known to rev up your metabolism, increase heart rate, elevate blood pressure, stimulate skeletal muscle and increase hyperglycemia, an elevated amount of sugar in the blood. The combined effects of increased basal metabolism and decreased appetite may help create a caloric energy deficit resulting in weight loss.

Supporting Evidence

A number of studies have been conducted exploring the effectiveness of guarana in promoting weight loss. A 2001 study published in the "International Journal of Obesity" monitored overweight men and women who were given ma huang-guarana over a period of eight weeks, comparing them to a control group who received a placebo. The guarana group lost significantly more weight and body fat than the control group. Another study published in "Phytotherapy Research" in February, 2011 examined elderly Amazonians who were habitual guarana users. They found long term use to result in a lower prevalence of obesity, metabolic syndrome and hypertension compared to a control group of non-users.

Dangers and Side Effects

While use of guarana may help you lose weight, some reports of negative side effects should be noted. A 2005 study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco of healthy adults who were given doses of guarana and ephedra saw significant unfavorable cardiovascular and metabolic changes. Researchers said the negative effects could worsen insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, conditions common in obese individuals. Cases of seizures, increased hypertension and irregular heart rhythms have been reported from guarana use. Dieters should also beware of the high content of high fructose corn syrup found in some ephedra products that could undermine weight loss efforts.

References

Article reviewed by Jenna Marie Last updated on: Jul 13, 2011

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