Your pancreas plays an important role in glucose metabolism. It excretes a hormone known as insulin that, when released into your bloodstream, reduces blood sugar levels. Caffeine is shown to decrease your sensitivity to insulin, which is known as insulin resistance. Guarana is a plant known for its high caffeine content. Its seeds contain twice the amount of caffeine as coffee beans. You should consult your doctor before taking guarana, especially if you have blood sugar problems.
Significance
Carbohydrates provide your body with its primary fuel source. Your body breaks them down to glucose, commonly known as blood sugar. Blood sugar regulation is important because high levels of sugar in your blood adversely affect your health. High blood sugar can damage your nerves, blood vessels and eyes. Consistently high blood sugar increases your risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Insulin helps regulate your blood sugar levels to assure that they are not too high or too low.
Guarana
Historically, people used guarana as an herbal medicine for headaches and fevers. Today, guarana is a common ingredient in energy drinks and weight-loss supplements. Proponents claim guarana can increase alertness, energy and sexual performance. The caffeine content is generally responsible for most of guarana's effects. Caffeine is the most widely used stimulant in the world. It stimulates your central nervous system, which results in the attributed effects.
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is when your body becomes less sensitive to the effects of insulin. This can cause your pancreas to secrete more insulin in order to lower blood sugar. Over time this can result in high blood sugar levels, which increases your risk for diabetes. Caffeine is shown to decrease insulin sensitivity by about 15 percent after consumption, according to a study published in the February 2002 issue of the journal "Diabetes Care."
Precautions
Typical doses of caffeine are not considered harmful if you are a healthy adult. Typical guarana-containing supplements render a caffeine content of about 100 to 180 mg of caffeine per serving. Caffeine amounts of less than 500 mg per day are considered safe. You should consult your doctor if you currently have insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes. Guarana's general side effects are similar to those of caffeine, which include restlessness, irritability and problems sleeping.
