Guaraná (Paullinia sorbilis)

     Guaraná [pronounced “gwa-rah-NAH”] is derived from the seeds of a fruit grown on a shrub that is native to Venezuela and Northern Brazil.  It has been used for centuries by South American Indians in the preparation of foods, drinks and medicine.  Today, guaraná is widely recognized as an effective cardiovascular drug, a pain-reliever, astringent and tonic used to treat diarrhea, hypertension, fever, migraine and dysentery.  It is also reputed to naturally increase mental alertness, fight fatigue and increase stamina and physical endurance.   Some people even say that guaraná is an aphrodisiac. Guaraná can also be used as an effective appetite suppressant if you are trying to lose weight..

Guaraná Berry

     The main ingredient of guaraná is guaranine, a substance that is named after the Guarani Indians of the Amazon, who wild-harvest the seeds and process them into paste by hand.  Guaraná has many of the same characteristics as caffeine, but without the uncomfortable jittery energy often experienced by coffee drinkers.   To give some perspective, the average cup of drip coffee contains 65 to175 milligrams of caffeine.  A typical guaraná-based syrup contains about 200 mg of guaranine/caffeine per serving, but some very strong guaraná-based syrups can contain up to 350 milligrams per serving.   Coffee beans typically contain 5% to 10% caffeine and guaraná seeds typically contain 5% to 10% guaranine.    Outside of the natural growing region, guaraná is most often available as an extract, a syrup, or a powder, and is a very versatile addition to foods and beverages.

         The chemical composition of guaraná seeds is as follows:

Vegetable fiber: 49.125 %
Reddish resin: 8.800 %
Starch: 8.350 %
Water: 7.650 %
Pectin, malic acid, mucilage, dextrin, salts: 7.470 %
Guarana-tannic acid: 5.902 %
Caffeine: 5.388 %
Yellowish steady oil: 2.950 %
Pyro-guarana acid: 2.750 %
Reddish colorant: 1.520 %
Amorphous substances: 0.606 %
Saponin: 0.060 %