Many more than once faced with such a name as guarana, as part of various means for losing weight or stimulating the nervous system. Behind such a colorful and incomprehensible name lies a beautiful and very interesting-looking creeping shrub. But the distinguishing feature of it was not only a unique appearance, but also useful properties, which are quite a lot. This plant is widely used in the preparation of special nutrition for athletes, in complexes for weight loss and many other cases. What are its useful properties and what can be obtained from it - learn below.
What is guarana
To begin with, guarana is an evergreen shrub that grows in warm countries such as Brazil, Paraguay, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and even the forests of the Amazon. A distinctive and memorable feature is precisely its appearance: the plant produces red inflorescences and fruits, which contain seeds that resemble the real eyes of man. 
Only seeds are used from guarana: they are fried and ground into a paste with water, after which it is dried, and a powder is obtained, which, in fact, is used today in many preparations and additives.
Did you know? There is a legend that Guarana acquired its appearance after killing a little boy, who was loved by everyone in the village. The evil god deprived him of his life, but another decided to take both eyes from the child and give it to people who were very sad about losing the boy. One eye, God planted in the forest, and then there began to grow guarana, and the second gave the village so that people can learn how to use the plant.
Nutritional value and calorie
As part of the fruit of the plant are tannins and many vitamins: this includes rare vitamin PP, vitamins E and A, there is also a complex of vitamins B - B1 and B2. Guaranine and caffeine are found in large quantities, as well as zinc, sodium, magnesium, and manganese. Here you can find such useful and rare elements as saponin, amide, theobromine and theophylline.
The calorie content of the plant is as follows: 0.1% of proteins, 6.5% of carbohydrates, and fats are completely absent. The fruit contains about 25-26 kcal per 100 g of product.
Learn more about the beneficial properties of fruits: figs, kumquat, feijoa, longan, medlar, kivano, guava, pineapple, arbutus, yoshta, goji, mulberry, strawberry, raspberry (black), currant (red, white, black), plum, nectarine , peach, apricots, pears, apples, mandarin.
Useful properties of guarana
The plant boasts a fairly large list of useful actions that it has on the human body:
- tannins contained in the product help strengthen the walls of the stomach and intestines, help get rid of diseases and disorders in their work;
- seeds are often used in the treatment of dysentery, fever as an anti-inflammatory agent, and also as a spasmolytic for arthritis;
- Guarana has established itself as a very useful and effective tool for migraines of varying intensity, as it helps to reduce the number of attacks;
- eating fruits contributes to the concentration and stimulation of the nervous system. They improve memory, increase the efficiency of the body, especially the brain;
- Since guarana improves the body's metabolism, removes toxins and excess fluid, it is often used as a means for losing weight. The powder of the plant is added to various dietary supplements and drugs for weight loss;
- small addition of food to food on an ongoing basis helps to improve blood circulation and heart function. Guarana also removes cholesterol from the body;
- the plant relieves constant fatigue and relieves stress, helps to overcome depression and irritability. Increases overall stamina and improves mood.
Did you know? Guarana seeds have a very pleasant and tasty aroma of coffee and chocolate. All due to the fact that the plant contains a lot of caffeine.
Video: useful properties and application of guarana
Guarana application
The first to use guarana in food were the Indians, because they appreciated its analgesic and sedative properties. In the modern world, the plant is used as an additive in nutrition for athletes, is included in weight loss complexes and is often added to medications, as it helps in the treatment of neurological abnormalities, problems with the vascular and cardiac systems. Often you can find teas and other beverages with the content of this plant, which help to tone up the body and promote concentration.
Nuts - an important component of any proper and healthy diet. Find out what are useful: walnuts for men and women, Brazil nuts, Manchurian nuts, pine nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts, pistachios, black nuts, macadamia nuts and nutmegs.
In medicine
In the treatment, the product is one of the most powerful stimulants that affect the heart, vascular and nervous systems, so it is used in the treatment of such pathologies:
- low activity of the heart and blood vessels - guarana increases the tone of blood vessels, contributes to and stimulates the work of the heart muscles, increases heartbeat;
- thrombosis - helps dissolve platelets and the formation of thromboxane in the blood;
- elevated cholesterol - lipoproteins, which are contained in the product, help to fight bad cholesterol in the blood, and also remove it from the body and clean the blood system;
- components and beneficial substances of guarana stimulate blood circulation in the brain;
- the plant is used in neurology and neuroprotection, as it contains small amounts of the roto-neurotoxin;
- cognitive functions are improved due to the high content of caffeine, which systematically enters the body. Therefore, these drugs can be used to improve concentration when studying;
- the product has a sedative effect and helps to relax;
- promotes fat burning and is used as a stimulator of new cell production.
In sports nutrition
In the sport of guarana is considered one of the main active additives: it gives a charge of vitality and replenishes the store of energy in the body. At the same time, the effect can be noticed only by constantly taking an additive, since guarana has no bright single effect.
Seeds help increase endurance, rapid exchange and absorption of nutrients.
Important! Guarana in sports nutrition can be used in dry form as a powder, as well as in liquid form or as tablets. Most often it is used by men to gain muscle mass and drying, but before you begin to take it, you need to consult with a specialist. - only he will be able to correctly calculate the portions of the additive for drying. It should be remembered that the instantaneous effect can not be obtained, since it acts gradually.Best guarana affects the body during long and heavy loads, for example, long-distance races. In this case, the athletes take the additive immediately before the start of the competition, about half an hour. The general norm of the product intake for both men and women should not be more than 2 g per day. It is forbidden to take a dose higher than indicated and more often than once a day.
Video: the use of guarana in sports nutrition. Doping.
Reviews
Slimming
Do not wait for an instant effect if the supplement is taken for weight loss.. Supplements contributes to the gradual and natural elimination of toxins, cholesterol and other harmful substances. At the same time, physical activity and sports are considered to be a must, which will help the body to burn excess fats and calories.
The effect of the additive is something like caffeine, it stimulates and activates human strength, increases efficiency. At the same time, the guarana contains useful alkaloids that are not in coffee, so the effect occurs much faster and more noticeable. Plus, the plant's effect is quite mild, but at the same time much longer than caffeine.
Important! Very often you can meet the so-called "liquid chestnut" - popular weight loss remedy. But no matter how amazing the sellers promise, it’s still the same guarana powder, which is simply sold much more expensive. Therefore, be careful when buying.
The dosage depends directly on the weight. If it is less than 50 kg, then it is not recommended to exceed the threshold of 0.5 g, and if it is more, then they take from 1 to 2 g. In this case, it is also important to take into account the training time: in the evening, the dose of the drug should be two times less, this will help to get the desired effect of replenishment of forces, but it does not suffer from insomnia all night.
Video: how to apply guarana or liquid chestnut for weight loss.
Ways to use guarana
There are several types in which you can take this plant. The most popular are powder and extract. There are also recipes for making various drinks and teas from seeds.
Guarana Extract
Plant extract can be purchased in the form of tablets, capsules or in pure form. Capsules for the purpose of losing weight and burning excess fat should be taken 2-4 pieces per day, the total daily dose should not exceed 2 g of the product. They need to drink plenty of water and preferably consumed directly during the meal.
Guarana capsules and tablets are also used in the treatment of asthenia and chronic fatigue. Accept them from 3 to 6 pieces, which contain no more than 400 mg of the extract. The course lasts 2 weeks.
You can use and pure extract on alcohol, while the dosage should not exceed 10 drops, which is diluted with water and drink. Take 3-4 times a day, be sure to check with the instructions or prescriptions of the doctor.
You can buy pills or extract in specialized stores and pharmacies; it is not recommended to prepare them yourself.
Guarana Drink
This drink helps to stimulate the body and improve its tone. You need to cool it to + 5-8 ° C and drink 200 ml per day. If you suffer from intestinal disorders and small diarrheas, you can make this drink: 2 teaspoons of dry extract are poured with boiling water (about 150 g) and infused for 10-15 minutes. After that, the drink is ready to drink. 
Guarana tea
Tea has a great tonic and invigorating effect. It can be drunk with depression, insomnia and fatigue. Prepare it according to this recipe: water (0.5 l) is brought to a boil, then cooled to + 85 ° C. After 2 tablespoons of the extract in a dry form, pour into the teapot and pour this water, then insist a few minutes - and the flavored drink is ready.
Important! During the preparation of a hot drink, you need to pour the dry extract with just a little chilled water. - So delicious and unique flavor will remain. It is best to warm the teapot before this and wipe it off with a dry towel.
Vitamins with Guarana
Today you can find not only drinks and supplements with guarana. There is even a delicious candy in which it is added. Often on the shelves of pharmacies can also come across vitamin complexes with the addition of plant extract. These vitamins have all the properties of a plant, so that they can be replaced with an extract or tablets. 
Harm and contraindications
Only those who have an individual intolerance or an allergy can harm the product. It should also be remembered that the long-term use of the additive adversely affects the work of the nervous and vascular systems. At the same time, symptoms such as insomnia, changes in heart rate, high blood pressure appear. Guarana also stimulates urination.
Nuts - an important component of any proper and healthy diet. Find out what are useful: walnuts for men and women, Brazil nuts, Manchurian nuts, pine nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, almonds, peanuts, pistachios, black nuts, macadamia nuts and nutmegs.
Contraindications to use is a stroke or heart attack.
Guarana side effect
The main side effect is addictive. It should also be remembered that an overdose of the drug can cause poisoning, nausea, vomiting, spasms, convulsions and change the heart rhythm.
Such a useful supplement as guarana is gaining more and more fans. Today, it is actively used not only by athletes as a stimulating supplement, but also by people who want to quickly lose weight, as well as students during their studies or intensive training. It is able to increase concentration, tones and stimulates the brain. But it should be remembered that the supplement should be taken with caution, since it can adversely affect the body.
