What is guarana
Guarana is an evergreen vine that climbs trees.
It is capable of climbing up to 10 m. In the wild, guarana grows in South America. It bears fruits the size of hazelnuts or even coffee beans. It is not the pulp of the fruit that is most highly valued, but its seeds. They contain up to 6% caffeine, which is 2-3 times higher than coffee. For this reason, guarana extract and seed powder are used as a stimulant.
Composition and calorie content of the extract
The extract contains the following substances:
- theobromine;
- guaranine;
- magnesium;
- zinc;
- manganese;
- sodium;
- essential oils;
- theophylline;
- xanthine alkaloids;
- amides;
- tanning compounds;
- tocopherol;
- retinol;
- B vitamins;
- caffeine.
Guarana contains many beneficial substances.
The product has a beneficial effect on human health. It improves hormonal balance. For men, this helps get rid of sexual dysfunction and related psychological problems, and accelerate muscle growth. Women's menstrual cycle improves and their chances of conception increase. The extract has a beneficial effect on the skin, vision and heart muscle.
The nutritional value of the drug varies depending on the manufacturer. On average, 100 g of the product contains 26 kcal.
Most of it comes from water. Carbohydrates occupy 6.5% of the composition, proteins - 0.1%. There are no fats in the extract.
Who is guarana suitable for weight loss?
Guarana is suitable:
- Athletes. The product increases endurance and helps increase energy potential. It becomes easier to withstand long-term workouts, and their effectiveness increases. An additional effect of the drug is psychological. Thanks to it, the desire to skip a workout is less likely, and a person approaches classes more responsibly.
- People with reduced mental tone. Guarana will help them improve their performance, energize them, and lift them out of depression. It will become easier to follow the rules of your diet and stick to a healthy diet. The likelihood of a breakdown will be reduced.
- For those who find it difficult to lose weight. Too slow weight loss or complete lack of progress while following the rules indicates metabolic disorders. It occurs as a result of too strict restrictions, frequent stress or lack of physical activity. Due to metabolic disorders, the body begins to store calories instead of spending them. Guarana speeds up metabolism and stimulates the breakdown of fats.
Guarana increases endurance.
Properties beneficial for weight loss
Guarana has the following beneficial properties:
- Provides a surge of strength and energy, increases endurance. This is especially useful for athletes and people involved in physical labor. The supplement is also suitable for beginners: it will become easier for them to maintain the pace of training and muscle growth will accelerate.
- Delays the onset of fatigue. A person does not have time to get tired at work, so even after work he maintains a high level of activity. The craving for passive entertainment is reduced: watching videos, computer games, etc. It is possible to establish a daily routine, because during the day a person remains alert, and by night the desire to sleep appears.
- Increases performance. The drug helps to concentrate and maintain attention. It activates mental activity. Thanks to this, productivity in all areas of life increases, a person’s psychological state is normalized, and he gets rid of stress and complexes.
- Improves mood. This allows you to maintain motivation and prevents you from leaving your chosen path. The plant helps people with emotional overeating lose weight. They stop considering food as the most accessible source of pleasure, because their stress level decreases and the need for constant “feeding” disappears.
- Stimulates metabolism. The plant causes the body to burn more calories. There will be a small effect even with a passive lifestyle, but you will be able to get a pronounced result only with training. During exercise, the body will be more willing to spend energy from fat reserves.
Harm and contraindications
Guarana is milder than caffeine.
It is absorbed by the body slowly and evenly, so there is no peak concentration, which reduces the risk of side effects. However, with an overdose, headaches, tremors in the hands, tachycardia, insomnia, increased levels of anxiety and sudden changes in blood pressure occur. Taking the drug is prohibited for pregnant and lactating women. The drug should not be taken for stomach ulcers, diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. You should refrain from using the drug for chronic headaches.
Guarana should not be used for arrhythmia, arterial hypertension and acid reflux.
Beneficial features
The beneficial properties of guarana were widely used by Indians in everyday life. With its help, they suppressed the feeling of hunger, treated infections, fever, and got rid of fatigue, migraines, and joint pain. Today gurana is used:
- for the treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome;
- to increase endurance during long-term physical and mental work;
- in a set of measures to combat excess weight;
- to support cardiac function;
- to reduce cholesterol levels, cleanse blood vessels;
- for myalgia and joint pain;
- to improve bowel function;
- for the treatment of hangover syndrome.
The supplement is rich in antioxidants that bind free radicals, block cell destruction, and prevent aging of the body during periods of intense stress. Guarana is an excellent remedy for those who need to be at the peak of their activity.
Rules for the use of extract-containing products
The general daily dosage of guarana is 200-800 mg. If you take more, side effects will occur. Low doses do not produce results. For those who do not play sports, it is better to limit yourself to 200-500 mg. It is advisable to ask a nutritionist how much and how to take guarana. Additionally, he will help you choose a diet.
The maximum dosage of guarana is 800 mg.
Extract-containing products are consumed in the first half of the day. The plant contains caffeine, which has an invigorating effect. Taking medications after 5 p.m. can cause sleep problems.
Athletes need to take the drug twice: first in the morning or during breakfast, then 15-30 minutes before training. Those losing weight consume guarana 1-2 times a day. This should be done half an hour before main meals to reduce appetite.
Contraindications and side effects
Caffeine mobilizes the body's potential capabilities - but does not increase them. For those who do not have energy reserves or need them to solve vital problems in the body itself, taking guarana is dangerous. Contraindications:
- age under 18 and after 50 years;
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- heart problems: hypertension, arrhythmia, atherosclerosis;
- mental disorder;
- insomnia;
- diabetes.
In case of intolerance to the components of guarana, side effects appear at increased dosages:
- insomnia:
- high blood pressure;
- tachycardia;
- overexcitement.
- With long-term use, guarana causes tolerance - the body will stop actively responding to the action of its components. In such cases, they look for another energy drink.
It is important to remember that guarana is a caffeine-rich drug. Using other caffeine-containing additives at the same time can “distort” the nervous system, leading to epilepsy. You cannot combine it with alcohol.
But small doses of this natural energy drink will support students during the session and help them concentrate on completing a serious project - it enlightens the brain and strengthens memory. Nature generously endowed Indian tonic with substances beneficial to humans. You just need to learn how to use them wisely. Guarana is a smart choice for people who mobilize themselves to reach new heights.
How to take guarana for weight loss
The method of administration and features depend on the form of release of the product. For weight loss, powder and liquid extract are the most preferred.
dietary supplements
Dietary supplements vary greatly in dosage, composition and effect.
For this reason, when choosing a dosage regimen and course duration, you must follow the instructions. Among the most popular additives are the following:
- Series "Turboslim". It is produced in the form of tablets. The preparations contain not only guarana, but also other plant substances. They have a diuretic effect, help reduce waist size by removing excess fluid, and improve overall well-being. Laxative components cleanse the body of waste and toxins. Other energetic components enhance the effects of guarana.
- Dietary supplement "Lida". Designed for a short course. The composition contains guarana, other ingredients of plant origin and a vitamin complex. The supplement has diuretic and laxative properties. The manufacturer claims that when taking dietary supplements, it is possible to lose up to 10 kg per month.
- The drug "Guaran-Active". The product contains only 3 ingredients: cola, Chinese lemongrass and guarana. The drug has a positive effect on metabolism, helps remove excess water from cells and tissues, and cleanses the body of toxins. Thanks to the complex effect, a person begins to spend more calories, and the process of losing weight accelerates.
- Herbalife product. Contains lemon, green tea, coffee bean extract and guarana. It is a powerful stimulant. It is recommended to be taken only by those who play sports.
Dietary supplements differ in their action and composition.
Special tablets
Guarana is available in tablet form. Most of these drugs belong to the budget category, because they take longer to absorb: on average, the drug begins to act in 30-60 minutes.
To speed up the onset of the effect, take the tablet on an empty stomach or 1.5-2 hours after eating.
The most popular drugs are the following:
- Guarana from Evalara. Seed powder is the main active ingredient. The advantages of the product include low cost. The drug is produced in Russia, so sellers do not have to charge a large markup for transportation.
- Guarana from Olimp Labs. The product is an energy drink. It reduces appetite, helps concentrate, increases performance and endurance. The drug can be taken not only in the morning or afternoon, but also in the evening if a person plans to work at night.
- Natural Balance Powermax. The product not only provides a burst of energy, but also helps control portion sizes. This prevents overeating and reduces your total daily calorie intake.
- Now Foods. The drug is additionally enriched with tocopherols. It improves the condition of the skin and prevents the appearance of stretch marks during sudden weight loss.
Liquid extract
The liquid extract is absorbed by the body within 15-20 minutes. The product is convenient to take because it does not need to be washed down. It can be mixed with other supplements, such as L-carnitine.
The liquid extract is quickly absorbed by the body.
Most often, athletes and those wishing to lose weight use the following drugs:
- Power System. Improves brain activity and muscle function. Helps a person cope with a large volume of tasks in the same time. Relieves fatigue and anxiety.
- "Narin." The effect of guarana is complemented by coffee extract. The drug is a powerful stimulant. It is used for memory loss and difficulty concentrating. The product accelerates calorie expenditure even at rest.
- Multipower Guarana Shot. It is an energy drink made from natural ingredients: guarana and coffee. The action is similar to “Narin”.
- Nature's Answer. Contains only guarana extract, therefore it is the most economical to use.
Tea with guarana
Guarana tea is more of an auxiliary remedy. The concentration of active substances in it is lower, but it has a gentler effect on the body. Powders from the brands Advanced Food and Wirud are popular.
Action
Guarana is a multifunctional supplement: it tones, improves heart and brain function, promotes fat burning and reduces appetite.
- Tones up 5 times more than caffeine, the invigorating effect lasts 5-6 hours. At the same time, guarana does not deplete the nervous system, does not adversely affect the heart, and does not provoke insomnia.
- Increases endurance, as it promotes the release of adrenaline into the blood. Under the influence of this hormone, recovery processes are accelerated, and muscle failure is delayed in time.
- Accelerates weight loss: reduces appetite, promotes intense muscle work, which breaks down fatty tissue and turns it into energy for the working body. Guarana is indispensable for low-calorie diets - it mobilizes energy potential to overcome increased stress.
- It has a beneficial effect on the central nervous system: it ensures quick reactions and concentration.
Guarana is a natural energy drink; it is more effective than coffee and store-bought tonics, which are saturated with glucose, synthetic dyes and preservatives.
What to eat while taking guarana
When taking guarana, you must switch to dietary nutrition. You should review your diet and remove all harmful high-calorie foods from it.
It is advisable to keep a food diary to monitor your results and adjust the menu in time.
Diet
You should eat 5-6 times a day. The number of main meals is 3. Most of the calories should be consumed in the morning, because the body does not need them at night. It is advisable to eat sources of carbohydrates during breakfast. During the day, porridge and vegetables are combined with meat. For dinner, preference is given to protein products.
Authorized Products
The diet should include meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, dairy and fermented milk products. Cereals, preferably whole grains, are suitable sources of carbohydrates.
The diet should contain fish and meat.
You can eat mushrooms and chicken eggs in small quantities. The latter will additionally help reduce the daily calorie intake by ensuring long-term saturation.
You can make juices and compotes from fruits and vegetables, but you will have to avoid adding sugar. Desserts are replaced with honey, dried fruits and nuts, but in limited quantities.
Prohibited Products
The list of prohibited foods includes all foods that contain a lot of calories and few nutrients. For example, sweet carbonated drinks, fast food, milk and white chocolate. It is recommended to avoid store-bought sauces. It is advisable to avoid consuming spices that whet your appetite. Coriander, peppermint, black pepper, fennel and cinnamon have a similar effect.
Physical activity during the period of admission
When taking the drug, be sure to include training in your daily routine or increase the level of physical activity.
Classes are carried out 2-3 times a week so that the muscles have time to rest and recover. Loads must be feasible and safe. A person with good physical fitness can choose cycling or running. However, for weights above 100 kg, it is recommended to first consult a specialist and give preference to walking and swimming. Otherwise, there is a risk of joint damage and deterioration of the cardiovascular system.
