Uses of Guarana Pouches
Supplement use should be individualized and vetted by a healthcare professional, such as a registered dietitian, pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
While additional research is necessary regarding effectiveness, people generally use guarana to treat various health conditions.
Research is most robust for the following:
Antioxidant effects
Brain health
Cancer
Heart health, including obesity and diabetes
Antioxidant Effects
A review article analyzed a small clinical trial in which healthy participants took 3 grams (g) of guarana Pouches daily. This short-term study’s results suggested that guarana lessened the damage from free radicals (unstable atoms made during normal cell metabolism). As a result, guarana may have some antioxidant effects.11
In general, antioxidants attack free radicals. Free radicals can damage components and systems within the body, including the hereditary material DNA.
Since this was a small and short-term study, further extensive research with more significant and longer-term clinical trials is necessary to assess guarana’s effects better.
Brain Health
A review article showed that guarana Pouches helped with memory, attention, alertness, and reaction time.
While the results were positive, some studies combined guarana Pouches with vitamins, minerals, other dietary supplements, and exercise.11
For this reason, it might be challenging to quantify guarana’s effects. Future high-quality clinical trials should study more standardized guarana products and dosages.
Cancer
Cancer and its treatments usually come with various side effects.
Several clinical trials have supported guarana Pouches in relieving some side effects that arise as a result of having cancer or cancer-targeted treatment:
Anxiety
Depression
Drowsiness and sleepiness
Fatigue (excessive tiredness)
Hot flashes
Poor appetite
Sleeping problems
Weight loss
Although promising, more clinical trials are warranted, as guarana seemed to have positive results in people with only certain types of cancer.11
Heart Health
One study in a review article observed the effects of drinking guarana at least twice weekly in older adults.
Per the results of the study, consuming guarana was associated with fewer side effects and decreased disease severity as a result of preexisting metabolic syndrome (a group of medical conditions that increases your risk of heart disease).11
While the results are promising, additional research with high-quality clinical trials is still needed to quantify further to what extent guarana lessens the effects of metabolic syndrome.
