From Antioxidants To Energy, Guarana Delivers Benefits For Body & Mind*

If your routine could use a pick-me-up, it may be time to consider guarana. This berry can keep you on your A game, thanks to its energizing effects on the body and mind.* (So much so that it's a main ingredient in focus+, mbg's plant-powered nootropic supplement.)

After all, when you've got things to do and places to be, it can be tempting to reach for an extra cup of coffee (or two) to feel awake. But this approach will only take you so far, especially if you're also craving sustainable mental clarity and precision.*

In mbg's focus+, guarana works synergistically with other ingredients to provide throughout-the-day energy benefits beyond the typical "boost."* What's more, the ingredient delivers whole-body health properties by supporting multiple areas of wellness, including the skin and cardiovascular system.*

Guarana is a small, round berry that's native to Brazil, according to Uma Naidoo, M.D., nutritional psychiatrist and author of This Is Your Brain on Food. For thousands of years, it's been used by Indigenous communities in the Amazon1 for its naturally stimulating effects.*

The seed, however, is the real star of the show. According to a 2021 scientific review in the Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, the seeds are separated from the skin and pulp—then fermented, roasted, and ground into a powder.

Traditionally, this powder is consumed in tea or mixed into beverages, says Naidoo. "But in the modern market, it's largely available in energy [drinks] and soft drinks," she adds.

Guarana is also found as an extract in some nootropic supplements2, like capsules and tablets. You'll want to look for the botanical genus and species Paullinia cupana on the label, along with the plant part (i.e., seed extract).

If guarana had a claim to fame, this would be it. As Naidoo notes, "Guarana [promotes] energy due to its caffeine content, which is stimulating for both the body and mind."* In fact, guarana contains four times more caffeine3 than coffee beans, explains Maddie Pasquariello, M.S., RDN, registered dietitian and founder of Nutrition with Maddie. As you can imagine, this can be a lifesaver when you need to shake off physical and mental tiredness.*

According to Pasquariello, the caffeine in guarana nurtures cognitive function and performance, including important processes like memory, learning, processing, and attention.* 

Case in point: According to a 2019 scientific review in the journal Global Psychiatry, caffeine is considered to be a nootropic—i.e., a compound that promotes cognitive function.* It works by various mechanisms including increasing blood flow to the brain, which is essential for overall brain health and performance.* 

The same 2019 review found that guarana improved reaction time and accuracy of task performance in young, healthy adults, further bolstering this botanical's cognitive benefits.*

As a source of caffeine, guarana may also help promote digestive function, notes Doebrich.* That's because caffeine contributes to bowel contractions5, effectively moving food through your digestive system and promoting regularity.* 

Over time, free radicals and oxidative stress can reduce skin elasticity and speed up signs of skin aging7, such as fine lines. However, consuming plenty of antioxidants can help protect skin tissue against these effects, especially as we get older. As sources of antioxidants, guarana tea and supplements can aid your skin by supporting your body's natural antioxidant defenses.*

Guarana, like other sources of caffeine (e.g., coffee and tea), is recognized to be a safe plant2 with a long history of use. Although complications and complaints are rare, side effects are possible in some cases.

For example, guarana can affect blood pressure, so it may have a negative impact if you're sensitive to caffeine or have blood pressure concerns. Additionally, ingesting too much of the ingredient can cause jitters and contribute to caffeine crashes, while taking it too late in the day can mess with your beauty sleep.

As Naidoo notes, we all react to caffeine differently, largely due to the uniqueness of our liver metabolism genetics, as well as our individualized gut microbiomes. That said, it's important to pay attention to how you react to caffeine-containing ingredients—guarana or otherwise—and use that information to personalize the quantity and timing of your intake.

Guarana, like coffee, is a multidimensional plant with thousands of years of historical use behind it. Guarana contains both caffeine and other antioxidants, which support multiple areas of well-being—including the brain, skin, gut, and eyes.* Plus, the native caffeine content of guarana can elevate your energy levels and naturally perk you up.*