What is Guarana?
Guarana is a winding liana growing in the Amazonian forests of Paraguay and Brazil. The Indians used its fruits to suppress appetite and as a stimulant, as well as for the treatment of diseases such as malaria and dysentery (for this purpose it is used until now, but there is no scientific evidence of the effectiveness of this method of treatment). Today, guarana is cultivated in some states of Brazil and is used as a stimulant around the world.
The plant contains guaranine, an analog of caffeine, but 4-7 times stronger. It also contains tannins, vitamins A, E B1, B3, PP, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, some microelements such as selenium and strontium, and amino acids.
Using the "Liquid Chestnut"
In general, the drug is used by those who want to lose weight. But, of course, if you can not fall asleep without a couple of kilos of shish kebab or a few cakes, then no food supplement is able to cope with the consequences of their use.
As a stimulant, it improves athletic performance and reduces mental and physical fatigue. It can also be used to treat low blood pressure, chronic fatigue syndrome, and also to prevent malaria and dysentery. "Liquid chestnut" is sometimes used as a means to increase sexual desire. It is also used to treat persistent diarrhea, fever, heart problems, headache, joint pain, back and heat stroke.
How does the drug work?
Guaranine, theophylline, theobromine, contained in the preparation, stimulate the work of the central nervous system, heart and muscles. Like caffeine, guaranin stimulates the work of the adrenal glands, which intensively begin to inject adrenaline, norepinephrine and dopamine into the blood, which expand the possibilities of thermogenesis. The body begins to process free fatty acids and use them to produce energy (ie, fat loss occurs).
What does science say?
As it became known "Hot off the press", Dr. Torben Andersen conducted a study in the Medical Center Charlottenlund in Denmark. He worked with 44 healthy patients who are overweight. These patients took an herbal preparation that included guarana, mate and damiana.
The results of the study by Dr. Andersen were very positive: those who took the herbal infusion, during the 45 days lost an average of about 11 kg. The difference was significant compared with the placebo group, whose participants lost an average of only 0.45 kg. It should also be noted that a mixture of these herbs slows down the emptying of the stomach for 20 minutes, which contributes to a longer feeling of satiety after eating.
In a new study presented at an experimental meeting of biologists this year, scientists gave one group of CLK mice (conjugated linoleic acid), and another - CLC plus guarana. It was noted that although the group taking the CLC drastically reduced the number of adipocytes (fat cells), in the group that took CLC plus guarana, the reduction in the number of fat cells reached 50% - in just six weeks.
How to take the "Liquid Chestnut"
The drug can be taken with juices, tea, water and yogurt, with any food. Half a teaspoon of powder is enough twice a day. This is due to the high concentration of active ingredients in the fruit of guarana. A single dose of the drug is comparable to one grain of the plant. If you plan to increase the dose, be sure to consult your doctor to avoid possible problems.
It is best to use the "Liquid Chestnut" in the morning or at noon, this is due to its stimulating effect. Nevertheless, it can be taken at night, if you are on the road - guarana significantly raises vigilance, true in the short term.
Note!
Taking the drug at recommended doses is absolutely safe and does not cause any side effects. However, it can be unsafe or even fatal, when taken in large quantities. The lethal dose of guarnine, according to scientists, is 150-200 mg per kilogram. A "typical" person weighs about 70 kilograms, so a lethal dose of guarnine for him will be 10,500-14,000 mg. This is a fairly high dose: one dose of "Liquid Chestnut" contains 200 mg of guarnigine. However, severe poisoning can also occur at lower doses: it all depends on sensitivity, individual tolerance of the organism, age and previous use of guarana.
Side effects
The side effects of guarana are the same as after caffeine. These can be problems with sleep, anxiety, upset stomach and accelerated heartbeat.
Consult your doctor before using "Liquid Chestnut" if you have high blood pressure, anxiety, glaucoma, osteoporosis, heart problems, bleeding disorders, diabetes, kidney problems, or liver disease.
Interaction with other drugs
If you take any medications regularly, you should always consult with your doctor before taking the drug, because it can interact with certain antidepressants, preparations containing lithium, sedatives and drugs for dilution of blood. Do not use "Liquid Chestnut" together with any stimulants: drugs, additives or alcohol. To avoid excessive consumption of caffeine, be careful when taking the drug along with other foods, such as coffee and carbonated drinks. It is also not recommended for children, pregnant or lactating mothers.
Be sure to follow the appropriate directions on the product label and seek help if any of the above symptoms occur.