Guarana explained: what it is and what to check
Guarana (Paullinia cupana), sometimes called Brazilian cocoa, is an herbal source that naturally contains caffeine. The NIH says caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, heart and skeletal muscles. Three products we reviewed list guarana, but none prints its individual amount: each includes it in a 200 mg proprietary blend.
- What it is
- Plant
- In the products we reviewed
- 3, none prints the amount
What guarana is
- Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is an herbal source that naturally contains caffeine.1
- Guarana is sometimes called Brazilian cocoa.2
- Adding guarana raises the total caffeine content of a drink.2
- Some weight-loss supplement labels list only the herbal ingredients and do not state the amount of caffeine.1
- Caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, heart and skeletal muscles.1
- For healthy adults, the FDA says up to 400 mg of caffeine a day does not pose safety concerns.1
- An 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee has about 85 to 100 mg of caffeine.1
How much guarana each product gives
Amount not printed: the dashed line shows the most it can be, the whole blend
Before you take it
Side effects
- Combining caffeine with other stimulants, such as bitter orange, can strengthen these side effects.1
Ask a doctor first
- Caffeine can cause sleep problems and feelings of nervousness, jitteriness and shakiness.1
- The American Academy of Pediatrics discourages children and teens from consuming caffeine and other stimulants.1
- During pregnancy, caffeine intake should stay at moderate levels.4
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. A supplement is not a medicine.
The 3 products we reviewed that list guarana
| Product | Form and serving | Guarana per serving | Our score | Price a bottle | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 GlucoTonic#1 in blood sugar support | Liquid drops1 ml | Not printedIn a 200 mg proprietary blend | 9.9 | $49 | Check price |
 Sugar Defender#3 in blood sugar support | Liquid drops1 ml | Not printedIn a 200 mg proprietary blend | 9.5 | $49 | Check price |
 Glyco Harmony#5 in blood sugar support | Liquid drops1 ml | Not printedIn a 200 mg proprietary blend | 9.3 | $49 | Check price |
Questions people ask
What is guarana?
Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is an herbal source that naturally contains caffeine. It is sometimes called Brazilian cocoa. The NIH says caffeine stimulates the central nervous system, heart and skeletal muscles.
Does guarana add caffeine to a drink?
Yes, adding guarana raises a drink's total caffeine content. The NIH notes that some supplement labels list only herbal ingredients and do not state the amount of caffeine.
Is guarana safe?
For otherwise well adults, the FDA says up to 400 mg of caffeine a day does not pose safety concerns. Guarana naturally contains caffeine, which can cause sleep problems, nervousness, jitteriness and shakiness. Ask a clinician before starting a guarana supplement.
What are guarana's side effects?
Guarana's caffeine can cause sleep problems and feelings of nervousness, jitteriness and shakiness. Combining caffeine with other stimulants, such as bitter orange, can strengthen these side effects.
Which supplements we reviewed contain guarana?
GlucoTonic, Sugar Defender and Glyco Harmony list guarana. Each is a liquid supplement with a 1 ml serving and includes guarana inside a 200 mg proprietary blend. None prints the individual amount of guarana.
Also in these products
Sources
The products, amounts and prices come from each product's label and checkout, as its review shows them. AI drafts our pages from listed sources, figures are checked against them, and we have not tried the products.
- 1NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss, Fact Sheet for Health Professionalsods.od.nih.gov/factsheetschecked
- 2NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Energy Drinksnccih.nih.gov/healthchecked
- 3NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance, Fact Sheet for Health Professionalsods.od.nih.gov/factsheetschecked
- 4NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, Green Tea: Usefulness and Safetynccih.nih.gov/healthchecked