N
The Daily Insight

Why is Guarana bad for you

Author

Isabella Browning

Updated on April 10, 2026

At typical doses, the caffeine in guarana can cause insomnia, nervousness and restlessness, stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate and blood pressure, rapid breathing, tremors, delirium, diuresis, and other side effects.

Is guarana safe to take everyday?

Small amounts are probably not harmful. However, taking guarana in high doses by mouth is possibly unsafe. Consuming more than 300 mg of caffeine daily has been linked to an increased risk of miscarriage and other negative effects.

Does guarana have side effects?

Side effects. The side effects of guarana are generally the same as the side effects of caffeine. They include sleep problems, anxiety, restlessness, upset stomach, and quickened heartbeat. Long-term use of caffeine may result in tolerance and psychological dependence.

How does guarana affect the body?

Guarana is commonly touted for its ability to reduce fatigue, boost energy and aid learning and memory. It has also been linked to better heart health, weight loss, pain relief, healthier skin, lower cancer risk and a decreased risk of age-related eye diseases.

How is guarana different from caffeine?

Guarana is a climbing plant native to the Amazon whose seeds contain approximately four times the amount of caffeine found in coffee beans. The mix of other natural chemicals contained in guarana seeds is thought to heighten the stimulant effects of guarana over caffeine alone.

Who owns Guarana Antarctica?

Brazilian soft drinks brand Guarana Antarctica has renewed its partnership with the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) for eight more years. Guarana Antarctican is the country’s best-selling non-cola category drink. It is owned by the AmBev drinks group, a subsidiary of Anheuser-Busch InBev.

Does Red Bull contain guarana?

Bombastically named energy drinks such as Full Throttle, Monster, Red Bull and Rockstar all contain the herbal supplement guarana. … As a supplement, guarana is considered “generally recognized as safe” by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Can children eat guarana?

They recommend that children should be discouraged from consuming caffeine. They also highlight that the most common way children would be exposed to caffeine is in soft drinks, which have around 24mg of caffeine per serving. Energy drinks often include the plant extract guarana.

Can you OD on guarana?

This report presents two cases of guarana overdose with the common caffeine poisoning symp- toms and signs. Guarana in therapeutic doses can exacerbate underlying cardiac disease (espe- cially cardiac arrhythmias, coronary heart disease, heart failure) and diabetes.

How much guarana is in Red Bull?

Guarana in a 16-ounce energy drink ranges from 1.4 mg to as much as 300 mg.

Article first time published on

Where does guarana come from?

Guaraná (Paullinia cupana H.B.K., Sapindaceae) is a rainforest vine that was domesticated in the Amazon for its caffeine-rich fruits. Guaraná has long been used as a tonic and to treat various disorders in Brazil and abroad and became a national soda in Brazil about a century ago.

What's taurine do?

Taurine has important functions in the heart and brain. It helps support nerve growth. It might also benefit people with heart failure by lowering blood pressure and calming the nervous system. This might help prevent heart failure from becoming worse.

What is taurine and guarana?

Major Components of Energy Drinks (Caffeine, Taurine, and Guarana) Exert Cytotoxic Effects on Human Neuronal SH-SY5Y Cells by Decreasing Reactive Oxygen Species Production.

Which is better guarana or caffeine?

coffee is that guarana is a more potent source of caffeine. Since caffeine tolerance may result in users needing more caffeine to experience the stimulating effects, guarana offers a higher concentration of caffeine than coffee. This means frequent coffee drinkers can become resilient to coffee’s effects.

How much guarana is equal to a cup of coffee?

In general, guarana has the same kind of effects as coffee on the body, and these are typically dose-dependent. According to NYU Langone Medical Center, a typical dose of guarana supplies somewhere in the neighborhood of 50 milligrams of caffeine. A cup of coffee contains approximately twice this amount.

Can guarana replace coffee?

It’s important to note that even supplements marketed as totally natural can have some pretty strong reactions. Guarana can indeed have basically the same effect as drinking coffee, then, but magnified because the caffeine content is more condensed.

Why is guarana banned by the NCAA?

Xyience drinks contain caffeine and guarana, which the NCAA lists as banned stimulants at high doses. The drinks also contain ginseng, L-carnitine and taurine — substances that are considered impermissible by the NCAA, meaning that schools are not allowed to provide them to athletes.

Is guarana banned by the NCAA?

In 2003, the NCAA instituted a list of banned-drug classes, including stimulants, anabolic agents and street drugs that are prohibited for use by NCAA athletes. Two common ingredients in energy drinks, taurine and guarana, were banned. Caffeine is considered a restricted substance and not a banned substance.

What's in a Monster Energy Drink?

The active ingredients in “Monster” energy drink are caffeine, taurine, ginseng, guarana, and B -Vitamins. Each 8 oz. serving contains: … 2500 mg of the Monster Energy Blend (L-Carnitine, glucose, caffeine, guarana, insoitol, glucuronolactone, and maltodextrin)

What flavor is Guarana Antarctica?

The taste is mild and slightly apple-like, with a berry after-flavour.

Does Coca Cola own guarana?

Today there are several brands of guarana soda available throughout Brazil. … In 2001, Coca-Cola bought this brand.

What is in guarana drink?

Guarana is an energy drink produced by Knjaz Miloš a.d., a producer based in Aranđelovac, Serbia. The drink is popular within Serbia, and is made from extracts of the guarana plant, which contains caffeine (sometimes called “guaranine”), theophylline, and theobromine.

How much guarana is too much?

Guarana is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken my mouth in medicinal amounts for a short time. Guarana is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taking by mouth in high doses for a long time. Doses greater than 250-300 mg daily have been linked to side effects.

Is guarana a diuretic?

Guaraná contains substances similar to caffeine that could be responsible for caffeine-like responses in the body, including central nervous system stimulation, increased metabolic rate, and a mild diuretic effect.

What percentage of alcohol is in guarana?

Product Namesmirnoff guaranaCountry of originKenyaAlcohol content5.5%BrandGuaranaTypebeers

What are the side effects of yerba mate?

Yerba mate contains caffeine, which can cause side effects such as inability to sleep (insomnia), nervousness and restlessness, upset stomach, nausea and vomiting, increased heart rate and breathing, and other side effects. Yerba mate is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken in large amounts or for long periods of time.

What is guarana alcohol?

Guarana is used by Brazilian Indians in a stimulating beverage used like tea or coffee. It sometimes is mixed with alcohol to prepare a more intoxicating beverage. The stems, leaves, and roots of guarana are used as a fish-killing drug in Central and South America.

Is Monster Hydro bad for you?

Although there are low- and zero-sugar Monster Energy products on the market, most Monster drinks have very high sugar content. … The occasional Monster Energy drink product may not be bad for you, but regular consumption of Monster drinks can be bad for your health and increase your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

What fruit is used in guarana?

GuaranáSpecies:P. cupanaBinomial namePaullinia cupana Kunth

Are Celsius bad for you?

CELSIUS is the ideal drink for anyone who wants to get the most out of their day and live fit. Backed by several clinical trials, drinking CELSIUS prior to fitness activities is proven to accelerate metabolism, burn body fat and provide essential energy.

Is taurine bad for kidneys?

Taurine has been shown to play a role in four different forms of kidney disease: glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, chronic renal failure, and acute kidney injury (AKI).