Effective Dosage: There is currently no clinical evidence that Guarana is effective as a weight loss supplement at any dosage.
Guarana comes from the seeds of a South American shrub – most of which originates in Brazil. Traditional uses of guarana by natives of the Amazonian rain forest include crushed seeds added to foods and beverages to increase alertness and reduce fatigue. As a dietary supplement, it’s no wonder that guarana is an effective energy booster – as it contains about twice the caffeine found in coffee beans (about 3-4% caffeine in guarana seeds compared to 1-2% for coffee beans). Concentrated guarana extracts, however, can contain caffeine at levels of as much as 40-50%, with popular supplements delivering 50-200mg of caffeine per day (about the same amount found in 1-2 cups of strong coffee). As with any caffeine-containing substance, too much can lead to nervousness, tension and headaches.
As a weight loss aid, however, although caffeine in diet pills may suppress appetite somewhat at high levels, on its own it does not seem to be a very effective supplement for increasing calorie expenditure (thermogenesis). When combined with other stimulant-type supplements in diet pills, such as Ma Huang (Ephedra), however, it appears that caffeine can “extend” the duration of action of Ephedra in suppressing appetite and increasing caloric expenditure (although it may also increase the risk of adverse side effects associated with Ephedra and caffeine).
These statements about Guarana have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Guarana is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Back to Diet Pill Ingredients
