Guaraná contains caffeine and the closely related alkaloids theobromine and theophylline, nervous system stimulants that may curb appetite, increase energy expenditure, and increase weight loss.
Guaraná (
Paullinia cupana) contains
caffeine and the closely related alkaloids theobromine and
theophylline. These compounds stimulate the central nervous system and may curb appetite, increase energy expenditure, and promote weight loss. Laboratory research suggests guaraná extract may limit the negative metabolic impacts of a Western-style diet, such as weight gain, fat accumulation, insulin resistance, lipid metabolism disorders, and fat tissue dysfunction, while increasing heat production and energy expenditure. In a placebo-controlled trial, a combination of guarana (providing 240 mg per day of caffeine) and ma huang (
Ephedra sinensis, providing 72 mg per day of ephedrine, another stimulant alkaloid) led to greater reductions in body weight, body fat, and triglyceride levels; however, the drop-out rate in the supplemented group was high due to adverse side effects related to overstimulation.