Guaraná for Sports & Fitness
What do the advocates say?*
Guaraná contains a substance similar to caffeine, which could be responsible for
caffeine-like effects such as improving endurance performance. However, no research has
directly tested guaraná in athletes.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
As with any caffeinated product, guaraná may cause
insomnia, trembling, anxiety, palpitations, and
urinary frequency.1 Guaraná should be avoided during pregnancy and breast-feeding.
Are there any drug
interactions?
Certain medicines may interact with guaraná. Refer to drug interactions for a list of those medicines.
*Athletes and fitness advocates may claim benefits for guaraná
based on their personal or professional experience. These are individual opinions and
testimonials that may or may not be supported by controlled clinical studies or published
scientific articles on guaraná. For more complete and detailed information, including
references and safety information, see Guaraná as an herbal
remedy.
References
1. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, et al. (eds). PDR for Herbal
Medicines. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics, 1998, 1017–8.