Research
Guarana (Paullinia cupana)
24 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.
Studies
Sorted by quality and recency
Natural supplementation to effectively treat cancer-induced fatigue: evidence of a meta-analysis on the use of guaraná.
Meta-analysis of 5 studies with 229 patients from 2009 to 2023 examining the effects of guaraná on cancer-related fatigue. The analysis found a significant benefit of guaraná in alleviating fatigue, though high heterogeneity was noted. Further large-scale RCTs are recommended.
Effect of Guarana () on Cognitive Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of eight placebo-controlled studies on the acute effects of guarana on cognitive performance in 328 participants. Guarana showed a small effect on faster response time during cognitive tasks without affecting accuracy. The effects were not related to guarana dose or time prior to testing.
The use of guarana (Paullinia cupana) as a dietary supplement for fatigue in cancer patients: a systematic review with a meta-analysis.
Systematic review and meta-analysis assessed the use of guarana as a dietary supplement for managing fatigue in cancer patients. Seven studies with a total of 427 patients were included. The meta-analysis found that guarana did not reduce cancer-related fatigue compared to placebo, with very low quality of evidence.
Effects of the active botanical blend "WKUP GT" on attention and cognitive functions after lunch in healthy volunteers.
Pilot randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 'WKUP GT', a low caffeine beverage with carob, guarana, green tea, and elderberry extracts, on attention and cognitive functions post-lunch in 30 healthy volunteers. 'WKUP GT' improved rapid visual information processing, multitasking, and memory compared to placebo without increasing systolic blood pressure.
Effects of Acute Ingestion of Guarana () on Soccer Player Performance: A Randomized, Cross-over, Placebo-Controlled Study.
RCT investigating the acute effects of guarana ingestion on soccer player performance. Guarana improved the capacity to perform intermittent exercise but did not enhance lower limb power, sprint, or agility.
Effects of Acute Guarana () Ingestion on Mental Performance and Vagal Modulation Compared to a Low Dose of Caffeine.
Double-blind, crossover RCT with 20 participants comparing the acute effects of guarana (GUA) and low dose caffeine (CAF) on cognitive and mood parameters. Neither GUA nor CAF influenced cognitive performance or provided consistent benefits on mood or mental workload through vagal modulation.
Guarana (Paullinia cupana) but Not Low-Dose Caffeine Improves Cycling Time-Trial Performance Versus Placebo.
This double-blind, crossover RCT assessed the effects of guarana (GUA) versus caffeine (CAF) and placebo on cycling performance in 11 endurance-trained individuals. Guarana improved work performance relative to placebo during a 15-minute time trial, with effects attributed to reduced perceived exertion. The study suggests potential ergogenic benefits of guarana beyond its caffeine content.
Cognitive effects of guarana supplementation with maximal intensity cycling.
Randomized double-blind crossover trial with 25 participants comparing guarana, caffeine, and placebo on cognitive performance before and after maximal intensity cycling. Guarana supplementation improved choice reaction time and alertness scores compared to placebo, but not caffeine. Guarana also improved intra-individual variability on choice reaction time after exercise.
Heart rate variability and cognitive function following a multi-vitamin and mineral supplementation with added guarana (Paullinia cupana).
RCT with 56 subjects assessing cognitive performance and heart rate variability following ingestion of a multi-vitamin-mineral preparation with 300 mg guarana, caffeine, or placebo. Faster responses in the go/no-go task were observed with guarana, and HRV remained stable, suggesting improved decision-making and stable autonomic regulation.
Acute effects of a herb extract formulation and inulin fibre on appetite, energy intake and food choice.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over RCT in 58 women studying the effects of a herb extract formulation (Yerbe Maté, Guarana, Damiana) and inulin fibre on appetite and energy intake. Significant reductions in food and energy intake were observed with both substances, with the greatest effect seen in the combination condition.
Guarana (Paullinia cupana) improves fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing systemic chemotherapy.
RCT evaluating guarana extract on fatigue, sleep quality, anxiety, depression symptoms, and menopause in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Guarana significantly improved fatigue scores compared to placebo without worsening sleep quality or causing anxiety or depression.
Improved cognitive performance and mental fatigue following a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement with added guaraná (Paullinia cupana).
Double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled study of a vitamin/mineral/guaraná supplement in 129 healthy young adults. The supplement improved cognitive task performance and reduced mental fatigue compared to placebo.
The effect of a single dose of multivitamin and mineral combinations with and without guaraná on functional brain activity during a continuous performance task.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover study of 20 healthy adults examining the acute effects of multivitamin and mineral supplementation, with and without guaraná, on brain electrophysiological changes during a continuous performance task. The study found enhanced brain activity and improved behavioral performance with multivitamin and mineral treatment, with additional excitatory effects when guaraná was included.
The Effects of Supplementation with a Vitamin and Mineral Complex with Guaraná Prior to Fasted Exercise on Affect, Exertion, Cognitive Performance, and Substrate Metabolism: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
This placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, balanced cross-over study examined the effect of a vitamin and mineral complex with guaraná consumed prior to morning exercise on cognitive performance, affect, exertion, and substrate metabolism in 40 active males. Supplementation led to a small but significant reduction in Rating of Perceived Exertion during exercise and improved accuracy of numeric working memory and speed of picture recognition compared to placebo.
Purified dry extract of Paullinia cupana (guaraná) (PC-18) for chemotherapy-related fatigue in patients with solid tumors: an early discontinuation study.
RCT evaluating the efficacy of a purified dry extract of Paullinia cupana (PC-18) in 40 patients with solid tumors experiencing chemotherapy-related fatigue. PC-18 improved or stabilized fatigue scores in 36 patients during the induction phase, but no significant differences were observed between PC-18 and placebo groups in the maintenance phase.
Effects of a commercial product containing guaraná on psychological well-being, anxiety and mood: a single-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy subjects.
Single-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study of 27 healthy volunteers assessing the effects of guaranà on psychological well-being, anxiety, and mood. Guaranà 350 mg × 3 daily for 5 days showed no significant differences compared to placebo in psychological well-being, anxiety, or mood scales.
Acute effects of different multivitamin mineral preparations with and without Guaraná on mood, cognitive performance and functional brain activation.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised crossover study with 20 participants examining the effects of multivitamin preparations with and without guaraná on mood, cognitive performance, and brain activation. The multivitamin with guaraná treatment enhanced cognitive performance and mood, with increased brain activation observed in fMRI.
Effectiveness of guaraná (Paullinia cupana) for postradiation fatigue and depression: results of a pilot double-blind randomized study.
Double-blind randomized crossover trial with 36 breast cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy, comparing guaraná 75 mg daily to placebo. No statistically significant differences were found between guaraná and placebo for fatigue and depressive symptoms.
A double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-dose evaluation of the acute behavioural effects of guaraná in humans.
This double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluated the acute behavioural effects of guaraná extract in 26 humans. Guaraná improved secondary memory performance and increased alert and content mood ratings, with lower doses producing more positive cognitive effects than higher doses.
Improved cognitive performance in human volunteers following administration of guarana (Paullinia cupana) extract: comparison and interaction with Panax ginseng.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled study assessing cognitive and mood effects of guarana, Panax ginseng, and their combination in 28 healthy young participants. All treatments improved task performance, with guarana enhancing attention tasks and ginseng improving memory task speed. The study demonstrates psychoactive effects of guarana and confirms those of ginseng.
Weight loss and delayed gastric emptying following a South American herbal preparation in overweight patients.
RCT investigating the effects of a herbal preparation 'YGD' containing Yerba Maté, Guarana, and Damiana on gastric emptying and weight loss in overweight patients. YGD significantly delayed gastric emptying and induced significant weight loss over 45 days compared to placebo. Weight maintenance was observed over 12 months with continued YGD treatment.
The effects of long-term administration of guarana on the cognition of normal, elderly volunteers.
Double-blind RCT assessing the effects of long-term administration of guarana on cognition in 45 normal, elderly volunteers. No significant cognitive alterations were observed in the guarana group compared to placebo and caffeine groups.
Acute effects of the Paulinia cupana, "Guaraná" on the cognition of normal volunteers.
Double-blind study comparing the acute effects of Guaraná, caffeine, and placebo on cognition, anxiety, and sleep in 30 normal volunteers. Results were negative, indicating no significant effects of Guaraná on these outcomes.
Guarana (Paullinia cupana) Improves Anorexia in Patients with Advanced Cancer.
Pilot phase II, open label, nonrandomized trial evaluating guarana in advanced cancer patients with anorexia. Of 30 patients, 18 completed the protocol. Significant decrease in lack of appetite and somnolence was observed, with some patients showing weight stabilization and increased appetite.