Research

Guayusa

16 peer-reviewed studies curated from PubMed and Semantic Scholar.

0
Meta-analyses
0
Systematic reviews
1
RCTs
15
Other studies
RCTs (6%)
Observational (6%)

Studies

Sorted by quality and recency

2023·Nutrients·Michael B La Monica, Betsy Raub, Ethan J Ziegenfuss, et al

Acute Effects of Naturally Occurring Guayusa Tea and Nordic Lion's Mane Extracts on Cognitive Performance.

RCTMental Clarity Focus Mood Stress

RCT assessing the effects of guayusa extract and Nordic Lion's Mane on cognition using a crossover design. Guayusa significantly improved cognitive performance, mental clarity, focus, mood, and stress tolerance over 2 hours. Lion's Mane improved working memory, complex attention, and reaction time.

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2025·Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)·Nina Espinosa de Los Monteros-Silva, Karla Martínez-Palacios, Anggie M Jiménez, et al

Unlocking thePotential: Volatile Composition, Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, and Hemolytic Activities, with In Silico Molecular Docking and ADMET Analysis of Hydroethanolic Extracts.

StudyInflammation Nutrition

The study explores the biochemical profile of Ilex guayusa, focusing on its antioxidant and antidiabetic activities. It highlights the influence of geographical and ontogenetic factors on its phenolic and flavonoid content, demonstrating promising antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity with low toxicity.

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2024·Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)·Miguel Ángel Meneses, Jhulissa Guzmán, Jhulissa Cabrera, et al

Green Processing of: Antioxidant Concentration and Caffeine Reduction Using Encapsulation by Supercritical Antisolvent Process.

Study

The study investigated the supercritical antisolvent extraction (SAE) process to produce a low-caffeine, antioxidant-rich product from guayusa leaves. The process concentrated chlorogenic acid while reducing caffeine content, and co-precipitation with polyvinylpyrrolidone improved recovery yield and encapsulation of bioactive compounds.

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2022·Natural product research·Santiago Cadena-Carrera, Deise Parolo Tramontin, Rosângela Jacques, et al

Green-based methods to obtain bioactive compounds fromLoes. using polar solvent.

Study

The study conducted chemical analysis of guayusa leaves using various extraction techniques with water and ethanol as solvents. The extracts were evaluated for phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, identifying caffeine, theobromine, and 5-caffeoylquinic acid as main substances. Guayusa is suggested as a natural source of bioactive compounds with potential applications.

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2021·Natural product research·Ivan Chóez-Guaranda, Rafael Viteri-Espinoza, Ana Barragán-Lucas, et al

Effect of solvent-solvent partition on antioxidant activity and GC-MS profile ofLoes. leaves extract and fractions.

StudyInflammation

The study investigates the antioxidant activity and volatile compounds of guayusa leaves extract and fractions. The ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest inhibition against DPPH radical and ferric reducing antioxidant power, suggesting strong antioxidant properties related to phenolic acids, flavones, flavonols, and other compounds identified by GC-MS.

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2024·Foods (Basel, Switzerland)·Hasim Kelebek, Hatice Kubra Sasmaz, Ozge Aksay, et al

Exploring the Impact of Infusion Parameters and In Vitro Digestion on the Phenolic Profile and Antioxidant Capacity of Guayusa (Loes.) Tea Using Liquid Chromatography, Diode Array Detection, and Electrospray Ionization Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

In vitro

The study investigates the impact of infusion parameters and in vitro digestion on the phenolic profile and antioxidant capacity of Guayusa tea. It examines the effects of infusion time, temperature, and solvent conditions on the tea's phenolic content and antioxidant capacity, identifying chlorogenic acid and its derivatives as predominant compounds. The study also explores changes in phenolic and flavonoid compounds during in vitro digestion.

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2021·Clinical and experimental dental research·Sandra J Gutiérrez-Prieto, Luis G Sequeda-Castañeda, Gabriela M Penedo-Jaramillo, et al

In vitro mineral apposition analysis of two Colombian plant extracts on Amelogenesis imperfecta teeth.

In vitron = 128

In vitro study comparing the remineralizing effects of Piper marginatum Jacq. and Ilex guayusa Loes plant extracts on teeth with Amelogenesis imperfecta against commercial products Clinpro-3M and Recaldent™. Both plant extracts exhibited phosphate and orthophosphate mineral apposition, with P. marginatum Jacq. showing better results.

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2017·Food & function·Madelein D Pardau, Andreia S P Pereira, Zeno Apostolides, et al

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Ilex guayusa tea preparations: a comparison to Camellia sinensis teas.

ObservationalInflammation Nutrition

The study compares the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of Ilex guayusa tea to Camellia sinensis teas. I. guayusa teas showed significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, with polyphenolic content and radical scavenging capacities nearly half of those in C. sinensis teas. The teas provided 60-80% protection from oxidative stress and reduced nitric oxide production by 10-30% in cellular assays.

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2017·Journal of the science of food and agriculture·Almudena García-Ruiz, Nieves Baenas, Ana M Benítez-González, et al

Guayusa (Ilex guayusa L.) new tea: phenolic and carotenoid composition and antioxidant capacity.

StudyNutrition

The study analyzed the phenolic and carotenoid composition and antioxidant capacity of guayusa leaves. It identified 14 phenolic compounds and five carotenoids, with chlorogenic acid and lutein being prominent. Blanched guayusa retained phenolic compounds and antioxidant capacity, while fermentation reduced bioactive content.

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2025·Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)·Tafne Coelho Mello, Danielle da Silva Dias, Nathalia Bernardes, et al

Ilex Guayusa Tea Improves Glycaemia and Autonomic Modulation in Female Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

Animal studyn = 13Heart Health Nutrition

The study evaluated the effects of Ilex guayusa tea on cardiovascular, autonomic, metabolic, and oxidative stress parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Ilex guayusa tea consumption mitigated metabolic and autonomic dysfunction, suggesting a potential therapeutic role in managing diabetic complications.

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2025·Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)·Paco Noriega, Erick Moreno, Ana Falcón, et al

Guayusa (Loes.) Ancestral Plant of Ecuador: History, Traditional Uses, Chemistry, Biological Activity, and Potential Industrial Uses.

Review

This narrative review explores the potential of guayusa, a medicinal plant from Ecuador, analyzing its ethnobotanical aspects, traditional uses, secondary metabolites, and research. It highlights guayusa's uses as a physical and mental stimulant, analgesic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and phytohormonal agent.

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2017·Journal of the science of food and agriculture·José Villacís-Chiriboga, Almudena García-Ruiz, Nieves Baenas, et al

Changes in phytochemical composition, bioactivity and in vitro digestibility of guayusa leaves (Ilex guayusa Loes.) in different ripening stages.

In vitroInflammation

The study assessed the influence of leaf age on phenolic compounds, carotenoids, bioactivity, and digestibility of guayusa leaf extracts. Young leaves showed higher phenolic content and significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity, though no antibacterial activity was observed.

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2016·International journal of toxicology·Robert W Kapp, Odete Mendes, Shambhu Roy, et al

General and Genetic Toxicology of Guayusa Concentrate (Ilex guayusa).

Animal study

Various studies evaluated the general and genetic toxicology of a standardized liquid concentrate of guayusa (GC). Guayusa concentrate was negative in in vitro genotoxicity tests and had an oral median lethal dose (LD50) >5,000 mg/kg for female rats. In a 90-day subchronic study, effects in GC-treated rats were comparable to a caffeine control group, with no signs of incremental toxicity from other components of guayusa.

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1991·Journal of ethnopharmacology·W H Lewis, E J Kennelly, G N Bass, et al

Ritualistic use of the holly Ilex guayusa by Amazonian Jívaro Indians.

StudyEnergy

The paper discusses the ritualistic use of Ilex guayusa leaf decoctions by Amazonian Jívaro Indians as a morning stimulant due to its high caffeine content. Ritualistic vomiting is practiced to manage caffeine intake and prevent undesirable CNS effects.

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2019·Critical reviews in food science and nutrition·Graham Wise, Adam Negrin

A critical review of the composition and history of safe use of guayusa: a stimulant and antioxidant novel food.

Review

This narrative review assesses the safety of guayusa as a novel food, examining its taxonomy, chemical composition, toxicology, ethnobotany, and history of safe use. Guayusa is traditionally consumed in the western Amazon and is considered to have antioxidant and stimulant properties. The review concludes that guayusa has a well-documented chemical composition and history of safe use, supporting its potential authorization as a novel food in the EU.

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1989·Diabetes research (Edinburgh, Scotland)·S K Swanston-Flatt, C Day, P R Flatt, et al

Glycaemic effects of traditional European plant treatments for diabetes. Studies in normal and streptozotocin diabetic mice.

Animal studyNutrition

Animal study evaluating the effects of traditional European plant treatments on glucose homeostasis in normal and streptozotocin diabetic mice. Guayusa and mushroom retarded the development of hyperglycaemia and improved several diabetic parameters, suggesting potential antidiabetic properties.

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