Guarana features large leaves and clusters of flowers, and is best known for its fruit, which is about the size of a coffee berry.
This product is known as guarana bread or Brazilia coke, which would be grated and then immersed into hot water along with sugar. Bennett Alan Weinberg, and Bonnie K.Bealer, The World of Caffeine: The Science and Culture of the World's Most Popular Drug (New York: Routledge, 2001) 259-60 This plant was introduced to western civilization in the 17th century following its discovery by Father Felip Betendorf. By 1958, guarana was commercialized.
Bealer, The World of Caffeine: The Science and Culture of the World's Most Popular Drug (New York: Routledge, 2001) 192-3 produces several soft drink brands from guarana extract. Exceeding Brazilian sales of cola drinks, guarana-containing beverages may cause jitters associated with drinking coffee.
In rats, guarana increased memory retention and physical endurance when compared with a placebo.
One study showed an average 11.2 pound (5.1 kilogram) weight loss in a group taking a mixture of yerba mate, guarana, and damiana, compared to an average one pound loss in a placebo group after 45 days.
Source: Wikipedia > Guarana
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