Guarana

The plant has large leaves and clusters of flowers, and its seeds are about the size of a coffee bean. The fruit ranges in colour from brown to red and holds black seeds that are partly covered by white arils.

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Origin and Production

Brazil is the largest and only producer of guarana in the world, with 15,356 hectares planted with guarana and 2698 metric tons of dry seeds produced. The productivity is 229 kg of dry seeds per hectare. Guarana seeds are the most commonly consumed part of the plant.

Chemistry

Guarana contains large amounts of caffeine with small amounts of theobromine and theophylline in a naturally occurring slow-release excipient. As in other plants that produce caffeine, the high concentration of caffeine is a defensive toxin that repels insects from the berry and seeds.

Uses

Guarana is a primary ingredient of energy drinks. The Satere Maue people normally crushed the seed and used it as a beverage and as an herb to treat diarrhea and arthritis and to deal with fatigue and hunger. A fermented drink is also prepared from guaraná seeds, cassava and water. The word guaraná is used in Brazil, Peru and Paraguay as a reference to soft drinks containing guaraná extract.