Life is stressful and can contribute to several health issues, including cancer, diabetes, strokes, or headaches. If you’ve experienced these issues, or know someone who has, then you might want to look at some natural options to help treat these conditions. Guarana is one of these natural remedies.
Guarana is a powder that comes from a South American plant in the Amazon used for various medicinal purposes, which can be something as minor as a headache to a loss of energy from cancer treatment. You can use guarana in several Brazilian recipes, including homemade energy drinks.
Maybe you need something to aid your health issues, or maybe you just want to know more–nonetheless, you’ll want to read on about guarana, its history, and how to prepare it.
What Is Guarana?
Guarana is a red, white, and black plant with seeds used for the powder found inside. It is very popular in Brazil as it is a fruit found in the Amazon.
While there’s no scientific proof, the guarana powder is believed to help significantly with several health issues.
Whether it’s mixed with water or a tasty beverage, the chemicals within guarana could possibly help you.
Guarana contains something called guaranine, which is essentially the same thing as caffeine. Regardless of that, the effects are nowhere near the same.
To put it in simpler terms, guarana is a natural form of caffeine, much like coffee.
There are many ways to enjoy guarana and its bitter, woody flavor. The most common way is in Brazilian drinks.
You can mix the powder in water or tea, but others use it to create energy drinks and other carbonated beverages like guarana soda.
However, beverages aren’t the only base for guarana, as Brazilians add it to their other recipes. You can add a little bit of guarana to your breakfast as a natural wake-up call.
What Can You Use Guarana For?
Guarana has a wide variety of medical purposes. One basic use is simply as an energy boost, almost like a natural energy drink.
However, it is critical that you do not take this in large doses long-term, as it can be dangerous to your health.
While some people just need a pick-me-up, guarana is also used for more serious medical conditions, which include anxiety, exhaustion, and lack of appetite in people with cancer, radiation-based illnesses, chronic fatigue syndrome, heart disease, malaria, arthritis, and many more.
However, every type of medicine has side effects.
Side Effects of Guarana
While guarana seems like it could solve nearly all of your problems, it is not exempt from side effects.
Suppose guarana is taken for a long period of time in normal doses. In that case, there’s a possibility that it could cause the following: insomnia, nervousness, nausea, increased heart rate, and many more.
However, in larger doses, guarana can cause anxiety, agitation, ringing in the ears, urinating pain, stomach cramps, and more.
There is also a chance of caffeine withdrawal symptoms if you consistently use guarana.
As with every type of medicine, you can overdose on guarana, especially if you use abnormally high doses.
If you think the side effects are too risky, the history behind guarana might persuade you otherwise.
A History Lesson on Guarana
Guarana was named after the Guarani tribe in the Amazon, who believed that the Brazilian seed had medicinal powers, as we know it today, and praised its ability to easily restore one’s energy.
You can use guarana today as the Amazonian tribe did so many years ago. They crushed it up and mixed it into their drinks or food.
In modern times, Brazilian people do the same thing, even using the powder as a distinct flavoring for many dishes.
If you want to know what you can put guarana in, read further for some of the more popular Guarana recipes.
How To Use Guarana In Recipes
You can use guarana in water or tea, but did you know that there are several appetizing Brazilian recipes that use guarana? Delicious treats, energizing drinks, and even savory foods use guarana.
Before using these recipes, you’ll need to buy a bag of guarana online, or in your local supermarket, if they have it.
You can get an 8oz (227 grams) bag of Alovitox Organic Guarana Seed Powder on Amazon.
Or try Brazil’s most popular soda, Guarana Antarctica on Amazon.
Why bother leaving the house when you can just get it delivered right to your door?
Now that you have your guarana powder ready, let’s see what types of food and beverages you can add it to.
Energizing Hot Cocoa
Maybe it’s cold outside or you’re just in the mood for some delicious hot chocolate. Regardless of your reasons, wouldn’t it be nice to add some energy to the creamy chocolate drink?
For this energizing hot chocolate, you’ll need:
- 3 cups of cold water
- 3 tablespoons of organic cacao nibs
- 10-12 guarana seeds
- 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
- A pinch of cayenne powder
- 1/2 cup of milk (dairy or dairy-free)
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Honey to taste
Gently simmer water, guarana seeds, cacao nibs, and cinnamon in a pot for 30 minutes. Then, strain out the herbs and return the liquid to the pot.
Gently whisk in the milk, vanilla extract, and the pink of cayenne powder.
If you want it to be sweet, add in one spoonful of honey at a time until you reach the desired sweetness. Stir until it is all mixed and pour into your cup. Enjoy!
Guarana Smoothie
But maybe hot drinks aren’t your cup of tea (pun intended).
If you love the thick consistency of smoothies and you need some energy, you’re going to love this recipe.
To make this breakfast smoothie, you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 cup diced cucumber
- 3 tablespoons rolled oats
- 2 teaspoons peanut butter (or other nut butter)
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1 cup of milk of your choice
- 1 teaspoon of guarana powder.
Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until it reaches the desired consistency. Pour into a cup and enjoy!
Energy Balls
Enough about drinks–let’s have a snack! If energizing beverages aren’t your style, you could use guarana to make some yummy energy balls.
The following recipe should make 15 balls:
- 4 cups chopped dates
- 1 teaspoon almond paste
- 1 teaspoon Maca powder
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon of guarana powder
For the outer coating, you can get as creative as you want. You can use cocoa powder, chocolate powder, sesame seeds, corn flakes, sugar, and anything else you want!
Simmer about ½ cup water and pour over dates and let sit for 10-15 minutes, which will allow you to peel them and remove the seeds.
Place the dates in a food processor and add almond paste. Add some water so it isn’t super sticky. Once the paste is ready, add it to the Maca powder, guarana powder, and cocoa powder.
Mix it until it is really well blended.
Roll into balls in your palm, then in the coating of your choice. Chill for at least 30 minutes and enjoy!
With all of these recipes, you may be tempted to make them all. But keep in mind that high doses of guarana long-term can have serious side effects, so try one recipe at a time.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a natural boost in your energy, you might want to try some guarana soda, mixing it into your drinks or take it as a supplement on its own.
However, as always, consult your doctor to see if guarana is safe, depending on the medications you might be taking.
Learn about Jabuticaba, another Brazilian fruit that looks very similar to Guarana,
Sources
- Brain Effect: Guarana
- Quora: What Does Guarana Taste Like?
- Web MD: Guarana: Overview
- Amazon: Alovitox Organic Guarana Seed Powder
- Mountain Rose Herbs: Energizing Hot Cocoa
- Nourish Everyday: Guarana Smoothie
- The Yoginist: Energy Balls
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Jorge Garcia is the founder of AmigoFoods, where he has spent over 20 years helping readers discover authentic Latin American and Spanish cuisine. Raised in a Cuban-American household, Jorge learned to cook at the hands of his mother and grandmother, carrying forward generations of family recipes. That heritage, backed by his family’s four-generation history in the Latin food industry, inspired him to launch AmigoFoods in 2003. With more than 1,000 published articles on recipes, ingredients, and food culture, Jorge’s mission is simple: make authentic Latin cooking approachable for home cooks everywhere while honoring the traditions behind every dish.