Acute efects of the Paulinia cupana, "Guaraná" on the cognition of normal volunteers

Abstract

The authors studied the acute effects of "Guaraná", when compared to caffeine and placebo, (double blind study) on cognition, anxiety and sleep in 30 normal volunteers. Although results were negative it cannot be concluded that "Guaraná" is harmless. Other studies shall be undertaken, administering "Guaraná" on a long term basis, as popularly proclaimed.

Effects of a commercial product containing guaraná on psychological well-being, anxiety and mood: a single-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy subjects

“…In particular, various double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in human subjects showed that guaranà acutely improves some parameters of cognitive performance without effects on mood [3], enhances secondary memory performance and increases alert and some content mood ratings [4], increases speed and accuracy of performing rapid visual information processing tasks and attenuates mental fatigue associated with extended task performance [5]. At least one controlled study however failed to report any effects on psychomotor speed and accuracy, memory, visuomotor performance, planning and problem solving [6]. Conflicting results have been reported also in the few studies which addressed the effects of guaranà after long-term administration.…”

Effect of crude extract and its semi purified constituents from guaraná seeds [Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis (Mart.) lucke] on cognitive performance in Morris water maze in rats

“…The results observed in the MWMT did not reflect a general increase in motor activity due to chronic administration of EBPC and EPA extracts, since the same doses which induced increase in cognition and anti-amnesia effect, produced no increase ambulatory behavior in the OFT. In young and elderly normal volunteers, acute or chronic administration of guaraná produced no effects on cognition (Galduroz and Carlini, 1994;1996) Mattei et al (1998 and Espinola et al (1997) reported increase in physical capacity, and antiamnesia effects in rats and mice treated with guaraná seeds extract. However, rats treated with caffeine in a dosage similar to the amount found in the guaraná extract did not show betterment of their physical and mental performances (Espinola et al, 1997), suggesting that these effects were due to components present in the extract different from caffeine.…”

Behavioural effects of compounds co-consumed in dietary forms of caffeinated plants

“…As saponins and tannins have effects that may, directly or indirectly, affect behaviour, it is extremely likely that any effects of caffeine within guaraná are concomitant with effects of other components. It is also possible that guaraná simply has no behavioural effects as suggested by null findings (170,171) ; however, the lack of observed effects in these studies must be considered in light of a lack of effects of 25 mg caffeine, suggesting that the tasks employed may simply not be sensitive enough.…”