Guarana - Caffeine's Fat Burning Connection!

Guarana is common to many popular stimulant-based weight loss products (like Estrin-D and the popular Lean System 7, one of the few products which we recommend). Guarana is included mainly for its caffeine content (caffeine is a potent thermogenic, and guarana is standardized to between 10-16% caffeine), but guarana has other potential benefits...

It also has anti-oxidant and diuretic properties. Harvested in Brazil and Uraguay, this wild-growing climbing shrub has been used for centuries as a general health-tonic, and recently as a refreshing, "invigorating" drink. However, it's the fat burning potential of guarana that concerns us most here. When harvested and processed, the ripe Guarana fruit yields about 10% caffeine.

Caffeine does a fine job of goading the nervous system into action, resulting in additional fat burning through a complex process called lipolysis (encourages fat cells to release fat into the bloodstream for fuel). It also provides a decent energy boost that spurs performance.

For this reason, it is also being added to many performance drinks -- although many consumers are unaware that guarana is standardized for caffeine.

And yes, there is clinical data validating caffeine's effects on weight loss (see Am J Clin Nutr. 1989 Jan;49(1):44-50, Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 May;33(5):989-97, Am J Physiol. 1995 Oct;269(4 Pt 1):E671-8).

As an ancillary ingredient, guarana does provide some value to most compilations -- although its effects are not dramatic by any means. In other words, I would not be scared away by any product that uses guarana in a back-up role.

Any product that uses guarana as a core ingredient (like Brazlian Phyre) should be avoided, because there is little evidence guarana provides much of a fat burning effect beyond that of its caffeine content.

Have you used guarana?
Tell us all about it!

Want to learn more about fat burners? Industry professional Will Brink reviews dozens of top weight loss products in his superb "Fat Loss Revealed" Click here to read my review! Click here to visit the Fat Loss Revealed web site!

Have you been the victim of a product that makes exaggerated claims? Launch a complaint!

US visitors should submit a complaint to the US Federal Trade Commission!

Canadians, submit a complaint at the Canadian Competition Bureau!