A Natural Boost to Kick Start Your Afternoon

Do you experience the 2pm slump? Think going back for that 4th cup of coffee is wise? Think again. The acidity of coffee is associated with digestive discomfort, indigestion, heart burn, GERD and dysbiosis (imbalances in your gut flora). And the sugar content of some of the mainstream energy drink brands is more harmful than the caffeine in these drinks.

So what are some beverage alternatives to these two major sources of afternoon pick me up?

Green Tea

Green tea has less caffeine than a cup of coffee but enough to give you a boost without any of the coffee jitters. It’s also packed with Catechins, which are powerful antioxidants and potent disease fighters.

Guarana

Guarana is a Brazilian plant native to the Amazon basin. Amazonian tribes have used guarana for centuries for its therapeutic properties (2). It contains an impressive range of stimulants, such as caffeine, theophylline and theobromine.

Here are a few of the benefits of guarana, all supported by science -

1. Rich in Antioxidants

   Guarana is loaded with compounds that have antioxidant properties. These include caffeine, theobromine, tannins, saponins and catechins (3, 4, 5). In fact, guarana has an antioxidant profile similar to that of green tea (6). Antioxidants are important because they neutralize potentially harmful molecules called free radicals. These molecules can interact with parts of your cells and cause damage linked to aging, heart disease, cancers and other diseases (7). Test-tube studies have found that guarana’s antioxidant properties may combat cancer cell growth and reduce heart disease risk and skin aging (8, 9).

2. Can Reduce Fatigue and Improve Focus

   Guarana is best known as an ingredient in popular energy drinks. It’s an excellent source of caffeine, which helps you maintain focus and mental energy. In fact, guarana seeds may contain four to six times more caffeine than coffee beans (10). Caffeine works by blocking the effects of adenosine, a compound that helps your brain relax. It binds to adenosine receptors, preventing them from being activated (11). A study found that people who took a guarana-containing vitamin supplement felt less fatigued while completing several tests, compared to those who took a placebo (12). Interestingly, studies also show that guarana can reduce mental fatigue due to cancer treatment, without significant side effects (13, 14, 15).

3. May Help You Learn Better

   Research has shown that guarana may improve your ability to learn and remember. One study looked at the effects of different doses of guarana on mood and learning. Participants received either no guarana, 37.5 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg or 300 mg (16). People who received either 37.5 mg or 75 mg of guarana achieved the highest test scores. Since low doses of guarana provide low doses of caffeine, it’s believed that other compounds in guarana aside from caffeine may be partially responsible (16).Another study compared guarana to ginseng, another brain-boosting compound.Although both guarana and ginseng improved memory and test performance, people who received guarana paid more attention to their tasks and completed them faster (17).Furthermore, animal studies have shown that guarana can improve memory (18, 19).

4. May Promote Weight Loss

   Obesity is a growing concern, as it has been linked to many chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer (21).Interestingly, guarana may have properties that help promote weight loss. First, guarana is a rich source of caffeine, which may boost your metabolism by 3–11% over 12 hours. A faster metabolism means your body burns more calories at rest (22).What’s more, test-tube studies have found that guarana may suppress genes that aid fat cell production and promote genes that slow it down (23, 24). However, more human-based studies are needed.

5. Has Antibacterial Properties

   Guarana contains many compounds that may inhibit or kill harmful bacteria, such as E. coli and Streptococcus mutans.

6. Safe With Few Side Effect

   Guarana has an excellent safety profile and is widely available. In high doses, it may have similar side effects to those of excessive caffeine intake.

I favour this drink that blends the best of guarana and green tea. It can be enjoyed hot or cold and comes in several different flavours. They come in easy little packets that you can take with you wherever use code ARBONNE10 to get 10% off your purchase (full disclosure I am an affiliate and may get a small compensation). Trust me - these little packets are the cat’s ass!