Guarana has been on the market in a variety of products for at least a decade.

The herb is otherwise known as paullinia cupana and is indigenous to South America. It is a climbing plant with leaves and berries that contain over twice the amount of caffeine as coffee.

Apparently, the belief is that this high-powered, caffeine-containing plant will stimulate the metabolism and burn stored fat.

Just how much you need to take in order for it to have the desired effect varies per person. Height and weight are probably factors which determine the appropriate dose.

Unfortunately, guarana does have some negative side effects. It can cause anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, nervousness and heart palpitations. If you have hypertension or other heart-related conditions, then you should probably avoid products containing guarana.

However, even if you don’t have these conditions, you should contact your doctor to ensure that it’s safe to take guarana.

Assuming that you get the go ahead from your doctor, guarana might help to accelerate the weight loss process if combined with a healthy diet and exercise.

Taking guarana alone without any other lifestyle modifications might not give you the results you’re seeking. There is a lot of truth to the old-fashioned way of doing things. Eat less and exercise more if you want to lose weight.