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| - Last Updated on October 25, 2022 by Neelam Singh
Quick Take
A social media post claims that a person can treat poor memory, fatigue and high cholesterol by consuming a drink made with Guarana powder and orange. We fact-checked and found the claim to be Half True. Even though Guarana powder and orange have their benefits, these can’t be used as a sole treatment modality.
The Claim
A Facebook post shares the recipe on how to prepare a drink made with Guarana powder and orange, which can treat poor memory, fatigue, and high cholesterol with just these 2 ingredients.
Fact Check
What is Guarana?
Guarana is a plant that is native to the Amazon. Its seed contains around four times the amount of caffeine compared to that found in coffee beans. It is added to various energy drinks, but its overconsumption can be harmful to health.
Are the ingredients, guarana powder and orange, good for poor memory?
Most likely. Orange is rich in several nutrients, such as vitamin C, phytonutrients, and flavonoids, that can help brain health and cognitive function. Various studies suggest that the components present in orange can be good for brain health. Similarly, research that studied the acute behavioural effects of guaraná in humans found that “Guarana improved secondary memory performance and increased alert and content mood ratings.” Another study published in the Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior compared Guarana to Ginseng and found that both of these improved performances and memory. Lastly, studies done on rats also suggested that Guarana is promising to be used as adjuvant therapy for cognitive disorders and may improve memory.
Are the ingredients, guarana powder and orange, good for fatigue?
Most probably. Orange contains various nutrients, and Vitamin C, natural sugar and its antioxidant properties can help reduce oxidative stress in the body, thus preventing fatigue.
Similarly, Guarana is also considered helpful in preventing fatigue as it is a good source of caffeine, which reduces fatigue. Research done on breast cancer patients suggested that Guarana can be used for the short-term treatment of fatigue in patients receiving systemic chemotherapy. However, it mentions that further research is needed to generalize this.
Can Guarana powder and orange reduce cholesterol?
Maybe. Apart from boosting overall health, oranges are speculated to reduce cholesterol. The speculation arises due to the presence of a substance called Phytosterols (plant sterols), which can block cholesterol from being absorbed into the intestines. Apart from this, the high fibre content can also aid in lowering cholesterol. A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in 2004 found that a compound, namely polymethoxylated flavones (PMFs), found in the peels of citrus fruit has the potential to lower cholesterol. Also, another study suggested that long-term orange juice consumption is associated with low LDL cholesterol.
Similarly, there have been studies that suggest that, among other benefits, it can also lower cholesterol levels. Another study found that similar to other foods rich in caffeine and catechins, Guarana may decrease the oxidation of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol.
Can a drink made with Guarana powder and orange treat poor memory, fatigue and high cholesterol?
Not exactly. Even though there are a few scientific studies that show that Guarana can be used as adjuvant therapy and aid in these issues, there is no scientific evidence that proves that the combination of Guarana powder and orange can treat any of the conditions mentioned here. Also, most of the studies done so far are animal studies that lack human trials, and the ones done on humans need further research to draw a definite conclusion.
It must be noted that the overconsumption of these two ingredients can be bad for health. The overconsumption of oranges can cause digestive problems such as bloating, heartburn, etc. Likewise, guarana if consumed in high doses, can lead to palpitations, headache, insomnia, anxiety, digestive issues, and addictiveness due to caffeine.
Nutritionist Anurupa Bose explains, “Guarana is basically a plant which is used as an ingredient in most energy drinks, and it contains caffeine. Taking guarana powder in large quantities can be unsafe as they are potent to cause some side effects such as stomach upset, anxiety, disturbed sleep, restlessness, irritability and rapid heartbeat; long-term usage involves psychological dependence. Guarana powder and orange have been reported to have some benefits as well. It contains caffeine, theobromine, catechins and other compounds with antioxidant properties.
Adenosine is a compound that relaxes your brain and makes you feel drowsy, as guarana is rich in caffeine; it blocks the effects of adenosine and reduces fatigue and improves memory and focus and helps you to learn better. It also aids heart health by promoting blood flow and improving blood clots and also by decreasing the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. But taking in less quantity is essential to get the benefits out of it, and excessive usage should be avoided to get rid of harmful side effects.”
THIP Media Take: Even though Guarana powder and orange are speculated to aid in these conditions, further research is needed in order to be implemented as a therapeutic alternative. Lastly, overconsumption of any of these can cause health issues.
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