Improve concentration, memory and cognitive function with guarana and green tea

Moments of tiredness when commitments crowd together and it seems like you can't keep up with everything, or even exams, situations that require more attention and concentration, are things that happen to everyone in the course of life.

In these cases, two natural remedies that support cognitive function and bring well-being and energy can be helpful, we are talking about guarana and green tea.

This statement emerges from very recent scientific research, which appeared a few days ago in the journal Nutrients and was published by a team from Romania [1].

1 An active mind with guarana and green tea

The scientists recruited 33 university students. All people under a lot of pressure.

The volunteers were divided into two groups:

• one group took 2 grams of guarana per day for 10 days
• one group took 1.5 grams of green tea, also in this case every day for 10 days

Before and after taking the remedies, the volunteers were subjected to tests to evaluate their cognitive function, taking into account their response speed, memory and attention, and to tests to indicate their mood, perceived energy and vitality.

What emerged was that:

• Both guarana and green tea significantly improved cognitive performance
• Guarana had a more powerful effect than green tea, also increasing perceived energy and the ability to retain acquired information
• Green tea was found to be better at instilling calm and well-being

2 Explanation

What was observed can be traced back to the presence in green tea and guarana of:

• caffeine
• neurostimulants, which are theobromine and guaranine in guarana and epigallocatechin gallate in green tea

These substances are able to stimulate the heart, the respiratory tract and help reduce perceived pain, stress and tiredness. Not only that, they improve mood and attention.

To these substances are also added:

• antioxidants, which fight inflammation and improve blood circulation
• L theanine, an amino acid in green tea that reduces stress and anxiety and improves mood [2]

3 Intake

Guarana is a climbing plant from the Amazon rainforest and is now appreciated for its antioxidant, antibacterial and antimicrobial action, as well as anti-obesity and anti-tumor properties.

Not only that, as we have seen, guarana is also useful for stimulating concentration, memory, information processing and response speed.

Guarana is taken in the form of:

• Powder, to be added to smoothies, yogurt and even baked goods
• Supplement, in capsules

Green tea needs no introduction. It is one of the most well-known and loved drinks in the world, useful for protecting the heart, fighting inflammation, aging, and high blood sugar. Not only that, green tea is calming and improves concentration and memory.

Green tea can be taken in the form of:

• Infusion, which is prepared by infusing tea leaves in water at 60-70° C for about 10 minutes. Drinking at least 100 ml of green tea a day brings important long-term benefits in terms of cognitive function, mood and lower risk of developing dementia
• Supplement, easily available in herbalist's shops and pharmacies. Carefully follow the instructions on the package regarding intake

4 Other remedies to support brain function

The study focused on the action of guarana and green tea to support and strengthen cognitive function.

However, other remedies also contain the stimulating substances of guarana and green tea. These are:

• coffee, for its caffeine content
• chocolate and cocoa, for its caffeine and theobromine content
• yerba mate, for its caffeine and guaranine content
• black tea, for its caffeine and theobromine content

5 Warnings and contraindications

The main warning regarding guarana is linked to its caffeine content.

In fact, guarana contains high amounts of caffeine, 2 to 4 times more than coffee, 30 times more than cocoa and 10 times more than mate. In addition, it should be considered that the stimulating effect of guarana caffeine lasts longer than coffee.

It is therefore necessary to pay attention to the general amount of caffeine that is consumed in a day, consume guarana and drinks that contain it in moderation, without combining it with alcohol, and avoid taking guarana for long periods of time. The risk, in fact, is that arrhythmias, irritability and insomnia may develop [3].

As for green tea, the infusion, being less concentrated, is safer and better tolerated than the supplement.

In general, it is possible to observe some symptoms such as headache, dizziness and nausea, but always with high doses of green tea. Drinking 3-4 cups of infusion is, however, considered beneficial and well tolerated.

If possible, avoid drinking tea during meals, to prevent antioxidants from reducing iron absorption.

In general, for both guarana and green tea, if you are taking medications, whether diuretics, diabetes medicines, anticoagulants or other heart medications such as antiarrhythmics or statins, always ask your doctor for advice.

Ask your doctor for advice even during pregnancy and breastfeeding as in these phases the tolerability to caffeine changes.