Effects of Acute Guarana (Paullinia cupana) Ingestion on Mental Performance and Vagal Modulation Compared to a Low Dose of Caffeine.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the acute effects of Guarana (GUA) and a low dose of caffeine (CAF) on cognitive performance and mood parameters in a controlled setting.
Results Summary
The study found no significant effects of GUA or low-dose CAF on cognitive performance or heart rate variability, though GUA showed a temporary increase in perceived mental energy post-ingestion. Accuracy in the 2N-Back Task improved only with placebo, and no consistent benefits on mood or mental workload were observed.
Population
Twenty participants in a double-blind, crossover experiment.
Effective Dosage
500 mg GUA (containing 130 mg caffeine) and 100 mg CAF, administered once.
Duration
Acute (single-dose) intervention with measurements taken 60 minutes post-ingestion.
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guarana (GUA) | no change | response time for the cognitive tests | twenty participants | - | unaffected | #1 |
Guarana (GUA) | no change | heart rate variability | twenty participants | - | unaffected | #2 |
low dose of caffeine (CAF) | no change | response time for the cognitive tests | twenty participants | - | unaffected | #3 |
low dose of caffeine (CAF) | no change | heart rate variability | twenty participants | - | unaffected | #4 |
placebo (PLA) | increase | accuracy in the 2N-Back Task | twenty participants | - | higher post-ingestion versus pre-ingestion levels | #5 |
Guarana (GUA) | no change | cognitive measures following physical fatigue | n = 11 | - | had no effect | #6 |
low dose of caffeine (CAF) | no change | cognitive measures following physical fatigue | n = 11 | - | had no effect | #7 |
Guarana (GUA) | decrease | perceived mental energy | twenty participants | - | had lower mental pep ratings compared to post-ingestion | #8 |
Guarana (GUA) | decrease | perceived mental energy | twenty participants | - | had lower mental pep ratings compared to post-exercise | #9 |
Guarana (GUA) | no change | mood or mental workload through vagal modulation | twenty participants | - | neither influenced cognitive performance nor provided consistent benefit | #10 |
low dose of caffeine (CAF) | no change | mood or mental workload through vagal modulation | twenty participants | - | neither influenced cognitive performance nor provided consistent benefit | #11 |
Guarana (GUA), a Brazilian seed extract, contains caffeine and other bioactive compounds that may have psychoactive effects. To assess the acute effects of GUA compared to a low dose of caffeine (CAF) on cognitive and mood parameters, twenty participants completed a double-blind, crossover experiment where they ingested capsules containing the following: (1) 100 mg CAF, (2) 500 mg GUA containing 130 mg caffeine, or (3) placebo (PLA). Cognitive tests (Simon and 2N-Back Task) were performed at the baseline (pre-ingestion) and 60 min after ingestion. The response time for the cognitive tests and heart rate variability were unaffected (p > 0.05) by treatment, although 2N-Back was overall faster (p = 0.001) across time. The accuracy in the 2N-Back Task showed a significant interaction effect (p = 0.029) due to higher post-ingestion versus pre-ingestion levels (p = 0.033), but only with the PLA. The supplements also had no effect on cognitive measures following physical fatigue (n = 11). There was an interaction effect on perceived mental energy, where the pre-ingestion of GUA had lower mental pep ratings compared to post-ingestion (p = 0.006) and post-exercise (p = 0.018) levels. Neither the acute ingestion of GUA nor low dose of CAF influenced cognitive performance or provided consistent benefit on mood or mental workload through vagal modulation. Additional investigations are beneficial to determining the lowest effective dose for CAF or GUA to influence mood and/or cognitive performance.