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Guarana to boost energy levels
I am a shift worker and often work several 10-hour shifts at a time. I do my best to eat well and stay healthy but I am feeling increasingly tired and low in energy on the days between shifts. I have heard about an energy-boosting herb called Guarana. Would this help and can I take it long term?
Guarana is a natural energy booster that comes from the Amazon rainforest - a place which contains half of all the plant species on Earth. Many of the world’s pharmaceuticals are derived from, inspired by or a copy of natural medicines - and yet to this day, less than 2% of all plant species have been tested for their medicinal properties in laboratories. The vast majority of the remaining 98% can be found, like guarana, in the tropical rainforests.
Described as a ‘tonic herb’ it is not used for specific health properties, but as a general revitaliser, which is what you are looking for. In South America, it is incorporated in drinks, cereals, and even sweets. You can now buy it here as a breakfast cereal bar or in chewing gum.
Guarana contains caffeine - but a 500mg capsule provides just 15mg of this natural stimulant, which is low compared with the 80-120mg dose you’ll get in just one cup of coffee. The key difference is that guarana also contains other compounds which effectively slow down the assimilation of that caffeine by the body, so that a single dose will provide a more sustained energy hit that can last up to six hours. When your energy is very low, take three 500mg capsules a day - but only use this as a short-term measure. For a longer-term return to vitality you may need to rethink your current work patterns, eating habits, and lifestyle. Not many people could work several 10 hour shifts consecutively and wake up at the end of it with any energy at all.
*Rio Trading has a range of Guarana products including powders, capsules, drinks and gum. For price details call 01273-570987.