Guarana is a climbing plant native to the Amazon rainforest; a seed is extracted from its fruits, which after long drying in the sun, turns into a red powder with multiple beneficial properties.
Index
BENEFITS OF GUARANA
Energizing effect
The guarana principle is similar to caffeine, but acts more gradually in the body, favoring a longer effect on the memory, concentration and attention. Sportsmen know its energizing properties well and use supplements to have one more gear.
Diuretic, slimming and antioxidant properties
Guarana has the effect of calm the feeling of hunger; moreover, the methylxanthin inside promotes the lipolysis, or the release of fatty acids from their deposits towards the bloodstream.
Sexual benefits
Guarana has a strong aphrodisiac power, especially if associated with another plant, the bed; you can take it when you need more stimulation in your intimate sphere.
Guarana and homeopathy
In the homeopathic field, guarana extract is used in the form of granules and drops for the migraine treatment, by states of restlessness, nervousnessoe trough.
Controindicazioni
If properly used, guarana should not create no side effects; excessive use, however, can lead to hypokalemia, electrolyte disturbance associated with a low amount of potassium in the body. Furthermore, the use of guarana is not recommended for people suffering from hypertension, hypothyroidism, kidney problems and panic attacks.
Recipes with guarana
You can use guarana powder like any other spice; for flavor the shortcrust pastry of your biscuits, for smoothies, on ice cream, in milk ... In addition, on the market, you can also find it guarana syrup! It is really versatile in the kitchen, but let's see together some recipes, simple and tasty.
- Banana and guarana smoothie
Ingredients: 1 banana, 1 tablespoon of honey, apple juice, 2 teaspoons of guarana powder. Blend all the ingredients, pour into a nice glass and enjoy a super tasty and energizing break!
- Guarana biscuits
Ingredients: 175 g rice or corn flour, 125 ml vegetable oil, 75 g cup sugar, 2 egg yolks, half a sachet of baking powder, vanillin, 2 tablespoons of guarana.
Proceed as for the normal preparation of shortcrust pastry, adding guarana to the dough.
Once the shortcrust pastry rest in the fridge, proceed to roll it out with a rolling pin and make the biscuits with the shape you prefer! Bake at 180 degrees for about 20 minutes.
- Fruit salad with guarana
Cut your favorite fruit into small pieces (my favorite fruit salad is the tropical one with mango, papaya, coconut, pineapple and passion fruit); add 2 teaspoons of stevia type sweetener, the juice of a lemon or an orange, a few mint leaves and the guarana syrup.
Leave to macerate in the fridge for a few hours before serving.
- Chocolate and guarana truffles
Ingredients: 250 g cashews, 5 tablespoons of oat flour, 2 tablespoons of coconut oil, 2 teaspoons of stevia, 2 tablespoons of agave syrup or honey, 2 tablespoons of guarana powder, cocoa in powder.
Chop the cashews and add the coconut oil and all the other ingredients, except the oats and cocoa, to a bowl placed over a saucepan with water boiling for cooking in a bain-marie.
Once the mixture has cooled, add the oats and stir until you obtain a homogeneous mixture; let it rest in the fridge for a few hours. Make small balls and pass them in the cocoa. Your fit truffles are ready!
And you, did you already know guarana? Have you ever used it?
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