Risks of Guarana

Guarana, an herbal supplement used in energy drinks or as a weight loss aid, has never been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration for purity, effectiveness or safety, according to eMedicine. Unfortunately, there are no manufacturing regulations to govern the manufacture of the herbal supplement or to ensure its safety. If taken in high doses, over a long period of time, guarana may prove fatal due to the quantity of caffeine, theophylline and theobromine the supplement contains, according to WebMD.

Overdose

• The risk of caffeine overdose exists when using guarana if moderation is not practiced. Excessive amounts of caffeine in the human body can cause restlessness, insomnia, nervousness, nausea, vomiting and irritated stomach lining.

  Caffeine increases the heart rate, causes trembling to occur, increased blood pressure and delirium can also result. In individuals with a heart condition or who are at risk for a stroke should consult their doctor before using guarana. The increased activity of the cardiovascular system brought on from using guarana can prove lethal.

  Other side effects of increased caffeine consumption are pain when urinating, ringing in the ears, headache and agitation, according to WebMD.

Allergic Reaction

• Extreme, life threatening allergic reactions to guarana have been recorded, according to eMedicine and Drugs.com. Users have experienced hives, swelling of the tongue, swelling of the throat and difficulty breathing. The lips and face have also shown swelling. Irregular heartbeat and chest pain have also occurred.

  If a serious reaction occurs after taking guarana, the user should seek immediate medical treatment and promptly stop taking the herbal supplement.

Pregnancy Reactions

• A small amount of guarana while pregnant or breastfeeding may not be harmful but consult with your doctor first before using the herbal supplement. In larger doses guarana can cause an adverse reaction such as an increased risk miscarriage or possible adverse side effects to the fetus or baby.

Diabetes Risk

• Users of guarana who are also diabetic may suffer complicated blood sugar control. The caffeine in guarana can effect how a person's body utilizes blood glucose.

  Sufferers of low blood sugar who have Type I Diabetes often exhibit more intense symptoms when using guarana. This could complicate the user's ability to adequately understand their symptoms and effectively treat the diabetes.

  Anyone suffering from diabetes should consult their doctor about the possible risks of guarana before taking the supplement.

Glaucoma

• Users of guarana who suffer from glaucoma should be aware that the elevated caffeine in the supplement can increase the pressure within the eyes. The increased pressure begins in the sufferer's eyes as little as 30 minutes after taking guarana.

Calcium Loss Risk

• The caffeine in guarana increases the risk of osteoporosis by flushing out the calcium in the body. The calcium loss could weaken the bones of osteoporosis sufferers further, according to WebMD. Post menopausal women or anyone suffering from a degrees of osteoporosis should consult their doctor about the increased risk of calcium loss when using guarana.