Guayusa Antioxidants And Caffeine Content
Guayusa Antioxidants And Caffeine Content – Here’s What You Need To Know
Guayusa is a natural caffeine supplement found where the Ecuadorian Amazon meets the Andes Mountains. The Guayusa leaves are grown in forest gardens on a variety of Holly tree – and then they’re sustainably picked, dried and brewed to make a nourishing tea.
Kichwa tribes have been consuming Guayusa for over 2000 years, but perhaps due to their remote location, the Guayusa leaf has had a slow rise to global fame.
But finally, the western world is waking up to Guayusa and its astonishing health benefits. Namely: energy, immunity, digestion, heart health and antioxidants.
So, what’s the tea on Guayusa antioxidants and its caffeine properties? And how does it differ from the famous cup of coffee?
Guayusa Caffeine Content
Guayusa tea is best known for its natural energising effects. Its caffeine content sits in a sweet spot between coffee and black tea… Not quite as much caffeine as coffee, but more caffeine than black tea. But unlike coffee, Guayusa gives slow-release energy over 4 – 6 hours (without the jitters and crashes). So it’s little wonder why people are now choosing to substitute coffee with Guayusa.
But there’s another (lesser-known) stimulant in Guayusa called theobromine. Theobromine is an alkaloid that’s commonly found in chocolate, with similar stimulating effects to caffeine, but a little more gentle. Research shows that the combination of caffeine and theobromine is beneficial for our mood and state of alertness (without the negative side effects).
On top of caffeine and theobromine, Guayusa leaves also contain the stimulant theophylline. This is an alkaloid that works to relax muscles in the airway, which can in turn benefit respiration and heart health.
Like three best friends, research suggests that caffeine, theobromine and theophylline all work better together. In other words, it’s the smooth energy kick we’ve all been looking for.
Guayusa Antioxidants Content
Today, the term antioxidant is plastered all over health food articles and food labels – but have you ever stopped to think about how they actually work in your body?
Free radicals are naturally occurring compounds in your body that can cause harm if their levels are too high. You see, having too many free radicals can lead to oxidative stress, and in turn, several health problems including diabetes, inflammation and heart disease. Thankfully, antioxidants help to fight off free radicals and keep them in check.
Guayusa is incredibly rich in polyphenols, a type of antioxidant which is abundant in many plant-based foods. Polyphenols can help to protect the body against inflammation, cancer, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other health conditions. Guayusa also contains antioxidant flavonols, like carotenoids and catechins – believed to lower cholesterol levels.
It’s important to add that there have been limited studies to test the effects of Guayusa’s antioxidant levels. However, Kichwa people in Ecuador have been using Guayusa to soothe stomach problems, body aches and flu symptoms for thousands of years. So perhaps the answer lies within these ancient tribes.
Are There Any Side Effects of Guayusa?
Caffeine has ample health benefits, but having too much of a good thing can cause insomnia, irritability and even an irregular heartbeat. But the good news is that studies to date show very few adverse effects of Guayusa caffeine. Due to its milder, gentler caffeine content – the unwanted side effects (like you experience in a cup of coffee) are very rare.
But like anything, it’s still recommended that you drink Guayusa within moderation, especially if you’re sensitive to caffeine.
Simply steep the leaves, pour and enjoy a moment of calm.
Ready To Honour Your Body With A Boost Of Natural Energy And Antioxidants?
Kickstart your morning with our Pure Guayusa Tea or our Guayusa and Cinnamon Myrtle blend. We’ll donate $1 from every single tea canister we sell to the Ecuadorian Foundation Conciencia Amazonica, so they can continue sharing Guayusa with the world.
