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Cognitive effects of guarana supplementation with maximal intensity cycling.

  • 2022-09-23
  • The British journal of nutrition 130(2)
    • Tom Gurney
    • Naomi Bradley
    • Dionisio Izquierdo
    • Flaminia Ronca

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
25 participants
Methods
Randomised double-blind crossover trial, three supplements (guarana, caffeine, placebo), cognitive tests before and after maximal cycling
Blinding
Double-blind
Funding
Unclear
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of guarana supplementation on cognitive performance before and after a bout of maximal intensity cycling and to compare this to an equivalent caffeine dose. Twenty-five participants completed the randomised double-blind crossover trial by performing cognitive tests with one of three supplements, on three different days: guarana (125 mg/kg), caffeine (5 mg/kg) or placebo (65 mg/kg protein powder). After 30 min of rest, participants performed simple (SRT) and choice reaction time (CRT) tests, an immediate word recall test and Bond-Lader mood scale. This was followed by a cycling V̇O2max test, and cognitive tests were then immediately repeated. Guarana supplementation decreased CRT before exercise (407 (sd 45) ms) in comparison with placebo (421 (sd 46) ms, P = 0·030) but not caffeine (417 (sd 42) ms). SRT after exercise decreased following guarana supplementation (306 (sd 28) ms) in comparison with placebo (323 (sd 32) ms, P = 0·003) but not caffeine (315 (sd 32) ms). Intra-individual variability on CRT significantly improved from before (111·4 (sd 60·5) ms) to after exercise (81·85 (sd 43·1) ms) following guarana supplementation, and no differences were observed for caffeine and placebo (P > 0·05). Alertness scores significantly improved following guarana supplementation (63·3 (sd 13·8)) in comparison with placebo (57·4 (sd 13·4), P = 0·014) but not caffeine (61·2 (sd 12·8)). There were no changes to V̇O2max, immediate word recall or any other Bond-Lader mood scales. Guarana supplementation appears to impact several parameters of cognition. These results support the use of guarana supplementation to possibly maintain speed of attention immediately following a maximal intensity exercise test (V̇O2max).

Research Insights

  • guarana→Improved Attention Span

    Alertness scores significantly improved following guarana supplementation (63·3 (sd 13·8)) in comparison with placebo (57·4 (sd 13·4), P = 0·014)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    125 mg/kg
  • guarana→Improved Choice Reaction Time

    Guarana supplementation decreased CRT before exercise (407 (sd 45) ms) in comparison with placebo (421 (sd 46) ms, P = 0·030)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    125 mg/kg
  • guarana→Improved Immediate Word Recall

    There were no changes to ... immediate word recall

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    125 mg/kg
  • guarana→Improved Maximal Oxygen Uptake

    There were no changes to V̇O2max

    Effect
    Neutral
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    125 mg/kg
  • guarana→Improved Simple Reaction Time

    SRT after exercise decreased following guarana supplementation (306 (sd 28) ms) in comparison with placebo (323 (sd 32) ms, P = 0·003)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    125 mg/kg
  • guarana→Reduced Choice Reaction Time Variability

    Intra-individual variability on CRT significantly improved from before (111·4 (sd 60·5) ms) to after exercise (81·85 (sd 43·1) ms) following guarana supplementation

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    125 mg/kg
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