Discover Guayusa: A Naturally Energizing Plant
Watt Water® drinks contain Guayusa, a naturally energizing plant cherished by indigenous tribes of the Amazon for centuries. With its smooth, earthy, and slightly sweet taste, Guayusa plants and their leaves have been cultivated for hundreds of years by local communities in Ecuador, Colombia and Peru. Whether chewed, cooked or boiled, the consumption of Guayusa leaves has played a vital role in helping different indigenous tribes thrive in the Amazon jungle. The plant's sustained energy properties have provided these tribes with stamina and focus, making it a crucial part of their indigenous way of life.
History and Background
Guayusa’s use among indigenous tribes of the Amazon was first reported in 1800s by the explorer and botanist, Richard Spruce. Guayusa holds important cultural significance for Amazonian communities, becoming a central element of local cultural identity and lifestyle of different tribes in the Amazon. Guayusa is said to have important medical properties, having been cited as a medicinal plant more often than any other plant among indigenous tribes. The plant is regularly consumed during communal gatherings, ceremonies, and shared moments, fostering a sense of unity, spirituality and wellbeing among tribe members.
Powerful Effects on Hunters
For centuries, indigenous hunters have relied on Guayusa for its powerful and long-lasting energizing effects. Consumed before and during hunting expeditions, Guayusa plants enable tribesmen to maintain themselves at their best, staying awake for extended periods without losing consciousness. This remarkable plant preserves mental alertness and enhances physical performance during their challenging expeditions to protect against the dangers of the Amazon rainforest. Some historical reports suggest it improves decision-making, inspiring or deterring tribesmen from advancing in their hunting expeditions.
Ecological Cultivation and Preparation
Guayusa is cultivated in the fertile agricultural fields of the Amazonian forest. Guayusa extract is a product of indigenous organic agriculture. Local farmers of the western Amazon grow Guayusa plants without the use of fertilizers, pesticides or other toxic chemicals. Once the Guayusa plants reach maturity after three years, their leaves are manually picked by farmers without the use of heavy industrial machinery. Guayusa leaves are cleaned to remove agricultural impurities, rested to wither and slowly ferment, then dried and dehydrated. The leaves are mechanically macerated to create a powder in Watt Water® drinks.
Scientific Evidence: The Energizing Power of Guayusa
Modern scientific studies of Guayusa have provided new clinical evidence to support the historical anecdotes about its mental and physical benefits. Guayusa has a higher caffeine content than tea and the same caffeine content as instant coffee. However, the biological composition of Guayusa sets it apart from traditional sources like tea or coffee. While caffeine is naturally present in many plants, Guayusa contains a unique blend of different natural compounds that help contribute to better energy, alertness and endurance.
Energy without Crashing
Guayusa contains a unique blend of xanthine alkaloids, including caffeine, theobromine, L-theanine and paraxanthine. These compounds work synergistically with caffeine to provide a different type of energy and focus. This combination contributes to the plant providing a consistent boost without the sudden spikes and crashes that can occur with other caffeinated beverages. Guayusa enables Watt Water® to provide maximum energy and mental stimulation with minimum anxiety, agitation and crashes that are commonly associated with synthetic caffeine available in other products.
Sustained Endurance
Guayusa offers a naturally slow-releasing caffeine, which means it is gradually absorbed by the body. This steady release of caffeine is attributed to Guayusa's specific blend of xanthine alkaloids, which slows down the breakdown of caffeine in the bloodstream. This offers more stimulation over a longer period of time. Through slow and sustained caffeine release in the body, Watt Water® can help you stay vigilant and focused for longer periods of time.
Relaxed Alertness
Guayusa is believed to sharpen cognitive functions. This cognitive enhancement is largely attributed to the combination of caffeine and L-theanine found in Guayusa. The combination of caffeine and L-theanine contributes to enhanced cognitive function and mood regulation. L-theanine is an amino acid that has calming and focusing effects, complementing the stimulating properties of caffeine and promoting a state of more relaxed alertness.
Untapped Potential: Guayusa Health Benefits
In addition to its energizing effects on the mind and body, new studies are showing that Guayusa may have important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Guayusa contains an abundance of compounds and properties that are associated with a range of potential health benefits. While further clinical research is required to validate these claims, Guayusa remains a source of untapped potential, providing an safe new alternative to synthetic caffeine and other stimulants available on the market.
Antioxidant Properties
Modern research suggests that Guayusa may possess antioxidant properties. Guayusa contains an abundance of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols which possess powerful antioxidant properties. Other antioxidant compounds found in guayusa leaves include catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid, and neochlorogenic acid. These compounds help support overall cellular health in the body. While clinical trials are necessary to confirm the antioxidant activities of Guayusa, early scientific studies are promising.
Other Health Benefits
Other scientific studies suggest guayusa may offer additional cognitive benefits that have an effect on the regulation of mood and motivation, increase of flexible thinking, working memory, planning and prioritizing, task initiation, and organization. While scientific research is ongoing, historical anecdotes from indigenous tribes suggest that that Guayusa may contribute to good oral hygiene, kidney function, weight loss, fertility and much more. While further scientific research is required to verify these anecdotal claims, no wonder indigenous tribes across the Amazon considered Guayusa a “magical drink”.
