The caffeine in our gummies is derived from the Guarana plant (Paullinia cupana), a Brazilian plant that is native to the Amazon. Guarana has been used by Amazonian tribes for its health benefits for centuries, and today you might recognise guarana more commonly in the form of energy drinks! In the same way we extract coffee beans from the Coffea plant, Guarana seeds contain numerous stimulants and antioxidants which are known for their therapeutic properties (4).

Guarana seeds contain approximately four times the amount of caffeine found in coffee beans, making them a stimulant and nootropic! (1). Nootropics are natural substances which improve your overall cognition and nervous system function! (5) Caffeine is key in enhancing your mental and athletic performance, by increasing focus, memory, attention and energy! (2). Guarana also contains other stimulant molecules like tannins, catechins and saponins which have synergistic interactions and may heighten its stimulant effect (1). More importantly, the tannins in guarana cause the caffeine to release more slowly, meaning you'll have a steady, long lasting effect of energy and without the caffeine crash! (6).

Additionally, antioxidants are substances that protect your body against free radicals, which are unstable atoms produced by normal cell metabolism, that are linked to causing damage to cells in your body, ageing and illness (3). Antioxidants neutralise these harmful substances by binding to them and preventing them from wreaking havoc (3). Overall, studies have demonstrated that Guarana has a multitude of health benefits such as anti-inflammatory properties, anti-obesity effects, antidepressant and anti-cancer effects (2).

L-Tyrosine is often used as a dietary supplement by athletes due to its potential benefits in supporting physical and cognitive performance. Here are some ways L-Tyrosine may be beneficial for athletes (7-9):

Stress Reduction and Cognitive Performance: Intense physical training and competition can lead to increased stress and mental fatigue. L-Tyrosine is a precursor to neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine, which play a role in cognitive function and mood regulation. Supplementing with L-Tyrosine may help reduce the impact of stress on the brain and support cognitive performance, including focus, alertness, and decision-making under pressure.

 Improved Exercise Performance: L-Tyrosine's potential to enhance cognitive function may indirectly benefit physical performance. By reducing mental fatigue and maintaining focus, athletes may be able to sustain higher levels of effort and intensity during training and competition.

 Support for Prolonged Exercise: Endurance athletes, in particular, may benefit from L-Tyrosine supplementation during prolonged exercise sessions. As fatigue sets in, the body's demand for neurotransmitters increases, potentially leading to decreased cognitive function. L-Tyrosine supplementation may help maintain these neurotransmitter levels and delay mental fatigue, allowing athletes to perform better during extended endurance activities.

Muscle Protein Synthesis: As an amino acid, L-Tyrosine is involved in protein synthesis. Adequate protein synthesis is crucial for muscle repair and recovery after intense exercise, which is essential for athletes looking to improve performance.

 Thermogenesis and Fat Loss: There is some evidence to suggest that L-Tyrosine may be involved in the regulation of thermogenesis (heat production) and fat metabolism, potentially making it beneficial for athletes aiming to reduce body fat while preserving muscle mass.

Vitamin B3, B6, B12

The vitamin B group are water-soluble vitamins which are vital to our cellular health and everyday functioning (14). Vitamin B6 (pyroxidine) and B12 (cycanocobalamin) are essential vitamins that cannot be made naturally by the body meaning their ingestion is crucial however, B3 (niacin) can be made from its precursor tryptophan (14). Because they are water soluble, our body has no means for storing these vitamins for later use meaning we have to consume them on a regular basis (except for b12 which is able to be stored in the liver) (14).

Vitamin B3 or Niacin in the body becomes a vital coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) (12). Over 400 other enzymes in the body are dependent on NAD for various reactions such as creating adenosine triphosphate (ATP), DNA repair and replication, antioxidant interactions and synthesis of cholesterol and fatty acids (13).

Similarly, Vitamin B6 or pyroxidine also acts as a coenzyme in the body, assisting in biochemical reactions between other enzymes and substrates in processes such as digestion of protein, carbohydrates and fats, regulating glycogen and red blood cells (11). Infact, the more protein you eat, the more pyridoxine your body requires to break it down properly into amino acids and fuel (13).

Lastly Vitamin B12 or cobalamin’s main role is in assisting the function of our central and peripheral nervous system both in its growth and efficiency, as well as synthesis of red blood cells and DNA. (10) Having a deficiency in B12 may lead to an increased risk in anemia and neurological changes (10).

Vitamin D

VItamin D3 Cholecalciferol is a part of the fat-soluble Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium which has direct effects on bone growth, repair and remodelling as well as regulation of muscle contraction and immune function (15). Whilst our body can make vitamin D, if you arent getting enough sun exposure or eating a diverse diet you can easily be at risk of deficiency! A deficiency in vitamin D often manifests as weak or brittle bones, muscle twitching and muscle weakness and fatigue (15).

Vitamin A

Vitamin A (retinol) is a fat-soluble essential vitamin that we need to uptake in our diet (17). Eating vitamin A supports eye health, cellular function, development and replication, maintaining the mucous barriers of our body to pathogens, and production of white blood cells (16).

1. D. Moustakas et al., Guarana provides additional stimulation over caffeine alone in the Planarian model. PLOS ONE. 10 (2015), doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0123310.

2. E. A. Torres et al., Effects of the consumption of Guarana on Human Health: A Narrative Review. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. 21, 272–295 (2021).

3. M. Valko et al., Free radicals and antioxidants in normal physiological functions and human disease. The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology. 39, 44–84 (2007).

4. L. S. Bittencourt et al., The protective effects of Guaraná extract (Paullinia Cupana) on fibroblast nih-3t3 cells exposed to sodium nitroprusside. Food and Chemical Toxicology. 53, 119–125 (2013).

5. M. Malík, P. Tlustoš, Nootropics as cognitive enhancers: Types, dosage and side effects of smart drugs. Nutrients. 14, 3367 (2022).

6. Guarana: Effects, dosage, side effects. VitaminExpress (2022), (available at https://www.vitaminexpress.org/en/guarana-information).

7. R. Jill Corleone, The health benefits of tyrosine. Verywell Fit (2022), (available at https://www.verywellfit.com/the-benefits-of-tyrosine-89523).

8. Australian Institute of Sport, Tyrosine (2021), (available at https://www.ais.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/1000420/36182_Supplements-fact-sheets_Tyrosine-v3.pdf).

9. N. English, The truth about tyrosine, the pre workout ingredient for “focus.” BarBend (2023), (available at https://barbend.com/tyrosine-benefits/).

10. Office of dietary supplements - vitamin B12. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (2022), (available at https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB12-HealthProfessional/).

11. Office of dietary supplements - vitamin B6. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (2023), (available at https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB6-HealthProfessional/).

12. Niacin – vitamin B3. The Nutrition Source (2023), (available at https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/niacin-vitamin-b3/).

13. Office of dietary supplements - niacin. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (2022), (available at https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Niacin-HealthProfessional/).

14. S. Manetti, Vitamins: Medlineplus medical encyclopedia. MedlinePlus (2023), (available at https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002399.htm#:~:text=The%20four%20fat%2Dsoluble%20vitamins,and%20all%20the%20B%20vitamins).

15. Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3): Medlineplus Drug Information. MedlinePlus (2020), (available at https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a620058.html).

16. Office of dietary supplements - vitamin A and carotenoids. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (2022), (available at https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminA-HealthProfessional/#en24).

17. Vitamin A. The Nutrition Source (2023), (available at https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-a/).