Antioxidant capacity of guayusa, yerba mate, green tea - Orac value

G uayusa is one of the plants with the highest levels of antioxidants. The so-called ORAC value is far above that of grape seed flour, raw cocoa powder and green tea.

This article focuses primarily on a scientific analysis in which the antioxidant capacity of the ingredients of guayusa was examined. This analysis, and subsequently this article, compares guayusa with yerba mate and green tea, among other things. For example, you will find out which antioxidants were found and how high the ORAC value is. Finally, you will learn about the possible properties of antioxidants on the body.

If you want to find out more about antioxidants in general, read the article What are antioxidants? – Guayusa, the “ORAC” miracle! “. Here you can find out what the ORAC value is, why free radicals can be so dangerous and what the role of antioxidants is.

The antioxidant miracle from the Amazon

The statements made in this article are based on our own laboratory analyzes and above all on the newly published scientific article "Guayusa (Ilex guayusa L.) new tea: phenolic and carotenoid composition and antioxidant capacity". ¹ Here Guayusa was examined very closely for carotenoids, phenols and the associated flavonoids.

A total of 14 different polyphenols were identified, including 5 flavonoids and 5 carotenoids. The results were then compared to levels from other plants such as the tea plant and yerba mate.

Guayusa is therefore considered a true antioxidant miracle!

What are polyphenols, flavonoids and carotenoids?

All three belong to the group of secondary plant substances and are therefore combined with some other substances as antioxidants. With small differences, they all have a similarly positive effect on our organism.

Polyphenols are said to protect proteins and DNA from oxidative damage and have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, digestive, anticancer and antihypertensive properties. ¹

Flavonoids belong to the group of polyphenols and inhibit e.g. B. LDL oxidation, which is crucial for the development of arteriosclerosis. ¹

Carotenoids play an important role in nutrition as they act as protective substances to prevent diet-related diseases such as cancer and atherosclerosis. Most carotenoids are present as provitamin A, i.e. the precursor of vitamin A. ¹

Antioxidant comparison of guayusa with tea and yerba mate

From the analysis in the cited study, it became clear that hydroxycinnamic acid is the predominant component of the polyphenols in guayusa at 85%. Chlorogenic acid, which is a compound of caffeic acid and quinic acid, stands out as a component of hydroxycinnamic acid. At 24.1 mg/g, the chlorogenic acid in guayusa is significantly higher than in black tea (0.5 mg/g) and green tea (0.2 mg/g).

At 11 mg/g, the concentration of flavonoids is between 2 and 28 times higher than in yerba mate and approx. 27 times higher than in green tea. Among the flavonoids, quercetin is the most abundant flavonoid found in guayusa. Quercetin is considered to be antiviral, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic and anti-inflammatory.

Another factor in Guayusa's antioxidant capacity are carotenoids. The carotenoid lutein was identified as the main carotenoid. It is best known from carrots and broccoli. It has been of increasing interest for some time as it may have a protective effect in certain forms of eye diseases. ² Compared to carrots, guayusa has approximately 62 times the concentration of lutein.

Lutein cannot be made by the body and must therefore be ingested through food. Improved absorption takes place in conjunction with fat. ³

Other carotenoids in Guayusa are a-carotenoids, ß-carotenoids, violaxanthin & neoxanthin. A report by the University of Vienna shows that carotenoids have an inhibitory effect on mutagenesis and prevent damage to the cell nucleus and light-induced tumors. In addition, the carotenoids are said to have a generally very immune-stimulating effect. The report also shows research data on carotenoids in fruits and vegetables. A red grapefruit, for example, has about 3.5 mg/100g. Guayusa, on the other hand, has around 46 mg/100g more than 10 times as many carotenoids as grapefruit. ⁴

If you want to learn more about the individual antioxidants, you can read our second article.

Antioxidant capacity - comparison of guayusa, tea and yerba mate

Would you like to learn more about Guayusa?

Ingredients and effects of Guayusa

The ORAC value of Guayusa

The antioxidant capacity, i.e. the ability of a food to neutralize free radicals, can be described by the ORAC value. The value is usually given in Trolox per 100g and is a reference value. You can read more about this in our article “What are antioxidants? – Guayusa, the “ORAC” miracle!” read. There you will also find a table with ORAC values ​​for various foods.

Here are four selected foods and their ORAC values: ^5.6

• Guayusa has an ORAC value of around 127,000 µmol TE/100g
  
• Grape seed flour has an ORAC value of approx. 100,000 µmol TE/100g
  
• Green tea has an ORAC value of around 62,000 µmol TE/100g
  
• Coffee has an ORAC value of approx. 8,800 µmol TE/100g
  

Conclusion

Guayusa has been drunk by indigenous peoples from the Amazon for thousands of years for a reason. Aware of capacity, the Kichwa Indians wisely drink Guayusa right after they wake up, before hunting and before arduous labor.

For all athletes among the readers, here is the appeal: "Replace your energy drink with guayusa and use its natural energy!"

Guayusa cannot be limited to just one or two ingredients. The whole interaction has to be seen. Caffeine and L-Theanine are key factors in Guayusa's effects. However, they would probably not be as effective if the numerous other ingredients such as antioxidants were missing.

Guayusa is not only very well suited as a natural alternative to coffee and energy drinks, but thanks to its extremely high content of polyphenols and carotenoids it is also much more.

Additive:

The component lution present in guayusa is said to have an absorbing effect of blue light in the retina. ³ This would in turn lead to less of the neurotransmitter melatonin being released in the brain. Melatonin is a hormone that is released at night and makes you tired. The antioxidant capacity of guayusa is therefore an exciting topic in many respects.

Curious about Guayusa?

100% Guayusa tea without additives from GUYA from purely organic cultivation - secure your package and convince yourself of the taste and the special effect!

Sources:
1. https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/56943/Pardau_Antioxidants_2016.pdf
2. https://www.klinikum-karlsruhe.de/fileadmin/Redaktion/Augenklinik/pdf/Vortrag_Lutein_Aug_2004-10.pdf
3. https://www.pro-retina.de/forschungsfoerderung/scientific-advisory-groups/recommendations/lutein-und-zeaxanthin
4. Kopitar, Eva-Maria (2009) Changes in the sensory properties and carotenoid content of apricots after processing (drying). Diploma thesis, University of Vienna. Faculty of Life Sciences
5. Guayusa (Ilex guayusa L.) new tea: phenolic and carotenoid composition and antioxidant capacity
6. http://orac-info-portal.de/