DEAR DR. BLONZ: Is guarana better than caffeine, and is it habit-forming? My religious beliefs recommend that I keep away from caffeine. I am 67 years old and retired. Even after a good night's sleep, I suffer from tiredness as soon as I wake, as well as lower leg aches. -- M.J., Provo, Utah
DEAR M.J.: Guarana, in essence, is caffeine. The active ingredient might go under the name "guaranine," but that is just another name for caffeine. Guarana comes from a paste made from the crushed seeds of a woody shrub native to the Amazon region. Caffeine (guaranine), which belongs to the alkaloid family, is the principal active ingredient in guarana. There is a higher concentration of caffeine in guarana than in the coffee bean, the kola nut or cacao (cocoa). Guarana also contain trace amounts of other alkaloid compounds, most notably theophylline and theobromine.
Caffeine, regardless of source, can produce tolerance, psychological dependence and habituation when consumed on a regular basis. Withdrawal symptoms, including headache, drowsiness and fatigue, can occur when intake is stopped abruptly. Interestingly enough, abstinence from caffeine is a very common cause of headaches after one has gone through surgery, as presurgical routines usually require that one stop caffeine. One study published in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings found it beneficial to give a small amount of caffeine intravenously to patients undergoing outpatient surgery who were at risk for caffeine-withdrawal headaches.
Leg aches can be brought about by any of a number of situations. It may be that you would benefit from stretching and flexibility exercises, or there may be some specific medications or even herbs to try. It could even be the bed you sleep on. You need to find out whether there is anything medical going on before you begin looking for methods -- or substances -- to provide relief.
DEAR DR. BLONZ: Please explain the origin of carnauba wax. I find it on candied almonds and other foods. Does it represent a concern as a food additive? -- N.N., Pinole, Calif.
DEAR N.N.: Carnauba wax comes from the leaves of the South American wax palm. It is used as a wax or a glaze and it has "GRAS" status (generally regarded as safe). It is one of a number of such compounds used in foods. Aside from carnauba, there are the oil-based compounds petrolatum and paraffin. Shellac, another commonly used wax, comes from an Asian insect and is also used on candies, jewelry and floor waxes. Carnauba is also used in car wax.
Waxes are applied to hard-coated confections, such as candied chocolates and almonds, but they are also used with produce, including tomatoes, apples, bell peppers, avocados, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, all citrus fruits, peaches, pumpkins, eggplants, squash and nuts in hard shells. In produce, waxes are applied to retain moisture, limit flavor loss and enhance appearance. Waxes are not considered harmful and are only used in small amounts. For example, The Center for Produce Quality estimates that one pound of wax will cover 160,000 pieces of fruit or vegetables.
Send questions to: "On Nutrition," Ed Blonz, c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO, 64106. Send email inquiries to questions@blonz.com. Due to the volume of mail, personal replies cannot be provided.