Plant-based brain support using proven superfoods.

Guarana has been tested for its overall benefit to mood and anxiety. Human studies looked at the seeds ability to improve feelings of alertness and contentment. In a double-blind study, people using moderate amounts of guarana throughout the day reported feeling significantly more mentally alert and content using the Bond-Lader Mood Scale (1). Early stage laboratory research indicates that guarana may offer anti-depressive benefits, although the mechanisms and effects are still unknown (3).

In a double-blind study, guarana has been shown to improve memory, attention and overall cognitive performance (1). Guarana also helps you stay focused and sharp when you have to work on complex, and mentally draining problems. Additional studies show that mental performance improved when having to focus over extended periods of time (2).

Guarana has been used for centuries as a natural source of energy. In its whole form, there is far less caffeine than most of us assume (in a Voke tablet, guarana provides 2 mg). It has been shown to increase energy while not affecting sleep, though research on this is limited (6). Guarana has been widely tested to aid physical and mental fatigue, and in combination with vitamins and minerals has shown the ability to reduce fatigue during periods of sustained demand (2). It also contains several natural antioxidants for overall physical support.

Acerola is one the most concentrated natural sources of the antioxidant Vitamin C, with about 50X more than a typical orange (1). Vitamin C helps your body produce white blood cells, which are the body’s primary defense against foreign agents and pathogens (2). Vitamin C is also an essential part of producing certain tissue components such as collagen and ceramide, which are important in the health and repair of tissues such as the skin and blood vessels (3).

Acerola is a rich source of beneficial nutrients. In addition to vitamin C, acerola contains several vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, Riboflavin (B2), Folate (B9) and Potassium. It also provides over a dozen types of Flavonoids such as Quercetin, Kaempferol and Luteolin (1).

Research has begun to show that acerola may be a useful anti-inflammatory, helping bodies recover after activity. Scientific studies have shown that anthocyanins in the cherries act like anti-inflammatory drugs by blocking the actions of enzymes cyclooxygenase-1 and 2 (5,6). Additionally, in laboratory tests, the phytochemicals present in acerola have shown an ability to work as an anti-inflammatory (4).

Nitric oxide is vital to almost every organ in the body, including your heart. While some products promote themselves as containing nitric oxide, they actually contain nitrate. The body has two ways it can make nitric oxide, and one is through the stomach by eating foods rich in nitrates. Adding more dietary nitrate into your diet may increase nitric oxide, and provide benefits characterized by insufficient NO.
Red Beetroot is an excellent source of nitrate, with research showing almost 100% of the nitrate in beetroot is bio-available after swallowing in tablet form (1). Dietary nitrate can be converted in the body to nitric oxide (NO), a signaling molecule with essential roles in the cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems.

Increasing nitrates, which are found in Beetroot, in daily diet has been linked to improved cognitive function as a protective agent that enhances blood flow to the brain (2). The nitrates in the beetroot stimulate the part of the brain responsible for working memory and task switching performance (2). Beetroot is a leading source of betalaine, or N-trimethyl glycine, a dietary nutrient that is found naturally in vegetables, such as beets, spinach, and wheat bran. A study published in Neurochemical Research in 2017 revealed that consuming dietary betalaine actually affected the level of osmolytes in the hippocampus, especially during stress, which aided in neuroprotection (4).

Beets are packed with benefits for your body and your brain. The presence of nitrates, folate, and betalains all combined together in one vegetable making it a brain superfood. Beetroot also provides a range of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A and iron. What makes a beet red? Bioactive pigments called betalains. These and other bioactive agents have also been shown to be potent antioxidants – collectively far better than other sources such as carrots, tomatoes, oranges and pineapples (1). Beetroot is a rich source of antioxidant compounds, with research showing antioxidants to be a beneficial protective agent against oxidative-stress (5).

It may make you sharper both short and long-term. In several studies, taking small amounts of caffeine (less than 200mg) has shown an improvement on mental tasks (1). Double-blind studies from Johns Hopkins also found that caffeine helped with memory long-term (2). Research has also shown that caffeine helps with general coordination issues, and other mental agility issues (3, 5). Additionally, daily use of caffeine was linked to improvements in both physical and mental alertness and reaction times (2, 5).

When taken in small doses (under 150mg), caffeine use has been reported to improve mood. Caffeine reaches its peak mood benefit after about 40 minutes, and lasts approximately four hours. In a double-blind study looking at the effect of caffeine, participants reported a significant improvement to feelings of mental alertness and overall contentment, based on the Bond-Lader Mood Scale (8).

Caffeine has been shown to aid with fitness and health in several ways. In addition to improving available energy while exercising, studies have shown that athletes burned up to 15% more calories for three hours after exercise after taking a small amount of caffeine than those who did not (6). Small daily amounts of caffeine also help you keep exercising (4). Taking caffeine one hour before a workout may reduce the perception of muscle pain, maintaining extended workouts especially when sore. Also, when paired with anti-inflammatory agents it has been shown as an optimal way to reduce pain (7).