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Last week, I had a doctor's appointment. I dropped by a coffee shop on my way. While I drank my coffee, the line grew to 20 good-looking Canadians appearing to be stressed out. It made me think about the way we cope with our energy crisis. So I looked for other "fixes." The internet revealed 12 energy drinks with caffeine derived from decaffeination. All of them contain Guarana. I tried three drinks that I will not identify because I want to focus on their contents.

Brand A contains Guarana and Juniperberry. Guarana is a small tree native to Venezuela and Brazil whose seed is a central nervous system stimulant that produces heat within the body. It increases memory retention while reducing stress. Juniperberry helps clear the mind. This brand has 100% Vitamin C and 130 calories. I sensed a gradual rise in my energy level that was calming. Guarana is not to be mixed with ephedrine. Juniperberry is not to be taken by people with kidney disease and may cause skin irritation.

Brand B contains Guarana, Taurine and Ginseng. Taurine is a non-essential amino acid in the body that helps people deal with anxiety. Ginseng is a root native to Asia and North America which promotes relaxation. Although it made me uptight(since nervousness is a side effect), I slept well. Ginseng is not recommended for women with breast cancer or people who have chronic gastrointestinal diseases. Taurine is manufactured within the body and can also be found in meat and fish. Taurine is not be mixed with high intake of alcohol because the body may not be able to use it fully.

Brand C contains Guarana, Taurine and Gingko Biloba. The gingko tree is the sole survivor of the oldest species of the world's living trees and increases circulation to the brain. I had unusual stamina within two hours of taking it. Although I was able to focus better on my work, it was hard to get to sleep. Brand C should not be used by people taking blood lowering medications or aspiring daily. All three brands are not recommended for children, preganant women or nursing mothers, those who are caffeine sensitive or drink alcohol. Beer drinkers should check: http://en.wikepedia.org/wiki/Guarana to find out which two beers contain Guarana.

On this cheerful note, I realize that the brand that works best for another person may not necessarily work as well for me. The reason is that the benefits and cautions that go with each one are not the same. My body is the one that I need to listen to and it has sent me a clear message. No matter how dynamic the packaging is, the way a product makes you feel counts more! The smell of a yellow rose is as fragrant as a red one.