Bitter kola, also known as bitter cola or Garcinia Kola, is a plant majorly found in Central and Western Africa and is valued for its medicinal properties and benefits. Although traditionally in Africa, medicine are made out of Bitter Kola plant, the seeds are mostly commonly eaten. There are alot of health benefits of bitter kola that are still unknown to alot of people.
The nut comes from the evergreen kola tree, originally found in the rainforests of Africa. Inside the tree’s star-shaped fruits are white shells, which contain the seeds or kola nuts.
Bitter kola seeds have a sharp, very bitter flavor that changes to slight sweetness while chewing, and this kola is typically eaten by itself(raw).
Amazing facts about kola nut
1. The nut is relatively large, and is about the size of a chestnut.
2. The kola nut has a bitter taste but becomes sweeter, as it is chewed.
3. The kola nut is beneficial for certain health conditions/complications.
4. Whether taken in supplement form or chewed, kola nuts can have certain side effects.
Nutrients contained in bitter kola
kola is high in the following nutrients:
1 Carbohydrates
2 Fat
3 Protein
4 Vitamin C
5 Calcium
6 Potassium
7 Iron
8 Caffeine
Health benefits of bitter kola
Over the years, bitter kola has been said to have certain nutrients that fights so many sicknesses and diseases
Some sickness which can be treated using bitter kola is stated below.
1. Infections
Bitter kola is used over the years to fight infections from the common cold to hepatitis. Eating bitter kola before and after an infection starts may help fight against them and make you recover quickly.
2.Inflammation
Bitter kola seeds are commonly known to be chewed on in Africa to fight against and prevent inflammatory conditions like arthritis. The high levels of potassium in bitter kola may be a contributing factor in reducing inflammation.
3.Diabetes
Early studies suggest that a chemical called kolaviron, which is found in bitter kola, may protect against hypoglycemia in people with type 2 diabetes.
4.Treatment of impotence
Research shows, that garcinia kola (severe kola), makes love potion impacts (causes or increments sexual craving) in male, and as such is utilized in the treatment of impotence.
5.Osteoarthritis
Bitter kola is seen as a potential osteoarthritis sickness action transformant with a high possibility of a decent result. It helps in the decrease of irritation, torment, and, resolute joints. The underlying driver of joint inflammation and disappointing torment might be a joint injury, heftiness, maturing or it could be genetic. Consequently, the utilization of this inexplicable plant assist with covering this large number of issues and fix them of its foundations.
6.Lung wellness
Garcinia kola contains saponin which is a cell reinforcement. It has detoxifying and purging impacts. This proceeds to work on the capacity of the lungs by growing the alveolar channels and sacs, and thusly, reinforces the fiber in the tissue of the lungs. It has well high cell reinforcement content for a solid body.
7.Safe Pregnancy
Bitter kola in spite of what some might accept, really is supposedly useful and valuable in and for pregnant ladies, as it helps in fighting queasiness and retching, making the uterus better, supplies solidarity to the hopeful mother and standardizes flow of blood.
8.Treating malaria
Bitter kola is accepted to have compound properties that permit it to be an antimalarial impetus. It contains Kolaviron which is a characteristic cell reinforcement and mitigating phytochemical, which has high antimalarial properties.
9.Weight reduction
Bitter kola has a characteristic yearning suppressant and an extraordinary thirst stimulator, and as such assists with diminishing weight reduction, as a decreased admission of food and an enormous admission of water is required by the body to dispose of overabundance fat and remain solid.
10.Counteraction from glaucoma
It is demonstrated by a gathering of scientists, that steady and predictable utilization of an eye drop produced using a concentrate of garcinia kola can assist with treating glaucoma.
11.Cold and fever cure
By having the capacity to amplify the alveolar sac and pipe, Bitter kola gives alleviation to chest cold and proceeds to forestall cold.
Other health benefits of the bitter kola include:
1.Prostate cancer
Although extensive research have not been conducted, early research proves and shows that certain compounds found in the kola nut may decrease the risk of prostate cancer.
The research is still being debated, but it is thought that the phytoestrogens in kola nuts may kill cancer cells and stop tumors from growing.
2.Slow metabolism
People with a slow metabolism could benefit highly from using products that contain kola nut.Examination Malpractice and the Appropriate Authority to try and Discipline Student
Conditions that may affect a person’s metabolism include low testosterone, Graves’ disease, and Cushing syndrome.
3.Migraines
The kola nut can be helpful for people who have migraine headaches. Migraines often affect the blood vessels in the head and caffeine has been used to subside headache pain.
The theobromine and caffeine contained in the kola nut may dilate or widen blood vessels in the brain, which might decrease migraine pain.
4.Asthma
Although it may not be recommended as a treatment for respiratory conditions, kola nuts might be useful for people with certain breathing problems, such as asthma.
The caffeine in kola nuts may act as a bronchodilator, which means it opens the airways to make breathing
Side effects of bitter kola
In as much as bitter kola has health benefits it also has its side effect especially when consumed excessively
The side effects of bitter kola extract parallel the effects of a comparable dose of caffeine.Health and wellness industry
Side effects include:
1.Mouth cancer
Bitter kola can bring about mouth cancer. According to researches, chewing kola nuts can lead to mouth or gastrointestinal cancer.
2.Excess caffeine
Bitter kola contains quite a number of caffeine, therefore eating too much of this product can be quite unhealthy. So you should be careful with the amount of nuts being taken. The product can be especially dangerous for people with cardio problems.
3.Glaucoma
Bitter kola can lead to glaucoma. An excessive amount of bitter kola nuts can be harmful. But if you eat a small number of nuts, it can prevent glaucoma.
4.Not good for diabetic patients
Bitter kola has no benefits for those who suffer from diabetes. It is another one among the side effects of bitter kola related to the presence of caffeine in the product. Caffeine can lead to an incorrect sugar level in your body, so it is better to be careful with this product
Bitter kola has great health benefits and at the same it is advisable not take much of it or abuse it cause the side effects might end up districting the body system.