Health Benefits Of Bitter Kola: In the grand journey to finding good health, many turn blind eyes to nature because a lot think it is not in “vogue” or even think of it as “barbaric”. We fail to understand that some of the greatest things in life are just a stone throw away from us and we don’t have to travel to the ends of the earth in search of them. One of the most beautiful things about nature is; no matter how small they seem, they add up something to life. Others feed the eyes, while others do not only feed humans but go as far as adding the value of health to us.
In the world of today where diseases, viruses, and other health issues are gradually creeping in, finding good health has become one of the most expensive of commodities. Who and what do you trust to give you a better health? This is the foremost reason for this article.
One of Africa’s blessings as it is known to have several health benefits; Garcinia which is also known as bitter kola belongs to the species of a tropical flowering plant. It has a brown nut-like seed which is about 3-5 centimeter length and a deep brown peel. This plant has proven to have several health benefits to humanity.
Here are Some Health Benefits Of Bitter Kola
1. MALARIA
Thousands of years ago, bitter kola was known for treating malaria in traditional medicine. Fortunately, the nut has not lost its God’s given power over the plasmodium virus as it is still used by many to treat malaria.
The powerful kolaviro phytochemical and quinine property in bitter kola is said to have an effect on malaria.
2. KOLA AND LUNG FUNCTIONS
Saddled with the responsibility of breathing, the lung is one of the important organs of the human body and should be cared for. The caffeine in it acts as bronchodilator thereby helps to strengthen the fibers and lung tissue and opening the airways to make breathing easier and as well protecting it from infections and diseases. Studies have shown that the intake of bitter kola can make you stay away from the doctor as it not only increases the functionality of the lung but treats respiratory infections such as; colds, sneezing and coughs amongst other.
3. GLAUCOMA
When used daily, it has been discovered that the kola nut reduces pressure on the eye. This pressure causes disease of the optic nerve known as glaucoma. In a Nigerian research, it has been deduced that 0.5 percent extract of the nut was used to produce an eye drop which shows its effectiveness of the optic disease. In as much as it can be taken orally, the nut is more effective when used as eye drop to cleanse and reduce pressure on the eye.
4. BITTER KOLA AND WEIGHT LOSS
We have been told that exercise and a few offhand remedies work for overweight and people suffering from obesity, but Mother Nature reminds us of an earthy, affordable and healthy means of combating this. Bitter kola known as a hunger suppressant, serves by increasing thirst consequently leading to high intake of water, that purges and detoxifies our system leading to much-anticipated weight loss.
5. BITTER KOLA AND MALE FERTILITY
Frequent intake of bitter kola is said to have a positive effect on men as it is believed to boost their performance in bed as in increases sex drive and also a remedy to impotency.
6. REMEDY AND OSTEOARTHRITIS
This is the form of arthritis that is majorly caused by aging, obesity or even joint injury. It causes pain and reduces the movement of the joint. Studies have shown that the bitter kola has contents that reduce the inflammation that comes with arthritis and also increases joint movement in people who suffer from this ailment.
7. BOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEM
Bitter Kola does not only treat diseases but boosts the immune system against life-threatening diseases. When consumed often, it is known to reduce the risk of developing meningitis, tuberculosis and recently, prof. Maurice Iwu has found out that the bitter kola is a remedy to the deadly Ebola virus.
8. ANTI-POISON
The saponin content found in bitter kola helps in cleansing the human body in case of food poisoning. When both the back and seed of the nut are consumed, it is said to detoxicate the body especially in case of food poisoning.
9. PROSTATE CANCER
Among the health benefits of bitter kola is that it is linked to the prevention and reduction in the chances of the risk of suffering from the dreaded prostate cancer, which a great number of men around the world suffer from. Though research is still ongoing on the validity of this claim, it has been proven that the nut possesses phytoestrogens which inhibits tumor growth as well as a fast killer for cancer cells.
10. MIGRAINE
Migraine, which has been popularly known as a source of discomfort in the lives both the young and old and has been quite the menace throughout generations has finally found of a lasting and relieving remedy. The quest for this much needed relieve led us back to traditional medicine and later proven by researchers that kola contains traces of caffeine and theobromine which has the ability to open up and widen affected blood vessels in the brain to reduce the pain.
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Aside from the health benefits attached to bitter kola. The clusiaceae plant contains a number of micronutrients attached to it as well. With about 2-3 percent of caffeine and 1-2 percent of theobromine, the plant stimulates the body when consumed. Surprisingly, the nut has a little content of calcium, vitamins, magnesium and potassium.
Since you now have a clue about the health benefits of bitter kola, you might be wondering what part of the plant to be consumed. The seed is the essential part of the nut and should be eaten. The brown peel is encouraged to be eaten in case of suspected food poisoning.
The plant does not only have health benefits to the internal organ but also the physical. The latex or gum can be applied to fresh wounds to hasten healing. The anti-parasitic property in the sap is used to cure skin diseases.
Despite the fact that bitter kola is important to the body and has a wide range of health benefits, the nut has quite a number of side effects. They include irregular heartbeat; nausea and stomach ache. When any of these side effects are noticed, the consumption of the nut should be stopped as they may be allergic to the kola.
In as much as the bitter is good for the body, when consumed in excess may lead to some of the above side effects of even more. It is advised that the nut should be consumed at most two per day. And if you think of the bitter taste will stop you from eating the wonder kola, think of the sweet health benefits attached to it and how it will do well by keeping you away from the doctor.
