Health Benefits of Bitter Kola
‘Nah I can’t eat it, it’s bitter as the name implies this is what we say when we are given Bitter kola to eat. The name itself could send chills down our spine. But do you know bitter kola has a plethora of health benefits?
Bitter kola, also known as bitter cola or Garcinia kola is a multi-purpose tree found mostly in the tropical rainforest region of central and west Africa.
Over the decades every part of the plant such as the (leaves, stem, seeds) has been used for medicinal purposes. The seeds of bitter Kola are mostly eaten by people in rural and urban populations. Often consumed to avoid and treat gastric problems. Bitter kola seeds have a sharp, bitter flavor that eases into a slight sweetness as you chew.
The fruit, seeds (Bitter kola nuts), and bark of the plant have been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat ailments from cough to fever. When consumed, bitter kola has many nutrients. Studies have shown that the plant is high in carbohydrates, fat, protein, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, iron, and caffeine.
Garcinia Kola has been proven to combat various health defects. Some of it include cough, bacterial, viral, infections, arthritis, and others due to its phytochemical constituents including oleoresins, tannis, saponins, alkaloids, kolaflavonne, 2-hydroxyflavonoids, garcinal tocotrienol, etc.
Health benefits of Bitter kola
There’s a piece of tremendous evidence that bioactive components of the seeds can serve as an alternative remedy. This can be used to deal with and cure severe illnesses, such as;
- Diabetes: The impact of Garcinia kola on diabetes is pretty astounding. Studies show that bitter kola can regulate blood sugar levels inside the blood with the aid of decreasing and normalizing it. Early studies suggest that a chemical referred to as kolaviron, which is discovered in bitter kola can also defend the body against hypoglycemia in humans with type 2 diabetes.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a condition of increased pressure within the eyeball, inflicting a gradual loss of sight. Glaucoma could result in everlasting blindness if left untreated. However, garcinia kola has been discovered to be a fantastic remedy for this illness. A study in the Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology showed that bitter kola is useful in reducing the pressure in the eye for newly diagnosed patients. The study then recommended eating Bitter kola at least twice a day to ease eye pressure.
- Infection: Phytochemicals in bitter kola such as tannis, saponins, flavonoids are antimicrobial. They can help destroy harmful bacteria in the body system. For this, grate bitter kola as many as you can. Soak it in dry gin for 2-3 days then drink 2 shots every day on an empty stomach first thing in the morning. Food can be consumed after about 1 hour of ingestion.
- Food poison: Bitter kola is anti-poisonous in nature. This is because it helps prevent bacterial contamination caused as a result of food poisoning. The bark and seed of Garcinia kola when eaten together facilitates the detoxing of the human system. This is especially in cases of food poisoning. It is advisable to chew bitter kola right away after consuming contaminated food.
Did you know that chewing not more than two bitter kola seeds before intercourse with your partner might also help sexually? In some parts of western Nigeria, a fraction of the populace takes Garcinia kola as an aphrodisiac. This can improve sexual performance and promote sex drive?
Bitter kola,
Good for you.