Short Note
Bitter Kola (Garcinia Kola), also known as African miracle nut, is a flowering plant that grows in coastal rainforests in the south-western and south-eastern sections of Nigeria, as well as in Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Gabon, and a few other African nations.
Bitter kola seeds, nuts, and bark have long been used to cure a variety of diseases, and the seeds, nuts, and bark are still used today.
Health Benefits
1. Boosts The Immune System
Bitter kola has an impact on the immune system as well as other regulatory systems in the body. It helps the body adapt to stress and also functions as an anti-infective agent.
2. Aphrodisiac Properties
Bitter kola has been proven to have aphrodisiac properties (causes or enhances sexual desire) in males, and is thus used to treat erectile dysfunction.
3. Controls Diabetes
Bitter kola seeds are thought to have the capacity to reduce blood glucose, making it a viable therapy for diabetes mellitus.
4. Strengthens The Lungs
Saponin, an antioxidant, is found in bitter kola and has cleaning and purifying properties.
As a result, the lungs function is improved by widening the alveolar ducts and sacs, which strengthens the fiber in the lungs tissue.
Moreover, bitter kola has a high antioxidant content which is beneficial to a healthy body.
5. Anti-malarial Properties
Kolaviron, an antioxidant found in bitter kola, has antimalarial effects according to study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine.
Bitter kola has a long history of being used to cure malaria infections by traditional healers, and scientific investigations are now beginning to back up their claims.
6. Weight loss
Bitter kola is a natural hunger suppressant as well as a powerful thirst stimulant, which aids in weight reduction because the body requires a lower intake of food and a significant intake of water to get rid of extra fat and stay healthy.
7. Anti-inflammatory Properties
In Africa, bitter kola seeds are often consumed to treat inflammatory disorders like arthritis.
In a 2008 research, people with osteoarthritis in their knees who ate bitter kola had a substantial reduction in inflammation when compared to a placebo.
Bitter kola’s high potassium content might play a role in its anti-inflammatory properties.
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Some side effects of bitter kola
Bitter kola has side effects so it is advisable to use it adequately.
- Blood pressure can be raised by it.
- Tremors are a possibility (involuntary movements).
- Bitter kola might make you sleepless.
