Health Benefits of Bitter Kola that will Blow Your Mind

Health Benefits of Bitter Kola that will Blow Your Mind

Health Benefits of Bitter Kola that will Blow Your Mind: Did you know that Coca-Cola received its name from a common African tree?

Some of the original formulations for Coca-Cola were developed using the extract of the bitter kola plant. Though the company hasn’t used genuine kola to flavor its sodas in years, the moniker remains a reminder of the strange plant that inspired the renowned drink.

Bitter kola, also known as bitter cola or Garcinia Kola, is a plant found in Central and Western Africa that has long been regarded for its medical benefits.

Although traditional African medicine employs all parts of the Bitter Kola plant, the seeds are primarily typically consumed.

Bitter kola seeds have a harsh, bitter taste that eases into a faint sweetness as you chew, and they’re normally consumed raw.

Health Benefits

Although bitter kola has been consumed in Africa for years, scientists are only starting to examine the health advantages of this blooming plant.

According to these early investigations, bitter kola may be able to aid with health concerns including:

Treat Infections

Bitter kola has been used throughout the years to combat illnesses from the common cold to hepatitis.

A 2018 research indicated that bitter kola may help battle coughs, bacterial infections, and viral infections.

Eating bitter kola as an illness develops may help fight the infection and make you feel well more quickly.

Reduce Inflammation

Bitter kola seeds have often been chewed on in Africa to fight against inflammatory disorders like arthritis.

One 2008 research found that individuals with osteoarthritis in their knees had dramatically lower inflammation after consuming bitter kola compared to a placebo.

The high quantities of potassium in bitter kola may be a significant element in decreasing inflammation.

Treatment for Diabetes

Early investigations show that a molecule called kolaviron, which is contained in bitter kola, may protect against hypoglycemia in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Although this initial research was done on rats and has not yet been repeated on people, these early results are intriguing.

Antimicrobial characteristics

Research published in the Science Journal of Microbiology has shown that both the bitter kola seeds and leaves contain antibacterial characteristics.

Bitter kola was tested against Streptococcus Pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhi, and the plant was able to suppress these pathogens.

The antibacterial action was discovered to be related to the presence of bioactive components in the extract such as tannin, and saponins.

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Potential treatment for glaucoma

Glaucoma is a disorder of increased pressure inside the eyeball, causing a progressive loss of sight, and may culminate in irreversible blindness if left untreated.

Research in the Middle East African Journal of Ophthalmology found that bitter kola is good for lowering the pressure in the eye for newly diagnosed individuals, and was as successful as more conventional therapies.

It is vital to emphasize that you must follow expert medical advice and treatment if you have glaucoma, even if the problem is recently diagnosed

Potential treatment for osteoarthritis

With symptoms ranging from uncomfortable to extremely painful, an osteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis.

It’s characterized by the degeneration of cartilage around joints and the underlying bone, causing severe pain and stiffness, especially in the thumb, knee, and hip joints.

The causes of osteoarthritis can include joint injury, obesity, hereditary factors as well as aging.

Aphrodisiac credentials

Traditional medicine considers bitter kola to be an aphrodisiac, so it’s believed to improve sexual desire, libido, and performance.

With these qualities in mind, why not try some bitter kola to help turbo-charge your bedroom life?

Nutrients Per Serving

The FDA considers bitter kola usually safe to consume but classifies it similarly to essential oils. That means there’s not much information accessible on serving sizes or nutritional facts. However, a 2013 research indicated that bitter kola was rich in the following nutrients:

Carbohydrates, Fat, Protein

The same study also revealed that bitter kola has significant quantities of:

Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium, Iron, and Caffeine

How to Prepare Bitter Kola

Bitter kola may be consumed on its own, uncooked, like many other nuts. Keep in mind, though, that it’s named “bitter” for a reason. Bitter kola may be an acquired flavor.

You may occasionally buy beverages manufactured or flavored with bitter kola in African marketplaces and online retailers.

If you don’t enjoy the flavor but want to include bitter kola to your diet, these beverages may be an excellent solution.