Bitter Kola: The African Wonder Nut

 

Bitter kola, also known as Garcinia kola, is a plant that belongs to the mangosteen family and grows in Central and Western Africa. It has long been valued for its medicinal properties, as the seeds, nuts, and bark have been and are still being used to treat various ailments. Bitter kola seeds have a sharp, bitter flavor that eases into a slight sweetness as you chew, and they are typically eaten raw. In this blog post, we will explore some of the health benefits and uses of bitter kola, and why you should consider adding it to your diet.

 

Health Benefits of Bitter Kola

According to scientific studies, bitter kola may have the following health benefits:

 

-          Treating malaria: Bitter kola contains a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound called kolaviron, which has high antimalarial properties¹. Bitter kola has been used for centuries to fight infections from the common cold to hepatitis². Eating bitter kola when an infection starts may help fight the infection and make you feel better more quickly.

 

-          Weight loss: Bitter kola is known for being a natural hunger suppressant and a great thirst stimulant, and as such helps to reduce weight loss, as a reduced intake of food and a large intake of water is needed by the body to get rid of excess fat and stay healthy. Bitter kola also boosts the metabolism and helps burn calories faster.

 

 

-          Diabetes: Bitter kola may help lower blood glucose levels and protect against hypoglycemia in people with type 2 diabetes, thanks to the compound kolaviron. Although more research is needed on humans, bitter kola may be a potential treatment for diabetes.

 

-          Glaucoma: Bitter kola may help prevent and treat glaucoma, which is a condition that causes damage to the optic nerve and can lead to blindness. A study showed that an eye drop made from an extract of bitter kola can help improve the eye pressure and vision of glaucoma patients.

 

-          Osteoarthritis: Bitter kola may help reduce inflammation, pain, and stiffness in the joints of people with osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative disease that affects the cartilage and bones. A study showed that bitter kola had significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects on patients with knee osteoarthritis.

 

-          Immunity: Bitter kola may help strengthen the immune system and protect against various diseases and infections. Bitter kola influences multiple regulatory systems in the body, including the immune system, and helps the body adapt to stress and fight off pathogens.

 

 

-          Erectile dysfunction: Bitter kola may help improve sexual performance and treat erectile dysfunction, which is a condition that affects the ability to achieve or maintain an erection. Bitter kola has aphrodisiac effects, meaning that it can increase sexual desire and arousal.

 

 

How to Use Bitter Kola.

 

Bitter kola can be used in different ways, depending on your preference and purpose. Here are some of the common ways to use bitter kola:

 

 

 

-          Eating it raw: The simplest way to use bitter kola is to eat it raw, like many other nuts. You can peel off the outer layer and chew on the seed, which will release its bitter and sweet flavor. You can eat one or two seeds a day, depending on your tolerance and need.

 

-          Making a drink: You can also make a drink from bitter kola by boiling some seeds in water and adding some honey or sugar to sweeten it. You can drink this as a tea or a juice, and enjoy its refreshing and energizing effects.

 

 

-          Making a powder: You can also grind some bitter kola seeds into a fine powder and use it as a spice or a supplement. You can add some bitter kola powder to your food, smoothies, or capsules, and benefit from its health properties.

 

-          Making an extract: You can also make an extract from bitter kola by soaking some seeds in alcohol or vinegar for a few days or weeks, and then straining the liquid. You can use this extract as a medicine or a cosmetic, and apply it to your skin, hair, or eyes.

 

 

Bitter kola is a plant that has many health benefits and uses, and is widely consumed in Africa for its medicinal and cultural value. Bitter kola may help treat and prevent various conditions, such as malaria, diabetes, glaucoma, osteoarthritis, erectile dysfunction, and more. Bitter kola can be used in different ways, such as eating it raw, making a drink, a powder, or an extract. Bitter kola is a natural and safe product that can improve your health and well-being, and you should consider adding it to your diet.

 

 

 

Source:

 

(1)    Bitter Kola: Health Benefits, Nutrients, Preparation, and More – WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-bitter-kola.

 

(2)    10 HEALTH BENEFITS OF BITTER KOLA CONSUMPTION & ITS USES – eProject Library. https://eprojectlibrary.com/health-benefits-of-bitter-kola/.

 

 

(3)    Garcinia kola – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garcinia_kola.