Bitter Kola: Health Benefits For Men And Women, How To Take It And Side Effects

post by: Collins for thedistin.com.
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Bitter kola, also known as Garcinia Kola, is a plant found in Central and Western Africa that has long been valued for its medicinal properties. Although traditional African medicine uses all parts of the Bitter Kola plant, the seeds are most commonly eaten

Bitter kola is also known as the Garcinia tree is one of the most treasured plants in the country.

It has continuously been used to solve several health problems. The best part of it is that it occurs naturally, is easily accessible, and does not have to undergo several processes to be consumed.

However, too much consumption of something, even bitter kola, can be detrimental to a person’s health. Are you wondering about the amount of bitter kola you should consume in a day?

Bitter Kola dosage

There are several side effects associated with too much intake of bitter kola.

It is recommended that a person takes two bitter kola nuts every day.

This bitter kola dose is enough to replenish your energy and improve your health. Should you want to maintain a healthy life naturally, try eating two bitter kola nuts a day.

Side Effects

The risk of side effects may vary and increase, depending on how much of the nut is eaten. Possible side effects of the kola nut include:

  • Increased blood pressure: Because the active ingredients in the kola nut are stimulants to the body, the nut can raise blood pressure. People who already have high blood pressure or are taking blood pressure medication should check with their doctor before using any product containing kola nuts.
  • Problems sleeping: Using products containing kola nuts can lead to insomnia or problems falling or staying asleep. Those with sleep disorders may be advised to avoid stimulants that contain caffeine, including kola nuts.
  • Shakiness: Since kola nuts can affect the central nervous system, they can lead to shakiness, tremors, and anxiousness. People with anxiety may be especially prone to shakiness from kola nuts.
  • Nausea: Overeating kola nuts may lead to an upset stomach. Some people may also experience stomach pains because of the increased production of stomach acids, which kola nuts might cause.

Health Benefits

Bitter kola contains elements that are used to treat a wide variety of diseases and conditions. Bitter kola benefits include:

Men: To begin with, bitter kola helps in curing erectile dysfunction in men. It is believed that bitter kola elements facilitate the supply of blood to the important areas of men thus making it easy for them to erect. Moreover, it increases their sexual performance. Bitter Kola will definitely work for a man who wants to spice up his sex life.

Women: Bitter kola also helps to reduce morning sickness in pregnant women during the first trimester. However, they should be consumed moderately and with the advice of the physician.

Infections

Bitter kola has been used over the years to fight infections from the common cold to hepatitis. A 2018 study showed that bitter kola can help combat coughs, bacterial infections, and viral infections. Eating bitter kola when an infection starts may help fight the infection and make you feel better more quickly.

Inflammation

Bitter kola seeds have commonly been chewed on in Africa to fight against inflammatory conditions like arthritis. One 2008 study showed that patients with osteoarthritis in their knees showed significantly reduced inflammation when eating bitter kola compared to a placebo. The high levels of potassium in bitter kola may be a contributing factor in reducing inflammation.

Diabetes

Early studies suggest that a chemical called kolaviron, which is found in bitter kola, may protect against hypoglycemia in people with type 2 diabetes. Although this first study was done on rats and has not yet been reproduced on humans, these early findings are promising.

Respiratory Infections

Bitter kola treats respiratory infections in the lungs and also increases their functionality. Colds coughs and sneezing can also be treated through bitter kola consumption.

Malaria

Another benefit of bitter kola is that it treats malaria. In the past, traditional healers used to recommend bitter kola as medicine for treating malaria. Bitter kola contains quinine which is necessary for treating malaria.

Nutrients per Serving

The FDA considers bitter kola generally safe to eat, but classifies it similarly to essential oils. That means there’s not much information available about serving sizes or nutritional data. However, a 2013 study found that bitter kola was high in the following nutrients:

  • Carbohydrates
  • Fat
  • Protein

The study same study also found that bitter kola had high levels of:

  • Vitamin C
  • Calcium 
  • Potassium
  • Iron
  • Caffeine