Health Benefits of Bitter Kola

Bitter kola, scientifically known as Garcinia Kola is a “bitter” fruit commonly consumed in some West African countries. Different tribes in Nigeria have different names for Bitter Kola, the Yoruba tribe call it “Orogbo” the Hausa tribe call it “Miji-goro” while the Igbo tribe call it “Akiilu”.

Bitter kola is considered an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, including Vitamins [A, C, E, B1, B2, B3], fiber, calcium, potassium, iron, etc. One thing about Bitter Kola is that it is versatile such that its fruit, seeds, nuts, and even bark serve a lot of medical and traditional benefits.

List of Health Benefits of Bitter Kola

• Boosts Sexual Health: Bitter kola is one of the most effective herbs for enhancing sexual life. A lot of studies has been made on the health benefits of bitter kola on fertility.

Studies reveal that Bitter Kola contains potent aphrodisiac properties and that if taken adequately, it can help boost your libido and overall sexual performance.

In addition to the above, Bitter Kola is also linked with increased sperm counts as well as improved testosterone levels and male fertility. As a result of this, there are certain African countries [including Nigeria] where Bitter Kola is often recommended for men with poor sexual performance.

• Combats STDs: Sexually Transmitted Diseases, STDs are one of the health conditions with limited solutions. In fact, a lot of researches are being carried out almost every day just to find a lasting solution to these diseases.

Bitter Kola [its seed and leaf] exhibits antibacterial effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Streptococcus pyrogens, all of which enables it to combat various Sexually Transmitted Diseases, STDs.

• Bolsters the Immune System : Your immune system is very crucial and should not be handled with levity; the weaker it is, the more you will be susceptible to illnesses. Thankfully, bitter kola contains an extraordinary amount of potent antioxidants, which helps in combating bacteria, free radicals, and illnesses in your body. [6]

When your immune system is strongly-built, it would protect you against any foreign contaminant or strange particles and thus keep you healthier and stronger.

• Treating of Malaria
  Malaria is one of the most common diseases in Nigeria; Over 1 million cases are recorded annually.

On the plus side, bitter kola contains potent chemical compounds, including quinones, kolaviron, and other anti-malarial properties for combating malaria.

Again, as a result of the effectiveness of bitter kola in treating malaria infections, some traditional healers in Africa often recommend bitter kola for malaria patients, and the results are usually impressive.

• Helps in Weight Loss: Weight loss might seem difficult at times, especially when you can’t control your caloric intake. But do you know bitter kola can help you lose more weight? Yes, regular consumption of bitter kola can give your weight loss goal a significant boost.

To start with, studies show that bitter kola could increase your body’s metabolism rate as high as 100%, which means that it could help shed some fats and even reduce your craving for food.

When you chew bitter kola, it will help suppress your appetite and increase your water intake. As a result of this, you will not get hungry easily, and this will, in return, prevent you from overeating or clogging your stomach with unhealthy foods that could result in excess weight gain.

• Acts as an Anti-Poison: This is one of the many intriguing health benefits of Bitter Kola. Bitter Kola exhibits some anti-poisonous effects, which makes it an effective natural remedy for food poisoning.

This is how it works; Immediately you suspect that the food you ate has been contaminated get yourself a few bitter kolas and chew immediately.
After chewing the bitter kola, it will then detoxify your system so as to make the poison harmless to you.

• Treats Cold and Cough: Garcinia Kola is also an effective remedy for treating head or chest colds and cough. A recent study on the shed more light on the use of bitter kola for cough treatment. The study found out that a mixture of bitter kola and honey could be helpful in treating cough. It concludes by saying that bitter kola has medicinal properties and have been used for the treatment of certain disease conditions, including cough.

• Helps the Lung Function even better: The lung is a vital organ of the body and must be adequately cared for to prevent sudden breakdown.

However, bitter kola is made up of potent properties that could help boost the functioning of the lung as well as the respiratory system.

In support of the above, a research work published in the 2008 Internet Journal of Pulmonary Medicine reveals that bitter kola boosted the respiratory function of the objects of study in less than one month of continuous consumption.

Article credit: Healthguide.ng