Kola nut is an edible nutritious seed of kola nut plant. It is extensively used by many countries of West Africa as an important part of ritual and social ceremonies. It has numerous therapeutic advantages and also used for synthesizing several important medications.

Nutritional composition

• It contains adequate amount of moisture
• It also contains desirable amount of carbohydrate and crude fibre
• It contains too some extent of protein as well
• It also contains lesser amount of crude fat
• It contains several micronutrients and it is especially rich in calcium, potassium and magnesium
• It contains caffeine and theobromine, which act as stimulant
• It is packed with various polyphenolic compounds, which include tannic acid, epicatechin, d-catechin etc
• It also contains desirable amount of theophylline that act as bronchodilator

Health benefits

Role on metabolism

• Caffeine component of kola nut is considered as an imperative substance that acts as metabolism booster
• Individual with slow metabolism or reduced BMR should consume kola nut
• Its consumption is very beneficial for reducing the risk of developing metabolic disorders as it helps to improve the overall metabolism of the body

Role on digestive health

• It has been traditionally used as an important preventive measures for digestive issues
• It has seen that the caffeine component of kola nut is accountable for increasing gastric acid secretion from stomach which is furthermore related with increasing the activity of digestive enzymes that ultimately help to promote digestion
• It is also extensively used as an important remedial action for dysentery, diarrhoea, stomach cramping, constipation and other related gastrointestinal disorders

Role on mental health

• It plays significant role in improving mental health status
• It has seen that consumption of kola nut is very effective for preventing depression
• It also helps to improve mood

Role on circulation

• Consumption of kola nut is very much useful for enhancing circulation as theobromine and caffeine components of cola nut are closely related with increasing the heart rate that ultimately helps to improve blood circulation
• Increased circulation is related with supplying sufficient oxygen and nutrients to the body, which are essentially required for proper nourishment, growth and development
• It is also considered as an imperative cognition booster as it helps to increase blood circulation to the brain, which helps to promote cognition as well as concentration
• It is related with promoting wound healing and cellular repairing by enhancing the flow of nutrients as well as oxygen to the damaged part of the body

Other benefits

• Consumption of kola nut or its extract is very beneficial for weight reduction as it is related with increasing metabolism thus increases the rate of fat breakdown. Whereas, it also acts as an effective appetite suppressant that also facilitates weight reduction by reducing hunger and calorie consumption
• Caffeine content of kola nut acts as strong stimulant, which is responsible for stimulating nervous system especially central nervous system and enhances the energy level of the body as well as alertness thus its consumption is very effective for preventing general weakness or fatigue. Individual suffer from Chronic fatigue syndrome should consume kola nut as it is associated with decreasing physical as well as mental fatigue
• Its consumption is also very effective for decreasing exhaustion
• Consumption of kola nut plays imperative role for improving the symptoms of anorexia

Disease preventive role of Kola nut

Role on preventing migraine

• Migraine is a health complication generally characterized by a painful sensation.  It may develop at any portion of the head and causes severe pain, which is often accompanied by vomiting
• It is mainly resulting from the over activities of excitable brain cells and can affect the functionality of blood vessels
• Kola nut contains significant amount of caffeine as well as theobromine, which are responsible for dilating blood vessels in brain that ultimately helps to improve the symptoms of migraine, thus individual who suffer from migraine can include kola nut in their diet for obtaining quick relief from migraine pain

Role on preventing cancers

• Phytoestrogen component of kola nut is considered as one of the most effective anti-carcinogenic substance that helps to protect the body from the harmful effects of carcinogen
• It helps to hinder the growth of cancerous cells by regulating apoptosis and proliferation
• It is also associated with reducing the prevalence of gene mutation and DNA damages hence decreases the risk of developing cancers
• It is very effective for decreasing the prevalence of prostate and colon cancers

Role on preventing asthma

• Kola nut may improve the symptoms of asthma as the caffeine and theophylline component found in kola nut has bronchodilator activities that help to widen the airway and make breathing relatively easier
• It is also associated with reducing other symptoms of asthma as it helps to exert relaxing effects on lung’s muscles.  It is better to consume kola nut for avoiding this type of respiratory complication

Role on preventing chronic infectious disease

• Kola nut has strong antibacterial effects that plays significant role in preventing the growth and replication of bacterial cells within host and even causes bacterial cell death also

• It is very effective against pathogens (disease causing microorganism)
• As it is associated with protecting the body from microbial infestation (especially bacteria) and also prevents their growth thus its consumption is considered as an effective preventive measure for infectious disease
• It is widely used as an effective home remedy for treating normal cold and flues

General consideration of using kola nut

• It can be chewed raw
• It can also be grounded into powder, which is then utilized for consumption
• Kola nut extract can be consumed. The nut is boiled properly for obtaining its extract by straining it
• It is considered as a cultural staple of Africa and mainly chewed during any rituals or ceremonies
• It can be used as flavouring agent too
• It can also be used for various medicinal purposes
• It can be used for sweetening the breath
• It is better to store kola nut in cool and dry place for enhancing its self life

Risk factors

• It is absolutely safe if consumed orally in smaller extent but if it is consumed in large dose then it may cause various health complications due to excessive accumulation of caffeine in body
• It may cause insomnia
• Individuals tend to be restless if they consume large amount of kola nut for long period of time

• It may also develop nervousness
• It may cause various gastrointestinal disorders if consumed in large dose such as diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and stomach irritation
• Over consumption of kola nut is also associated with developing anxiety, headache, irritation and agitation
• It is responsible for developing irregular heart beat
• Special consideration should be given to pregnant and lactating women as consumption of kola nut is safe for them in such a amount, which is normally found in food but excessive consumption of kola nut is very dangerous because excessive caffeine is very much harmful for them. It may increase the risk of miscarriages or early delivery and also increases the prevalence of low birth weight babies. Whereas it also affects lactating mothers adversely, it has seen that its over consumption is associated with increasing bowel activity in breast fed infants

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