The modern-day beverages or colas or sodas we consume daily have kola nut as one of the key ingredients. The versatile kola nut’s name is ‘cola’ to popular beverages containing caffeine. Kola nut also uses alternative medicine and has become quite popular recently. It is also chewed traditionally in some African cultures and tastes quite bitter. However, it leaves a pleasant aftertaste and smells like the popular spice nutmeg. Let’s know more about kola nut in detail.
List of 10 Popular health benefits of kola nut
Kola nut offers various health benefits, all thanks to its high caffeine content, phytoestrogens, and phytoandrogens. While some of the benefits may be scientifically proven, some are common and popular because of traditional folklore using it in medicines.
1. Consumption increases circulation of oxygen
We all love our cups of caffeine when we want some instant energy! Since kola nuts have high caffeine content, it increases oxygen circulation due to its stimulating effect. This also helps regulate the heart rate. For the same reason, it finds use in many medicines and is used as a cognitive booster, energizing the brain and increasing concentration.
Oxygen is circulated to all body parts, including the brain, which helps it to focus better. The increased blood flow also helps injuries to heal faster. Plus, you feel delighted – the caffeine effect.
2. Digestive benefits of kola nut
In Africa, kola nuts are often chewed after eating and suffering from digestive issues. Kola nuts help the the gastrointestinal system by breaking down the food so that it takes energy and prevents pathogenic microorganisms in the stomach. If you have constant constipation, kola nuts can help you get relief.
Just chew on a few kola nuts after having food, and watch gastro problems like bloating, cramping, constipation, etc., go away.
3. Boosting the immune system due to anti-bacterial properties
You may have come across kola nut extracts in many pharmaceutical stores. The reason is that the kola nuts are believed to contain compounds that can fight many bacterial infections. Kola nuts are also antioxidative in nature and hence gets your body rid of free radicals. Your resistance to bacterial and respiratory issues increases and you fall sick less often.
When consumed regularly, kola nuts can strengthen your immune system and make you less susceptible to infections and diseases.
4. Aids in losing weight
Kola nut is a blessing for people who want to lose weight but have a slow metabolism(1). The caffeine in kola nuts acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system, speeding up metabolic processes. According to the Dr Stephen Lawrence, from Warwick’s medical school, caffeine can boost metabolism by 3-11% (Source). This spike in energy expenditure can help in burning calories even at rest. It’s like getting a mini workout while sitting on the couch!.
However, it may also affect negatively if not taken as a prescribed dose by a medical officer.
5. Helps to treat respiratory disorders
Caffeine is considered a warm beverage and can thus effectively treat respiratory diseases such as asthma, coughs, influenza, and bronchitis. Have some kola nuts to help dissolve the mucus; once it is out of the body, you will feel relieved. The idea is to loosen up the mucus from the lungs by thinning it so you can breathe without discomfort.
Kola nuts are also useful for treating contracted bronchia.
6. Recommended for pain in the knees
When taken in a prescribed dosage, Kola nuts can help boost overall bone health and are specifically beneficial to ease knee pain. Kola nuts contain compounds that can improve bone density and reduce joint stiffness and pain. They also help reduce the joints’ swelling, making it easier to move about.
Regular and appropriate consumption of kola nuts can reduce the risk of osteoarthritis throughout your lifespan.
7. Helps in prostate cancer
Since kola nuts exhibit antioxidant properties, it has been recently discovered that they can be helpful in treating prostate cancers, while the research(2) is going on to study their effect on other cancers. Science has it that phytoestrogens and phytoestrogens found in kola nuts can help stimulate the death of cancerous cells in the prostate glands in men.
A 2012 study found that hexane extract from kola seed (Cola acuminata) showed promising results in laboratory settings, with the potential to inhibit or kill 100% of certain breast and prostate cancer cells. (Source) However, it’s important to note that this was an early-stage study, and further research in human trials is needed before drawing concrete conclusions.
If the nuts are studied for their effect on other cancerous cells, we may have a great medicine in hand.
8. Natural therapy for cold and related infections
Caffeine has similar properties as the drug Theophylline and exhibits the same effect on a person with cold and chest infections. Limited and calculated doses of kola nuts can help open airways in the lungs. Kola nuts can also enlarge the alveolar sac and duct, relieving symptoms of a cold. However, excess caffeine in the body may cause sickness, so do take your doctor’s advice.
9. Kola nut for migraine
We all grab a cup of tea or coffee for instant relief from headaches – thanks to the caffeine effect! Because caffeine contains theobromine, it helps to provide relief from nasty migraines as well. In fact, most pain relievers have caffeine in them, says webMd.com.(3) Kola nuts contain caffeine and when chewed during migraines, they can help reduce inflammation in the head causing the pain and also boost the effect of common pain relievers such as aspirin.
10. Natural diuretic
Caffeine is also a natural diuretic, so the consumption of kola nuts can help you expel excess water from the body. Kola nuts are a natural remedy to treat cirrhosis, hypertension, and kidney disease conditions. In a study(4) it was found that methanolic extract of kola nut showed diuretic properties.
Comparison with Other Stimulants
| Stimulant | Primary Compound | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|
| Kola Nut | Caffeine, Theobromine | Energy booster, traditional medicine |
| Coffee | Caffeine | Morning beverage, mental alertness |
| Tea | Caffeine, Theanine | Relaxation, focus |
| Guarana | Caffeine | Energy drinks, weight loss supplements |
| Yerba Mate | Caffeine, Theobromine | Traditional South American drink, energy booster |
| Ginseng | Ginsenosides | Boosts energy, improves cognitive function |
| Green Tea Extract | Caffeine, Catechins | Weight loss, antioxidant properties |
About Kola Nut and its Industrial Uses
What is Kola Nut?
The seed of the kola fruit of Cola acuminata and Cola nitida trees native to tropical rainforests of western Africa, kola nuts are desirable as food, flavoring agent, and an element in alternative medicine. The fruit bears a resemblance to the stars in their shape and grows on trees that are 40 to 60 feet tall. Each fruit contains 5-6 kola nuts packed with caffeine content. Many chew it to get the caffeine effect – the equivalent of 2 large cups of American coffee in one nut.
It is a cash crop for African farmers, and you would find small piles of kola nuts at every busy place in the continent.
Industrial Uses of kola nut
Due to its raw caffeine content, kola nut extract is used as a flavoring agent in many popular aerated drinks such as Coca-cola and Pepsi in western countries. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)(5) has approved the use of kola nut in various medicines and also classifies it as a natural flavoring agent for food.
Warning and side effects of kola nuts
Kola nuts come packed with high amounts of caffeine, and unlike beverages, where the amount of caffeine or largely regulated, the same cannot be said about kola nuts. However, it cannot cause nut allergy since it is a fruit seed. But owing to the caffeine in kola nuts, it is not suited for people who-
- Suffer from hypertension – people who have hypertension and related issues should inhibit the consumption of caffeine since it increases the heart rate and causes a steep rise in blood pressure.
- Struggle with sleep issues – If you suffer from insomnia or frequently face trouble sleeping, it is best to avoid kola nuts as they can aggravate the problem.
- Have a weak immune system – Caffeine can cause diarrhea and nausea in people who have a weak immune system.
- Have a sensitivity to caffeine – You may experience involuntary shaking of hands and bouts of anxiety if you are sensitive to caffeine and related products. Maintain distance from kola nuts.
- Nausea – Due to its overconsumption one could have stomach upset. Due to the increased production of acids in the stomach, one could experience pain in the stomach, too.
Most people tolerate up to 400 milligrams of caffeine daily, but it can affect different people differently. Though kola nuts can be very beneficial when taken under the guidance of a doctor and in recommended doses, they can also be hazardous if you fail to consider the potential side effects.
Kola nut FAQs
What are the side effects of kola nut?
The caffeine in Kola nut may have various side effects, depending on the person. Some people experience insomnia, anxiety, or mood swings, while others develop headaches, increased heart rate, stomach irritation, vomiting, and tingling sensations. Most of the side effects come if it is used in large amounts or for more extended periods. In some cases, kola nut can even lead to seizures. Talk to your doctor before you use this supplement and monitor any adverse reactions closely.
How is kola nut traditionally used for?
The kola nut is traditionally used for magical rituals and ceremonies in West Africa. It is believed to be a powerful agent that can confer powers such as wisdom, strength, and good health on its user. Some think it can cure HIV/AIDS, stop hurricanes, or bring good luck. Additionally, the kola nut is also considered to be an antidepressant and fertility enhancer.
Is Kolanut good for diabetes?
Kolanut is a type of coffee bean that has been traditionally used in India to fight diabetes. Some preliminary studies have shown that individuals who consume this bean are less likely to develop diabetes than those who don’t. As per research studies, kola nut seeds inhibits α-amylase and α-glucosidase, the type-2 diabetes enzymes. Due to this property, it can be used as a cheap and inexpensive treatment for type-2 diabetes.
