Although it may not be as popular as pistachios and peanuts, kola nut is an amazing nut; rich in nutrients and boasting a one-of-a-kind aroma and flavor, it’s commonly added in supplements, soft drinks, and more.
Each pod contains the same amount of caffeine as two cups of coffee, along with abundance of antioxidants and other healthy compounds.
Kola nut, also known as cola nut, is an edible nut from the kola tree. It’s native to West Africa and interestingly, the tree can reach up to 60 feet in height.
It grows vibrant yellow flowers and fruits shaped like stars. Each of them has 2 to 5 kola nuts.
The taste at first is bitter, but as it’s chewed, it becomes sweet. The nuts can also be dried and this helps make their flavor milder and gives them an aroma similar to the one of nutmeg.
The Best Health Benefits of Kola Nuts
- Energizes you
Since they’re rich in caffeine, these nuts will stimulate your central nervous system and activate certain neurotransmitters which helps elevate your energy and make you more focused and alert.
Moreover, studies have also found that when consumed in moderation, it may better the brain function, elevate the endurance, and lower fatigue.
- May help relieve migraines
For a long period of time, caffeine has been used as a go-to for relief from migraines and headaches.
It’s believed to help by constricting the blood vessels in the brain and further lowering our blood flow and pain.
When combined with OTCs like ibuprofen or aspirin, studies have found that the kola nut helps better the migraine and tension headache symptoms when compared to meds only.
- Improves weight loss efforts
Since it has caffeine, some research emphasizes kola nut as a potential weight loss tool.
This is because caffeine has been found helpful in boosting the metabolism by increasing the number of calories burned throughout the day.
Moreover, these nuts may help lower the intake of energy, which may also help for shedding pounds better.
- Balances the blood sugar
Some studies have found the extract of kola nut to be beneficial in reducing the blood sugar levels in lab animals.
And, it also bettered the beta cell function in the pancreas, also responsible for the insulin production. Kola nuts are also abundant in caffeine that may also help in balancing the blood sugar.
In fact, a review concluded that every cup of coffee per day was linked with 7 percent lower chance of type 2 diabetes.
- Lowers bacterial growth
Some research concluded that these nuts have antibacterial potential that may help avert the growth of harmful pathogens linked with illnesses.
They were found helpful against several bacteria strains, including the Proteus vulgans and the Streptoccocus anginosus.
Good to know:
Although generally considered safe for human consumption, since they’re rich in caffeine, never exaggerate with their consumption.
Namely, caffeine isn’t just addictive, but when consumed excessively, it can cause unpleasant side effects, including insomnia, nervousness, hyperactivity, etc.
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