Is bitter kola good for liver and kidney…effect of bitter kola on the liver?
Ever heard the saying- “Two seeds of bitter kola daily keeps the doctor away”. As the apple helps in keeping the doctor at bay, so does bitter kola. Bitter kola is known to be of great medicinal value. In traditional medicine, the fruit, root and seeds (bitter kola nuts) are used in the treatment of various ailments ranging including cough, sore throat, and fever.
In this article, you’ll get to find out if #bitter #kola is $liver friendly, as well as the effects of this nut on the liver.
Read on.
But first;
What is Bitter Kola?
Bitter kola (botanical name- Garcinia kola) is a flowering plant mostly found in Central and West Africa. Local names for bitter kola in Nigeria include aku-ilu by the Igbos, orogbo by the Yorubas, and namijin goro by the Hausas. Other native tribes such as Bini, Ibibio and Efik call it edun, efiat and efiari respectively.
Over centuries, bitter kola has been used in African traditional medicine to treat bacterial, viral infections and several other diseases; including liver diseases. More so, bitter kola contains a compound known as kolaviron- a natural biflavonoid that can help protect you against hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
Bitter Kola is well named after its taste. It gives off a bitter taste when consumed. This is due to its seeds. The seeds are edible and are responsible for its bitter taste.
Nutritional Value of Bitter Kola
Bitter kola offers many nutritional benefits. It is a good source of carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamin c, potassium, calcium, iron and caffeine. All these nutrients help provide all round medicinal value.
Effects of Bitter Kola on the Liver
The liver is a vital organ in the body. It is located below the rib cage at the right side of the abdomen, and is responsible for detoxification. The liver helps get rid of toxic substances like drugs and alcohol that could prove harmful to your health.
Once damaged, there’s an increased risk of the individual succumbing to mother earth.
Because, toxins and toxic substances get free invitation into the body and as such cause diseases. However, in cases where the liver is damaged and can’t perform its functions, local plants and herbal supplements can also be implemented.
Local plants like bitter kola enhances liver functions. Bitter kola contains a chemical compound known as saponin, which has a detoxifying and cleansing effect. It can help get rid of toxins and poisons from the liver, gall bladder, and even the body system as a whole.
Furthermore, bitter kola can serve as a home remedy for the treatment of liver disorders. Liver diseases such as hepatitis b and c, liver cirrhosis, and liver viruses can be gotten rid of through the consumption of bitter kola. Bitter kola is totally liver friendly. It doesn’t pose any risk to the liver; but, rather helps protect the liver from any food poisoning and alcoholic effects.
Also, bitter kola is highly recommended for people with fatty liver. Saponin in bitter kola helps breakdown glycogen in the liver. On the other hand, the leaves are used to relieve stomach aches and pains, and can serve as a good remedy for typhoid fever. The antiviral, antibacterial, cleansing and detoxifying properties of bitter kola is responsible for the wide use of bitter kola in the treatment of various infections and diseases.
To mention but a few, all these are beneficial effects of bitter kola on the liver. So yes, you can say that #bitter #kola is very good for the #liver. It is generally safe and healthy for consumption. It doesn’t have any recorded side effects, even if frequently consumed. However, it should be consumed in moderation.
In addition to prevention and risk reduction of liver diseases, please note that bitter kola can only treat liver diseases in early stages. Late detection or advanced stages? You should seek medical attention immediately, and not resort to using herbal supplements or local plants as remedies.
Concluding words
Lastly, it is important you note that taking bitter kola with conventional medicines when ill can be ineffective. Therefore, it is advised you avoid eating bitter kola when on certain medications.
Bitter #kola is good food for the #liver.
Stella-maris Achumba
This article is the intellectual property of www.nimedhealth.com.ng
