Kola Nuts
The kola nut is the fruit of
the kola tree (Cola
acuminata and Cola
nitida), indigenous to West Africa. The trees, which reach heights
of 40 to 60 feet, produce a star-shaped fruit. Each fruit contains between two
and five kola nuts. About the size of a chestnut, this little fruit is packed
with caffeine.
Kola nuts have a bitter taste
when chewed fresh. When they’re dried, the taste becomes milder and they
reportedly smell of nutmeg.
Uses
The kola nut is a cultural
staple in many West African countries, prized for its effects as a central
nervous system stimulant.
Throughout West Africa, every
market, bus depot, and corner shop has small piles of kola nuts for sale. It’s
a significant cash crop for rural farmers. Many people chew them daily for a
dose of caffeine. Each nut contains more caffeine than two large cups of
American coffee.
In the West (the United States
and Europe), you are more likely to encounter kola nut extract than the fresh
nut itself. Kola extract is a common food flavoring found in Coca-Cola,
Pepsi-Cola, and now many popular energy drinks.
Kola nut has been listed by
the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) as generally safe for human consumption.
Kola nut extract is classified as a natural food flavoring. The FDA has also
approved kola extract as an inactive ingredient in certain pharmaceuticals.
In the past, kola extract was
used in certain weight loss drugs and over-the-counter stimulants.
Kola nut extract is also
marketed as an herbal supplement. These supplements are typically not monitored
by the FDA, but they may include a warning about caffeine content. The American
Herbal Products Association includes kola nut on a list of
caffeine-containing substances that should not be used by pregnant or
breastfeeding women or those under the age of 18.
benefits of kola nuts
Stories about the many health
benefits of kola nut go back thousands of years. People have claimed that kola
nut sweetens stale water, treats fatigue, and eases hunger pains. While kola nut may have health benefits, Most
of the benefits of kola nut are connected to its high caffeine content, which
increases energy and reduces hunger.
Claims have also been made that
it treats:
- infections
- skin
diseases
- ulcers
- toothaches
- morning
sickness
- intestinal
diseases
- headaches
- depression
- low
sex drive
- coughs
and asthma
- dysentery
- constipation
- various
eye problems
Americans have a long history of consuming kola-containing sodas without any adverse health effects. The kola nut is actually a seed taken from inside a fruit, so it’s not associated with tree nut allergies.
The side effects of kola nut
and kola nut extract parallel the effects of a comparable dose of caffeine.
Caffeine has many effects on
the body, including:
- stimulating
your central nervous system, making you feel awake and energetic
- acting
as a diuretic, helping your body expel extra salt and water through
increased urination
- increasing
the release of stomach acid, which can lead to heartburn and stomach upset
- interfering
with your body’s ability to absorb calcium
- increasing
your blood pressure
Most people can safely tolerate
about 400 milligrams of caffeine per day. But caffeine can affect some people
differently than others.
Energy drinks are not required
to list the caffeine content of herbal ingredients, so an energy drink with
kola nut extract may have much more caffeine than the label indicates. Too much
caffeine can produce unwanted side effects, such as:
- restlessness
- insomnia
- jitteriness
and shakiness
- headaches
- dizziness
- rapid
or abnormal heart rate
- dehydration
- anxiety
- dependency
and withdrawal
Too much caffeine can cause
health problems and is particularly dangerous when combined with alcohol.
Combining caffeine with alcohol tricks you into thinking you’re less impaired
than you actually are, which can lead to alcohol poisoning and drunk driving.
Kola
nut and kola nut extract are generally considered safe by the FDA and other governing
bodies around the world. Kola has been used as a food additive in the United
States since the late 1800s and has caused little problems. But, be mindful of
the caffeine content of kola supplements and kola-containing energy drinks. Too
much caffeine can be dangerous and lead to unpleasant side effects.
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