Kolanut consumption, its benefits and side effects

Abstract

This article assessed kolanut consumption, its benefits and side effects. Kolanut is the fruit of the kola tree, which is indigenous to West Africa. The two main varieties are Cola acuminata and Cola nitida. It is the most common masticatory in Nigeria, and is quite bitter but gives a sweet taste after chewing. A desk research was done using various published literatures on kolanut. It was unveiled that the consumption of kolanut has many benefits as well as side effects. The side effects are dependent on the quantity intake of caffeine, a significant substance present in kolanut. Caffeine is a stimulant like theobromine and kolanin, which are also present in coffee, tea and chocolate. Kolanuts are chewed fresh and are also in the form of extracts, which is common food flavouring found in energy drinks. Right amount of kolanut depends on factors such as age, physiology and health status, and as such, more effort should be channeled into the area of investigating more appropriate quantity of kolanut that should be consumed in relation to people’s status.

Selected Natural Stimulants in Food and Their Effects on Human Health

“…Its effects are similar to caffeine's, and supplementation may be advisable for short-term periods requiring greater alertness and stimulation. However, as with other sources of caffeine, overuse can lead to adverse effects (Adelusi et al, 2020).…”

Threat of Fusarium pallidoroseum on Post-Harvest Kola Nut (Cola spp.) in Nigeria: A Review

“…It is renowned as a performance enhancer, aids in weight loss, alleviates headaches, coughs, tuberculosis, diarrhea, bacterial infections, and contributes to cardiovascular wellness. Moreover, its stimulant properties make it a frequent ingredient in energy drinks (Adelusi et al, 2020). The caffeine content in the nuts also functions as a bronchodilator, widening the bronchial air passages, thus making kola nuts a common remedy for conditions like whooping cough and asthma (Oduwaye et al, 2018).…”

Effects of Drying Procedures on the Nutritional, Biochemical and Phytochemical Compositions of Cola nitida Seeds

“…Kola nuts can be consumed or used in fresh or dried form. Fresh kola nuts are often shewed [5] while dried kola nuts are mostly used in the production of kola nut powder and beverages. Notably, drying of kola nut is one of the postharvest processing methods of kola nuts.…”