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Kola nut

Kola Nut - Cola Nitida - Kola nut The tree grows to a height of around 10 to 20 meters. Its leathery leaves are alternate, sometimes long-stalked, elliptical to oblong-ovate in shape, up to 20 cm long and up to 10 cm wide. The tree bears both white-yellowish flowers and fruits (bellows fruits) all year round, in which there are up to 10 so-called kola nuts. The fruits are elongated-oval, have a wavy surface and grow up to 12 cm long. The kola tree is native to tropical areas of West Africa and is also cultivated in South America and Asia.

History

In Africa, the kola nut is of great social and cultic importance. It is considered a symbol of solidarity and is eaten together in many ceremonies, rituals and celebrations. The kola nut arrived in Europe with the first Portuguese voyages of discovery. However, it was not used to any great extent until the 19th century. Extracts of the kola nut and the coca bush were originally used in the drink Coca-Cola.

Ingredients

The kola nut contains up to 3.5% caffeine as its main active ingredient, as well as theobromine, catechin, epicatechin, procyanidins and tannins. It also contains up to 45% starch, protein, sugar, fats and minerals.

Effects

The caffeine from the kola nut has a slightly different effect to "normal caffeine". The fact that it is bound to tannins reduces the palpitations that often occur with coffee. It also has an appetite-suppressing and slightly euphoric effect. There is also talk of an aphrodisiac effect. Side effects can include nervousness and a habituation effect.

Uses

Ground kola nut is used as a powerful stimulant and can be used as a coffee substitute. In West Africa, it is also used to stimulate digestion and curb hunger. It is also used in folk medicine to treat migraines, fever, vomiting and diarrhea. The kola nut is very suitable for supporting diets. It opens up a reservoir of energy. The body is 'woken up', so to speak, and you can feel the energy in your spine. Can also be used as a sexual stimulant.

Safety and side effects

Kola nut is probably safe and harmless for most people when consumed in the amounts found in food. Kola nut is potentially safe and harmless when taken orally in medicinal quantities for short periods of time. The caffeine contained in kola nut can cause insomnia, nervousness, restlessness, stomach irritation, nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, increased respiratory rate and other side effects. When used in large medicinal quantities or over a long period of time, kola nut may not be safe and harmless. Chewing kola nut has been linked to an increased risk of stomach and colon cancer, as well as cancer of the mouth. Due to the high caffeine content, large amounts can also cause headaches, anxiety, agitation, tinnitus and irregular heartbeat. Sudden cessation of caffeine can sometimes result in headaches, nervousness, anxiety and dizziness. Taking kola nut in very high quantities is probably not safe and harmless due to the caffeine content. Very high doses of caffeine can be fatal. The lethal dose is estimated to be 10 to 14 grams or 150 to 200 mg of caffeine per kilogram of body weight.

Precautions and warnings

  • Children: Kola nut is probably safe and harmless for children when taken orally in normal dietary amounts.
  • Pregnancy and lactation: Kola nut may be safe when consumed in normal dietary amounts during pregnancy and lactation. Higher doses may not be safe and harmless as they contain too much caffeine for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Mothers should keep their caffeine intake below 200 mg per day, which is about the same amount of caffeine as 2 cups of coffee. Consuming larger amounts during pregnancy could increase the risk of miscarriage and other problems. Caffeine passes into breast milk, so breastfeeding women should monitor their caffeine intake closely and make sure it is low. Caffeine may not be safe in large amounts during pregnancy. Caffeine can cause sleep disturbances, irritability and increased frequency of bowel movements in breastfed infants.
  • Anxiety disorders: The caffeine contained in kola nut could exacerbate anxiety disorders.
  • Blood clotting disorders: Kola nut contains caffeine, which could slow down blood clotting. For this reason, some experts are concerned that kola nut could worsen blood clotting disorders.
  • Heart disease: The caffeine contained in kola nut can cause irregular heartbeat in sensitive people. If you suffer from heart disease, you should use kola nut with caution.
  • Diabetes: Kola nut contains caffeine. Some research suggests that caffeine may alter the way the body processes sugar and could exacerbate existing diabetes. For this reason, diabetics should use kola nut with caution.
  • Diarrhea: Kola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine can aggravate diarrhea, especially in large amounts.
  • Glaucoma: The caffeine contained in kola nut may increase intraocular pressure. This increase begins within 30 minutes and lasts for at least 90 minutes.
  • High blood pressure: The caffeine in kola nut may increase blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. However, this effect may be weaker in people who use caffeine regularly.
  • Irritable bowel syndrome: The caffeine contained in kola nuts - especially in large quantities - can exacerbate the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome as well as diarrhea.
  • Osteoporosis: The caffeine contained in kola nuts can increase the amount of calcium excreted in the urine. This could weaken the bones. If you suffer from osteoporosis, you should therefore limit your caffeine intake to less than 300 mg per day (about 2 to 3 cups of coffee). Taking calcium supplements could help to compensate for calcium loss. Postmenopausal women who suffer from a genetic problem that impairs the body's use of vitamin D should use caffeine with caution. Vitamin D works with calcium to build bone.
  • Surgeries: Kola nut could affect blood sugar levels. There are concerns that this could affect the control of blood sugar levels during and after surgery. For this reason, you should stop taking kola nut products 2 weeks before upcoming operations.

Interactions

Kola nut should not be taken in combination with the following medications:

Amphetamines

Stimulants such as amphetamines accelerate the function of the nervous system. By accelerating the function of the nervous system, stimulants can cause a feeling of inner restlessness and speed up the heartbeat. The caffeine contained in kola nuts could also accelerate the function of the nervous system. Consumption of kola nut products in combination with stimulants could cause serious problems including accelerated heart rate and high blood pressure. For this reason, kola nut products should not be consumed in combination with stimulants.

Cocaine

Stimulants such as cocaine accelerate the function of the nervous system. By accelerating the function of the nervous system, stimulants can cause a feeling of inner restlessness and speed up the heartbeat. The caffeine contained in kola nuts could also accelerate the function of the nervous system. Consuming kola nut products in combination with stimulants could cause serious problems including accelerated heart rate and high blood pressure. For this reason, kola nut products should not be consumed in combination with stimulants.

Ephedrine

Stimulants accelerate the function of the nervous system. The caffeine and ephedrine contained in kola nuts are both stimulants. Taking kola nut products in combination with ephedrine can cause excessive stimulation and sometimes serious side effects and heart problems. For this reason, kola nut products and ephedrine should not be taken at the same time. Care should be taken when combining kola nut products with the following medications:

Alcohol

The body breaks down the caffeine contained in kola nut in order to be able to excrete it. Alcohol can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Consuming alcohol in conjunction with kola nut products can increase the risk of caffeine side effects including shakiness, headaches, increased heart rate and more.

Antibiotics (quinolone antibiotics)

The body breaks down the caffeine contained in kola nuts in order to excrete it. Some antibiotics can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking these antibiotics in combination with caffeine can increase the risk of caffeine side effects including shakiness, headaches, increased heart rate and others.

Clozapine

The body breaks down clozapine in order to excrete it. The caffeine contained in kola nut appears to reduce the rate at which the body breaks down clozapine. Taking kola nut products in combination with clozapine could increase the effects and side effects of clozapine.

Dipyridamole

The caffeine contained in cola nut could block the effects of dipyridamole. Dipyridamole is often used by doctors to perform a test of the heart called a cardiac stress test. Due to the possible interactions, you should stop consuming kola nut products and other caffeine-containing products at least 24 hours before such a test.

Disulfiram

The body breaks down the caffeine contained in kola nut in order to be able to excrete it. Disulfiram can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking disulfiram in conjunction with kola nut products may increase the risk of caffeine side effects including shakiness, headaches, increased heart rate and more.

Estrogens

The body breaks down the caffeine contained in kola nut in order to excrete it. Estrogen can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking estrogen in combination with caffeine could cause shakiness, headaches, rapid heartbeat and other side effects. For this reason, you should limit your caffeine intake if you are taking estrogens.

Fluvoxamine

The body breaks down the caffeine contained in kola nuts in order to excrete it. Fluvoxamine can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking fluvoxamine in combination with kola nut products can increase the effects and side effects of caffeine.

Lithium

The caffeine contained in kola nut may increase the rate at which the body excretes lithium. If you are taking products that contain caffeine and are taking lithium, you should slowly reduce your intake of caffeine-containing products. Stopping caffeine intake too quickly can increase the side effects of lithium.

Medication for depression (monoamine oxidase inhibitors / MAOI)

The kola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine can stimulate the body. Some medications used for depression can also stimulate the body. Consuming kola nut products in conjunction with these medications could result in excessive stimulation. This could cause serious side effects including rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, nervousness and more.

Nicotine

Stimulants such as nicotine accelerate the function of the nervous system. By accelerating the function of the nervous system, stimulants can cause a feeling of restlessness and speed up the heartbeat. The caffeine contained in kola nuts could also accelerate the function of the nervous system. Consuming kola nut products in combination with stimulants could cause serious problems including accelerated heart rate and high blood pressure. For this reason, kola nut products should not be consumed in combination with stimulants.

Pentobarbital

The stimulant effect of the caffeine contained in kola nut can block the sleep-inducing effects of pentobarbital.

Phenylpropanolamine

The caffeine contained in kola nuts can stimulate the body. Phenylpropanolamine can also stimulate the body. The consumption of kola nut products in combination with the intake of phenylpropanolamine could result in excessive stimulation and increase the heart rate, raise blood pressure and cause nervousness.

Riluzole

The body breaks down riluzole in order to be able to excrete it. The consumption of kola nut products can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down riluzole and thus increase the effects and side effects of riluzole.

Theophylline

The kola nut contains caffeine. Caffeine acts in a similar way to theophylline. In addition, caffeine can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down theophylline. Consuming kola nut products in conjunction with taking theophylline may increase the effects and side effects of theophylline

Verapamil

The body breaks down the caffeine contained in kola nut in order to be able to excrete it. Verapamil can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking verapamil in combination with kola nut products may increase the risk of caffeine side effects including shakiness, headaches, increased heart rate and others. Care should be taken when combining kola nut products with the following medications:

Adenosine

The caffeine contained in kola nut may block the effects of adenosine. Adenosine is often used by doctors to perform a test of the heart called a cardiac stress test. Due to the possible interactions, you should stop consuming kola nut products at least 24 hours before such a test.

Birth control pill

The body breaks down the caffeine contained in kola nuts in order to be able to excrete it. The contraceptive pill can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. The consumption of caffeine in combination with the contraceptive pill can cause shakiness, headaches, rapid heartbeat and other side effects.

Cimetidine

The body breaks down the caffeine contained in kola nuts in order to be able to excrete it. Cimetidine can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking cimetidine in conjunction with kola nut products may increase the risk of caffeine side effects including shakiness, headaches, increased heart rate and others.

Fluconazole

The body breaks down the caffeine contained in kola nut in order to excrete it. Fluconazole can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking fluconazole in conjunction with kola nut products may increase the risk of caffeine side effects including shakiness, headaches, increased heart rate and others.

Diabetes medication

The caffeine contained in kola nut may increase blood sugar levels. Diabetes medications are used to lower blood sugar levels. By increasing blood sugar levels, kola nut products could reduce the effectiveness of diabetes medication. For this reason, blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Mexiletine

The body breaks down the caffeine contained in kola nuts in order to be able to excrete it. Mexiletine can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking mexiletine in conjunction with kola nut products may increase the risk of caffeine side effects including shakiness, headaches, increased heart rate and others.

Terbinafine

The body breaks down the caffeine contained in kola nut in order to excrete it. Terbinafine can reduce the rate at which the body breaks down caffeine. Taking terbinafine in conjunction with kola nut products may increase the risk of caffeine side effects including shakiness, headaches, increased heart rate and others.