According to healthline The Bitter Kola tree, or Garcinia kola, is endemic to the tropical regions of West and Central Africa. For its healing abilities, it has long been used as a standard component of alternative medicine. As far as medicinal uses go, bitter kola has been linked to alleviating inflammation, strengthening the immune system, and even curing respiratory problems. High blood pressure, a disease that affects millions of individuals around the world, can also be treated with this herb. Nonetheless, the use of bitter kola for hypertension has been met with considerable skepticism. This article will discuss whether or not bitter kola is safe for those who already have hypertension.
What exactly is hypertension, or high blood pressure?
According to webmd, Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a frequent health issue caused by an excessive force of blood against the artery walls. Heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease are just a few of the serious conditions that can result from this. A "silent killer," high blood pressure typically shows no signs until it has reached a dangerous stage.
Just what is bitter kola?
The Garcinia kola tree produces fruit that contains a nut known as bitter kola. It is widely used in West and Central African traditional medicine for the treatment of a wide range of conditions, from respiratory and digestive disorders to hypertension. Caffeine, theobromine, and flavonoids are just a few of the active substances found in bitter kola, all of which have been linked to potential health benefits.
In what ways does bitter kola influence blood pressure?
Studies on the effects of bitter kola on hypertension are scant. Yet, there is preliminary evidence that bitter kola can help lower blood pressure. Journal of Ethnopharmacology released a study in 2015 showing that bitter kola extract lowered blood pressure in hypertensive rats. Researchers found that bitter kola showed promise as a therapy for hypertension.
Similarly, bitter kola was found to reduce blood pressure in people in a study published in the Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. Thirty-two people with hypertension were given bitter kola extract for four weeks in the trial. Study participants' systolic and diastolic blood pressure dropped noticeably after taking bitter kola extract, the researchers observed.
Further research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of bitter kola for persons with hypertension, as these studies were conducted only on animals and a small number of humans.
Is there any evidence that bitter kola is harmful to those with hypertension?
The benefits of bitter kola for hypertension are still being researched, but it is crucial to remember that it is not a replacement for standard medical care. Before trying bitter kola or any other natural cure for high blood pressure, people should first talk to their doctor.
Caffeine, which is present in bitter kola, has been shown to raise blood pressure in certain individuals. Coffee contains caffeine, which is a stimulant that has been shown to elevate heart rate and blood pressure. It is recommended that people with hypertension limit their caffeine intake, and for some people, bitter kola may contain too much caffeine to be safe.
The drugs used to treat high blood pressure may interact with bitter kola. When combined with blood pressure medicine, bitter kola may hasten the drug's impact and cause a potentially fatal reduction in blood pressure. If you are currently on medicine for high blood pressure, talk to your doctor before starting to use bitter kola.
Also, some people have negative effects from bitter kola such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. There is also the risk of allergic responses. Do not consume bitter kola if you have a nut allergy.