The Surprising Health Benefits of Bitter Kola and Milk for Men

The Surprising Health Benefits of Bitter Kola and Milk for Men

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition where the force of blood against the artery walls is too high, which can damage the heart, blood vessels, and other organs. 

Bitter kola, also known as Garcinia kola, is a tropical plant native to Africa that has been used for centuries for its medicinal and nutritional properties. It has a bitter taste, but many people enjoy chewing its seeds or drinking its extract for its health benefits. One of these benefits is lowering blood pressure, which is a common problem for many men around the world.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a condition where the force of blood against the artery walls is too high, which can damage the heart, blood vessels, and other organs. It can increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and other serious complications. According to the World Health Organization, about 1.13 billion people worldwide have hypertension, and it is a major cause of death and disability.

There are many factors that can contribute to high blood pressure, such as genetics, age, lifestyle, diet, stress, and medications. Some of the common ways to prevent or treat high blood pressure are exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, reducing salt and alcohol intake, quitting smoking, and taking prescribed drugs. However, some of these drugs can have side effects, such as cough, dizziness, headache, fatigue, or erectile dysfunction.

This is where bitter kola and milk come in. Recent studies have shown that these two natural ingredients can work together to lower blood pressure effectively and safely, without causing any adverse effects. Here is how they do it:

Bitter kola contains a powerful antioxidant called kolaviron, which can protect the blood vessels from oxidative stress and inflammation, which are two of the main causes of high blood pressure. Kolaviron can also relax the smooth muscles of the blood vessels, which can improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure.

Milk contains a protein called casein, which can bind to a hormone called angiotensin II, which is responsible for constricting the blood vessels and raising blood pressure. By blocking this hormone, milk can help lower blood pressure and prevent its complications.

Bitter kola and milk can also provide other nutrients that can support cardiovascular health, such as potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and vitamin C. These nutrients can help regulate the fluid and electrolyte balance, strengthen the bones and teeth, boost the immune system, and prevent anemia .

The evidence for the benefits of bitter kola and milk for high blood pressure comes from both animal and human studies. For example, a study by Nigerian researchers found that a combination of kolaviron and lisinopril (a common antihypertensive drug) led to significant reductions in blood pressure in rats with induced hypertension. This included up to a 27 percent reduction in systolic blood pressure, a 24 percent reduction in diastolic blood pressure, and a 22 percent reduction in mean arterial pressure. The researchers also observed that the combination improved the function and structure of the heart, kidneys, and liver of the rats.

Another study by Cameroonian researchers found that bitter kola supplementation in patients with high normal or grade 1 hypertension (systolic blood pressure of 140 to 159 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure of 90 to 99 mmHg) was safe and effective in lowering their blood pressure. The study involved 25 adult patients who consumed two seeds (each weighing 10 grams) of bitter kola every morning before breakfast and were followed up for 30 days. The results showed that the median systolic blood pressure decreased from 136 mmHg to 123 mmHg, while the diastolic blood pressure decreased from 84 mmHg to 76 mmHg at Day 30. No serious adverse effects were observed. The study was published in the 2021 edition of the Journal of Integrative Cardiology.

The researchers concluded that bitter kola could be a potential alternative or complementary therapy for high blood pressure, especially in countries where access to modern drugs is limited or expensive. They also suggested that further studies are needed to confirm the optimal dose, duration, and mechanism of action of bitter kola for hypertension.

If you are interested in trying bitter kola and milk for your blood pressure, you should consult your doctor first, especially if you have any medical conditions or allergies, or if you are taking any medications. You should also monitor your blood pressure regularly and follow your doctor’s advice on lifestyle and diet changes. Bitter kola and milk may not be a magic bullet, but they can be a natural and tasty way to improve your health and sleep quality.