Bitter kola is a tropical African nut that is well valued for its medicinal properties. It is used to treat ailments from cough to fever. It is also used to treat non-communicable chronic diseases such as liver disorders and bronchitis, as well as throat infections, head or chest colds, and even cough. And on a more flexible ground, it is also used as a chewing stick – as it is also very effective in teeth cleansing.

Although all its parts are actually used, depending on the need, it is the seeds that are mostly commonly chewed. They have a sharp and bitter flavor that eases into a slight sweetness as one chews it – and it is typically chewed raw.

The health benefits of bitter cola cannot be overemphasized. Here are the following:

• Ø It helps in fighting infections. Bitter cola can help fight coughs, bacterial infections, and infections relating to viruses. Chewing it upon the onset of infections helps fight the infection, mitigate, kill it and make you feel better more quickly.
   
• Ø It helps in fighting inflammations. In Africa, bitter cola is chewed to combat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis: inflammation of a joint or joints causing pain and/or disability, swelling and stiffness, and due to various causes such as infection, trauma, degenerative changes or metabolic disorders.

  Even those suffering from osteoarthritis: a form of arthritis, affecting mainly older people, caused by chronic degeneration of cartilage and synovial membrane of joints, leading to pain and stiffness – do well by showing reduced inflammation when they start chewing bitter cola. It is largely believed that the high level of potassium in bitter cola contributes to reducing inflammation.

• Ø It helps in protecting people from diabetes. Some studies suggest that there is a chemical found in bitter kola called “kolaviron” that protects against hypoglycemia – a condition of too low level of blood glucose.
• Ø Bitter cola enhances sex. Bitter cola is also a very workable and great enhancer of sexual ability, desire and even performance. Those who find it hard to last longer during sex or deliver to expectations usually chew bitter cola to revive and strengthen their sexual ability, and even boost their libido as well. Indeed, there is a lot to it than it merely being bitter.
• Ø Bitter cola is a feasible medicine in fighting stomachaches. When chewed, it helps in suppressing the stomachache.
• Ø Bitter cola also improves the function of the lungs – strengthens them. It achieves this by improving the ventilation levels of the lungs. Some studies believe that it cures asthma.
• Ø It strengthens the immune system. This is due to its high concentration in antioxidants. Those antioxidants help in fighting free radicals in the body. Hence, it boosts the immune system.
• Ø It helps in remedying malaria. Bitter cola is largely believed to be a cure for malaria due to its high antioxidant “kolaviron” that exhibits antimalarial properties.

Bitter cola fights glaucoma – a condition that increases pressure within the eyeball, causing loss of sight, and can result in permanent blindness if left untreated. It accomplishes this by reducing the pressure in the eye for newly diagnosed patients.