Bitter Kola also is known as Garcinia kola, is a multipurpose tree found mostly in the tropical rain forest region of Central and West Africa.

This highly sourced species is called “wonder plant” because every part of it such as the seeds, stem, and leaves has been used for medicinal purposes over decades.

One study found that Garcinia kola acts as anti-bacteria, anti-virus, and provides protection against cancer among other diseases.

The most valued product of the tree is the seeds, which are commonly chewed by rural and urban populations of the African region to avoid and treat gastric problems.

Garcinia kola has several health benefits including curing a good number of sicknesses.

What sickness does bitter kola cure?
There is vast evidence that bioactive components of the seeds can serve as an alternative medicine to treat and cure severe diseases or ailments such as…

Diabetes
The effect of garcinia kola on diabetes is quite astounding. Findings have it that bitter kola can regulate blood sugar levels in the blood by reducing and normalizing it.
Consuming Bitter Kola seed significantly ameliorates hyperglycemia-mediated damage by decreasing the blood glucose level, enhancing the antioxidant system, inhibiting lipid peroxidation, and improving complications of diabetes mellitus.
This therapy is likely to be most effective in the early stage of diabetes as a severe state might require the services of health experts.

Malaria
Over the years, traditional healers have been recommending bitter kola to their patients as a treatment for some ailments of which malaria is inclusive.
Experimental studies backed up this fact in their finding that the chemical constituents in bitter kola have anti-malaria properties and can do wonders if two or three (with some water) of the seeds are chewed when signs arise.
In addition, the stem, bark, and seeds of garcinia kola are used to treat acute fever, inflammation of the respiratory tract, and throat infections.

Weak immune system
Bitter kola has a high amount of antioxidants. This high amount of antioxidants found in bitter kola does not only help fight bacteria and other illnesses but also helps the body to increase its immunity levels.

Also, when the immunity level of the body is increased, it becomes strong enough to fight against any foreign contaminant.

Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition of increased pressure within the eyeball, causing a gradual loss of sight. Glaucoma could result in permanent blindness if left untreated.
However, garcinia kola has been found to be an amazing remedy for this ailment.
Researchers at Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Nigeria tested the effectiveness of eye drops that contained 0.5 percent extract of Bitter Kola.
The results of their study showed that the ophthalmic solution that contained the Garcinia kola significantly reduced eye pressure when used twice a day.
The study then recommended eating Bitter kola at least twice a day to ease eye pressure

Osteoarthritis
It has been observed that many arthritis sufferers prefer natural herbal medicines to other pain relievers and medications.
Studies were made and the researchers at Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria found that there is a positive effect of Garcinia kola against arthritis symptoms.
The results of the study concluded that Garcinia kola significantly reduce inflammation and pain and increased joint movement in subjects that had osteoarthritis symptoms.

Neutralizes Snake Poison
Snakes can commonly be found in rural areas or homes that are close to the bush part. People who live in rural areas are more likely to have an encounter with snakes or experience snake bites.
However, it is important to fumigate your environment regularly so as to keep snakes away.
In the case, the compound or surrounding welcomed a snake and you got bitten in the process, you could use bitter kola to neutralize the effect of the snake venom.
Chew 5-10 pieces of bitter kola immediately and within a few seconds, you will feel the need to urinate the poison out of the body. In addition, this method can also be effective for scorpion bites.

Helps to keep snakes away
Snakes could pose a serious health concern especially when they are creeping around the house and compound and you have got children around.
There are simple local methods you could use to totally eradicate snakes from coming around your homes.

One effective method is using grinded Bitter kola and maize to eradicate snakes from around the neighborhood. It doesn’t matter the species, kind, or size of the snake, just grind the bitter kola and mix it up with grinded maize.
Spread it around the areas you observed snakes frequently pass through or around the compound or around your house; snakes will keep their distance totally. Repeat this process at intervals of three days.

Food Poison
Bitter kola is anti-poisonous in nature, being that it helps in the prevention of bacterial infection caused as a result of food poisoning. The bark and seed of Garcinia kola when eaten together helps in the detoxification of the human system especially in cases of food poisoning.
It is recommendable to chew bitter kola immediately after eating contaminated food or suspected contaminated food.
Certain parts of the African countries have the belief that chewing and holding bitter Kola helps to drive away evil people and spirits.

Sore Throat
Bitter kola seeds can be chewed to clear a sore throat and throat hoarseness. Bitter kola clears the throat by boosting mucus production along the vocal tube lining, which helps to soften the dry throat.

Cough
Among other health ailments Garcinia kola can cure, cough is the most common one (NCBI). Allowing cough to persist for too long is not healthy and thus should be treated immediately signs are noticed.
To use the Bitter kola method in curing cough, blend 8-10 bitter kola nuts and scoop the paste in a clean container with a cover.

Get a half bottle of honey and add a considerable amount to the paste about a ratio of 5:1 and stir very well.
Allow staying for at least an hour to ferment. Then administer to your child or an adult three times daily, until symptoms of cough disappear.
This home remedy is very potent. Stay away from drinking cold or iced water during treatment.

Respiratory problem
The considerate amount of consumption of Bitter kola helps in strengthening and stabilizing lung tissue and maintain the respiratory tract.
Traditional healers use Bitter Kola to treat chest colds. It also has a favorably high antioxidant content for a healthy body.

Chewing at least one bitter kola seed at an interval of two to three days can help keep your respiratory health at bay.

As per the USDA, lettuce contains a high water content, as well as small amounts of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and sugars. The minerals and vitamins found in it include calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc along with B-vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, vitamin B6, and vitamins C, A, E, and K.

Carbs and Calories in Lettuce
As per Food Data Central, 100 grams of green leaf lettuce contains about 2.9 g of carbohydrates and 15 calories.

Health Benefits of Lettuce
For thousands of years, this leaf has been cultivated as more than a vegetable. It possesses several amazing health benefits, they include the following.

Anti-inflammatory Agent
Lettuce possesses anti-inflammatory properties that help in controlling inflammation. In experimental models, lettuce extracts have shown significant controlling power over inflammation induced by biocatalysts like lipoxygenase and carrageenan. More research is needed in this arena to bolster these results.

Close-up of fresh green lettuce leaves on a wooden table
Fresh lettuce adds a crisp crunch to salads and sandwiches. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Lettuce can be beneficial in lowering high cholesterol levels that often lead to cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and other dangerous conditions. High LDL cholesterol levels are harmful and can cause heart attack and stroke. A study was conducted on rodents to test the impact of lettuce consumption on fat and cholesterol.

The results indicated a significant reduction of cholesterol levels as compared to mice that weren’t fed lettuce. Lipid peroxidation was observed in most cases, which was concluded to be responsible for this form of cholesterol control. These results suggest that lettuce could be contributory as a method to reduce the risk factors of CVD.

Induces Sleep
One of the major traditional uses of lettuce in Unani medicine was as a sleep inducer. Research into the extracts of lettuce resulted in the isolation of a depressant chemical. This chemical, when administered in experimental animals, showed significant sedative effects.

A 2013 research report, suggests that the main component(s) responsible for this effect in lettuce is most likely to be the non-polar agent(s), which are found in the n-butanol fraction (NBF) of this plant. Decreased heart rate and ventricular contractions were also observed. This particular chemical acts by blocking the excitatory signal processes of muscular and neural tissues. The effects of lettuce on sleep are compared to those of diazepam.

Antioxidant Agent
Published in the journal Ancient Science of Life Journal, one study stated that lettuce possesses antioxidants with significant free radical-scavenging capabilities. Antioxidants are a wide range of biochemicals mostly found in our diet. They are also very necessary for human health and disease prevention.

Antioxidants act as barriers to free radicals, which are produced during cellular metabolism. These free radicals can attack healthy tissues, cells, and DNA inside them. Antioxidants, on the other hand, counteract these free radicals and neutralize them before the free radical attacks take place.

Health benefits of lettuce infographic
Lettuce is a healthy salad staple.

Antimicrobial Agent
The latex of lettuce possesses antimicrobial properties. When coming into contact with latex from lettuce, research has shown that Candida albicans and many other yeasts were completely deformed. Biochemicals that are considered to possess these antimicrobial properties are the terpenes and cardenolides, as well as enzymes like glucanases. Studies such as these have positive implications for the antimicrobial abilities of this vegetable.

Helps Relieve Anxiety
The neurological properties of lettuce, as mentioned earlier, have long been suggested during ancient times and the Middle Ages in medical treaties, such as the Unani system. A 2012 research paper published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease has led to the conclusion that lettuce possesses anxiolytic (anti-anxiety) properties. When lab animals were given lettuce extracts, their locomotive activity was reduced, suggesting implications in human populations. As per NIH, leafy greens such as lettuce are also positively associated with our cognitive health.

Simple Recipes
A few recipes are given below that can be easily tried at home.

Vegetable salad: Cut a tomato, cucumber, radish, carrot, red pepper, yellow pepper, and lettuce leaves. Add the cut vegetables to a bowl. Season with salt, pepper, a dash of olive oil, and lime juice. You can also try our Avocado Shrimp Salad With Zesty Lettuce Dressing here. You can also try our amazing fattoush salad recipe here – Fresh & Zingy Fattoush Salad Recipe.

Corn lettuce salad: Boil one cup of corn and let it cool. Cut some lettuce, onion, and tomato, and put it in a bowl. Add the boiled corn to this mixture. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, olive oil, and lime juice. You can add other vegetables like boiled baby potatoes, mushrooms, or peas, or even throw in some boiled chicken or fish.

Word of Caution: A study report published in the Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology, has shown that even lettuce can produce allergies, and the allergen proteins have been identified. Food allergies are the abnormal response of the immune system to certain types of food that the body recognizes as harmful. Food allergies that result in anaphylaxis are the worst kind and according to the Center for Disease Control, they are on the rise. People who already suffer from food allergies are generally at risk when trying new foods. So, a word of caution is advised while eating lettuce for the first time.

Coconut and palm oil are both edible, vegetable oils derived from palm fruits are also widely used in personal care.
Depending on the level of processing and type of the oil, the nutritional composition may vary.

Macronutrients and Calories
Edible oils are overall not very diverse in nutrients. Coconut oil contains very little water, while palm oil is completely absent in water.
Coconut and palm oil have equal serving sizes: one tablespoon of oil weighting 13.6g.

Calories
Vegetable oils are very high in calories. Coconut and palm oil contain similar amounts of calories, however, coconut oil is a little higher.
One serving size of coconut oil contains 121 calories, while palm oil has 120.

Fats
Edible oils consist mostly of fats. Coconut oil consists of 99% fats, whereas palm oil is nearly 100% fat. A serving size of coconut oil contains 13.5g of fats.
The fat in coconut oil consists of 91% saturated fatty acids. Next by portion is monounsaturated fat, and last, polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Palm oil contains a lot more of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, however, saturated fat still makes up the majority.
The fat composition changes for partially hydrogenated oils, as poly- and monounsaturated fats turn into saturated fat.

Protein and Carbohydrates
Coconut and palm oil contain no protein or carbohydrates.

Vitamins
Both oils contain only two vitamins: Vitamin K and vitamin E. Palm oil is much richer in both of these

Minerals
Coconut and palm oil contain only trace amounts of minerals as well. However, coconut oil is higher in iron and choline compared to palm oil. It also contains small amounts of zinc and calcium, whereas palm oil does not.

Glycemic Index
As both coconut oil and palm oil contain no carbohydrates, their glycemic indices are equal to 0.

Acidity
Raw coconut is alkaline, however, through heating and further processing coconut oil becomes acidic with an average pH of 3.5 to 5.5.

Palm oil is also slightly acidic with a pH value of 6.34 on average.

Another way to look at the acidity of a food is by looking at the potential renal acid load (PRAL), which shows the capacity of the food to produce bases or acids.

The PRAL value for both coconut oil and palm oil is 0, making these oils neutral.

WEIGHT LOSS
Both coconut and palm oil are very high in calories, due to their high fat content. One tablespoon of these oils contains around 120 calories.

Despite its high caloric value, coconut oil is often claimed to aid weight loss. Most research doesn’t support the idea that coconut oil can lead to weight loss when used on it’s own. Coconut oil could increase high density lipoproteins and decrease the total cholesterol/ high density lipoprotein ratio in men with obesity, when used as a part of a low calorie, balanced diet. However, many studies have concluded that there is not enough consistent evidence that coconut oil has beneficial effects on energy metabolism, satiety or weight loss.

Studies on the association between palm oil consumption and weight loss have not achieved significant results as well. There is also insufficient evidence to claim palm oil’s superior qualities over other vegetable oils in obesity management.

HEALTH IMPACT
In this section, we will discuss what effects coconut oil and palm oil have on human health and how these effects compare to each other.

Health Benefits
Cardiovascular Health
One meta analysis concluded that although coconut oil increases high density lipoproteins (also known as “good” cholesterol), that effect was not enough to make up for the negative effects caused by coconut oil’s property of raising low density lipoproteins (“bad” cholesterol). In contrast to this, another study found that daily consumption of moderate amounts of coconut oil raises high density lipoproteins and shows no significant harmful side effects.

Coconut oil also significantly increased total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations compared with palm oil, as well as other vegetable oils, due to the high saturated fat content.

However, in comparison to animal oils, coconut oil demonstrated more favourable changes in blood lipid profile, lowering low density lipoproteins. Virgin coconut oil performed the best results.

Some research, carried out on animals, has concluded that coconut oil is associated with an improvement in antioxidant activity, lipid profile, blood pressure, blood sugar and abdominal body fat. These effects still have to be studied in humans.

Meta analyses on the topic of palm oil consumption have concluded that it does not have incremental risks for cardiovascular disease or cardiovascular disease related mortality.

Diabetes
Multiple studies have found that coconut oil, especially virgin coconut oil, may ameliorate lipid profiles in diabetes mellitus type 2, as well as support normal glucose homeostasis and modulate the immune response. Virgin coconut oil may also be used as a functional food to prevent the development of diet-induced insulin resistance and associated complications, potentially due to its antioxidant qualities.

Some studies show that substitution with red palm oil as an antioxidant may reduce blood glucose in diabetic patients. However, others have not found significant effects of palm oil on biomarkers of glucose metabolism.

Cancer
Coconut oil has expressed antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic responses in tumor cells. Virgin coconut oil, as well as processed and fractionated coconut oil, have shown anticancer activities, especially against liver and oral cancer. Moreover, virgin coconut oil consumption during chemotherapy may also improve quality of life for breast cancer patients.

As for palm oil consumption and cancer correlation, there is no evidence associating palm oil intake and a higher risk of cancer, incidence or mortality in humans.

Downsides and Risks
Cardiovascular Health
American Heart Association has found that due to high saturated fats, coconut oil raises low density lipoproteins, which can pose a risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases (9).

The use of repeatedly heated palm oil, as well as other oils, is also a predisposing factor of atherosclerosis and the consequent cardiovascular issues.

Environmental Issues
The widespread palm oil production can cause environmental hazards that negatively affect not only nature but also our health. Large-scale palm oil production leads to deforestation, not only destroying the habitats of endangered species, but also leading to an increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, further contributing to climate change.

SUMMARY
In summary, coconut oil and palm oil are both high calorie foods, consisting mostly of fats. Coconut oil is a little higher in calories, while palm oil contains a little more fats. Both completely lack protein and carbohydrates and are low in micronutrients. However, coconut oil is relatively richer in minerals, whilst palm oil contains more vitamin E and vitamin K.

Research suggests that palm oil is a healthier choice than coconut oil when it comes to cardiovascular health, due to a lower saturated fat content. Both can have positive effects for people with diabetes type 2.

Overall, these oils can be healthy when used in moderation and as part of a healthy diet.
Source: foodstruct.com

Cassava is a plant that possesses an adequate amount of calories. In comparison to the flesh, cassava leaves are more beneficial. Along with the good taste, it also possesses various health benefits. Cassava leaves contain vitamins, proteins, minerals, and essential amino acids. The protein found in cassava leave helps to form body cells and constituent the enzyme system.

The availability of amino acids helps to modify the energy into carbohydrates. Amino acids help to recover skin wounds, helps us with a good memory, bone health, and the body’s metabolic system. The chlorophyll found in the leaves provides anticancer and antioxidant properties.

Health Benefits of Cassava Leaf
Cassava leaves are lower in calories. It provides the satiety effect. The cassava leaves assists in digestion and helps to overcome constipation. It also helps to relieve headaches, cold medicine, worms, rheumatism, ulcers, diarrhea, and enhance stamina. The various health benefits of cassava leaves are as follows:

Good for Pregnant women
The presence of high iron content in cassava leaves helps pregnant women to avoid anemia. The cassava leaves have a high amount of folate and Vitamin C. Due to the bland taste of cassava leaves, it should be cooked with vegetables or meat by chopping.

Helps to fight Kwashiorkor
The leaves of cassava are rich in lysine protein which helps to fight against the kwashiorkor which is caused due to protein deficiency. The leaves and tuber should be cooked and washed properly before eating because the presence of cyanogenic glucosides leads to cyanide poisoning and eyesight loss.

Treating fever and headache
The three pieces of cassava leaves should be finely ground. This helps to relieve the fever and headaches. In other methods, the root and leaves should be boiled by adding 80 grams of the stem, 400 grams of cassava leaves, and a liter of water. It should be heated till the water is reduced to half and then let cool down.

Treating diarrhea
Boil 7 cassava leaves in 4 cups of water till the 2 cups remain. This liquid should drink two times a day to cure diarrhea. By another method, a liter of water should be boiled and took off the heat. The freshly picked 10 cassava leaves should be made a paste in a mortar and pestle. It should be dropped in the hot water and cover. It should be steep overnight. This liquid should drink by straining the leaves in the morning. The rest liquid should be store in the fridge. It can be kept for three days.

Blurred eye view
The cassava leaves should be boiled with garlic and salt and this should be consumed as a salad with rice. The daily consumption of cassava leaves concoction also helps to treat blurred eyesight.

Increase Appetite
The boiled cassava leaves with garlic and salt should be consumed with tomato sauce and rice. The parts of cassava such as stems and tubers are also considered as traditional medicine. The cassava leaves help to restore the appetite. The concoction of cassava leaves with the ginger should drink every morning after waking up.

Treating Arthritis
Boil 100 grams of cassava stem, 15 grams of ginger, and stem lemongrass with 1000 cc of water till the 400cc remains. It should be drinking as 200cc by filtering two times a day in the morning and afternoon.

Treating worms
Boil cassava bark in 3 cups of water till 1 cup remains. It should be filtered and drink at bedtime. It helps to destroy the worms in the stomach and maintains a healthy body. The experiment performed on the young goats reports that the consumption of cassava leaves helps to reduce nematodes infestation. To eliminate this problem, either the cassava supplement or paste of cassava leaves could be consumed.

Taxable wound heat
The juice of cassava should be squeeze or shredded and apply the starch on the wound as an ointment.

Prevent premature aging
Sure, many people normally have reservations when it comes to plastic surgery or Botox injections; in some cases, they may consider this process harmful, but that is far away from the truth, especially when you have a professional such as Theunissen Aesthetic Plastic Surgery of Baton Rouge carry out the procedure.
Either way, cassava can also prevent pre-mature aging, though it’s a long-term process and not as effective as surgery.

Treating stroke
The study which has been conducted by experts shows that the cassava leaves helps to treat stroke because the cassava leaves possess isoflavone which is an effective substance.

Increase endurance
The presence of high vitamin C helps to enhance endurance. The consumption of cassava leaves helps to maintain personal hygiene by eliminating various diseases.

Increase stamina
Blend 25 grams of kencur, 100 grams of cassava, and 5 points of angco seed with enough water which helps to boost stamina.

Help treat rheumatic diseases
Cassava leaves possess a high amount of magnesium which helps to lower the blood pressure level and eliminates the risk of rheumatic diseases. It could be prepared by boiling 150 grams of cassava leaves, 15 grams of ginger root, some lemongrass, and salt. It should be boiled till it is about 400 ccs. The daily consumption of this liquid prevents rheumatic diseases.

Heals wounds
The presence of various nutrients helps to heal the injuries fast. In the little amount of Aloe Vera gel, add some crushed cassava leaves and make a paste. This paste should be applied to the wound.

Strengthens immunity
The cassava leaves contain a huge amount of Vitamin C and folate which helps to boost the immune system. Vitamin C helps to destroy bacteria and viruses. The cassava leaves also help to maintain bone health. The antioxidant helps to eradicate the free radicals in the body. Folate helps to enhance cell production by assisting in the genetic material for life and avoid DNA mutations.