Health benefits of the Nigerian Yellow Monkey kola nut

I have always known these fruits only by their native name, which is Oyiya. So today, I am writing about the Monkey Kola nut fruit. Most West Africans are familiar with this fruit. Yesterday, I went to the market and purchased these fruits, and here I am writing about the health benefits. But before we go into that, what is Monkey Kola Nut fruit? Cola lateritia K. Schum, Cola tachycardia K. Schum, and Cola lepidota K. Schum are edible wild relatives of the West African kolanut commonly known as monkey kola. These are tropical fruits that are native to West and Central Africa and grow well in the wet forests there.

 

 

Let's look into the health benefits of the monkey Kola fruit (Oyiya fruit).

Yellow Monkey Kola is the most prevalent form of the African indigenous wild fruit known as monkey cola, which can be found surrounding homes and villages in southern Nigeria.
It is known as Ochiricha or Achicha in Igbo, Ndiyah in Ibibio, and Efik, and contains a variety of minerals and phytochemicals, including beta-carotene, vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, thiamine, flavonoids, alkaloids, saponins, tannins, fiber, other nutrients, and phytochemical characteristics.
These fruits contain a high concentration of vitamins, carbohydrates, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. It includes vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that are useful to human health in a variety of ways, including the following:

 

1. Lowers Body Cholesterol
Because of the presence of niacin (vitamin B3) known as nicotinic acid, this fruit helps to lower the level of bad cholesterol, also known as low-density lipoprotein, and boosts high-density lipoprotein, which is the good cholesterol. Scientists put niacin and satin (cholesterol control) through the same tests to see how they affected cholesterol. The results of an experiment on the effect of niacin on body cholesterol have been studied by scientists. It shows that niacin decreased the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the blood while increasing the amount of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) more than satin.

2. Improves Heart Health
Because it is high in flavonoids, which are metabolites that are important for heart health, cola parchycarpa can help lower the risk of heart disease when it is eaten in moderation.
Clinical studies have revealed that flavonoids have certain heart-health benefits. They have been found to protect against coronary artery disorders, which cause heart damage and cardiac injuries.


3. Preserves bone health
Yellow monkey kola has important mineral elements that help support strong bones, protein synthesis, and the right functioning of the body's most important cells, organs, tissues, and overall growth and development.
Adequate mineral consumption, particularly those found naturally in fruits such as yellow monkey kola, can reduce the risk of bone loss, particularly in women.
Some of the nutrients in this fruit, like calcium and potassium, work with other nutrients, like protein and vitamin D, to make it less likely that osteoporosis will cause bones to break.

4. Maintains the health of the gastrointestinal tract

 

Yellow monkey kola, also known as cola parchycarpa, provides soluble fiber, which contributes to the health of the gastrointestinal tract. Yellow monkey kola contains soluble fiber, which protects the hollow organs that link the mouth, intestine (large and small), oesophagus, and anus. This means that the impact begins with intake and ends with egestion.

 

5. Aids in Weight Control

 

Monkey kola is a local fruit that contains critical nutrients and is most recommended for weight loss and control. It contains fiber, which helps to control body weight by balancing calorie intake with calorie loss. Because of its minimal calorie effect, it is an excellent weight-loss diet. Nutritionists have discovered that fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber and low in calories are the best for weight loss. According to their findings, taking just 30 grams of fiber each day can aid in weight loss.

 

 

6. Enhances Skin Health

 

The beta-carotene in this yellow monkey cola helps keep your skin healthy and gives it a nice glow.

 

This beta-carotene is a provitamin A carotenoid and a powerful antioxidant that makes skin healthier by repairing and protecting damaged skin cells.

 

It protects the skin from aging effects like wrinkles by acting as an antioxidant.

 

 

7. Improves Eye Health

 

The beta-carotene in the apple is converted by the body into vitamin A, which helps keep the eyes healthy for greater vision.

 

Vitamin A is a naturally occurring vitamin that is found in yellow monkey kola. It is important for improving vision and preventing eye problems caused by a lack of vitamin A.

 

8. Helps with Body Metabolism

 

Riboflavin, often called vitamin B2, is found in the fruit and aids in the metabolism of fats and proteins in the body.

 

Vitamin B-2 is a water-soluble vitamin that is very important for normal metabolic processes, especially those that break down carbs into sugar for energy.

Yellow Monkey Kola's Nutritional Values

 

Yellow monkey kola is high in essential compounds, which are nutrients that aid in the regulation of many chemical processes in the body. Another reason why this fruit is good is that it contains important nutrients that the body doesn't make enough of.

 

Vitamins like B and C, minerals like potassium, calcium, and beta-carotene, and amino acids are among the nutrients found in this fruit. It also has a high antioxidant content, is low in calories, and contains no fat.

 

Monkey Kola vs. Types

 

Kola lepidota is the botanical name for the yellow type of monkey kola, whereas Kola parchycarpa is the term for the white monkey kola fruit.

 

The yellow monkey kola fruit, on the other hand, has more nutritional and therapeutic properties than the red and white monkey kola varieties.

 

The edible component of the follicle of White Monkey Kola, sometimes known as tachycardia, has a waxy mesocarp. This variety of monkey kola fruit has a fruit sweetness that is quite noticeable.

 

The botanical name for Red Monkey Kola is cola lateritia, and it contains a reddish exocarp with a white seed inside. Like other varieties, it has a variety of therapeutic characteristics and health benefits.

Seed of the Yellow Monkey, Kola Nut

This fruit's seed is oblong and slightly flattened, and it is surrounded by two flattened surfaces called the mesocarp. The fruit of the monkey kola tree is good for your health and well-being in many ways. However, the seeds are not as tasty as the fruit.

 
As a natural remedy
It has been utilized as a natural cure for various ailments that can interfere with a healthy life for ages. Other benefits that come from it tend to improve health and the way people live in general. Micronutrients with low caloric, protective, and nutritional effects are abundant in Cola parchycarpa.