Do you eat bitter kola in pregnancy? If you also take it to boost fertility, there is something that you should know.
Indeed, we know that sometimes, pregnant women tend to spit a lot. In fact, some carry containers about which they spit into.
Sadly, some have heard that bitter Kola helps lower that nausea feeling that triggers the spittle. They go ahead to buy bitter kola and eat.
If you are a woman who likes to eat bitter kola, there is something that you should know about that habit.
This article contains valuable knowledge, especially as it will help you know when is the right time to eat bitter kola.
In fact, eating it in pregnancy is delicate and here is why.
Bitter kola (Garcinia kola) is a fruit native to West Africa and people eat it because of its medicinal properties.
Bitter kola contains different compounds that make them delicate during pregnancy (1).
Eating Bitter Kola In Pregnancy
First, it contains caffeine and certain chemical compounds that may have stimulant effects.
For instance, excessive caffeine intake during pregnancy has been associated with an increased risk of certain complications. One of such is low birth weight and preterm birth (2).
The study says that caffeine exposure during sensitive windows of pregnancy may induce epigenetic changes in the developing fetus. Furthermore, it could affect the germ cells to cause adult-onset diseases in subsequent generations.
No one wants to give birth to a child that eventually falls victim of heart issues.
In fact, a whole lot of things could go wrong when you take bitter kola in pregnancy.
Further studies report different things that could happen if you eat bitter kola during pregnancy.
One study says it is possible to lose your pregnancy if you take bitter kola when you are pregnant.
According to the animal study, there was a significant decrease in the weight of foetuses.
Also, the study says foetuses from pregnant rats treated for a short period of five days of gestation had malformed left upper limb.
The study further suggests that bitter kola seed at 200 mg/kg body weight could inhibit ovulation and make it difficult for a woman to get pregnant.
Imagine eating bitter kola few days to ovulation. There are chances that the ovulation will not happen as it should.
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The animal study says it could alter oestrous cycle in rats. As a result, it partly inhibits ovulation and may produce duration dependent teratogenicity in foetuses (3).
Bitter Kola As Male Kola
You see, bitter kola is often referred to as male kola and that speaks a lot as to who this kola is good for.
Although, there are studies that say that when you take it in high doses, it could affect male fertility.
Moderation is key in the use of these things.
However, for a woman who is trying to conceive and want to get the benefit of bitter kola in preparing the body for pregnancy, the best time to take bitter kola will be two to three days to period flow.
This is because a study identified it as contraceptives (4).
After that period, it will be delicate to consume this seed.
Interestingly, one of the things we do here is study plants, seeds, fruits and different things that are helpful for pregnancy and general wellness.