Kola Nut Supplements

This is a large brown nut containing caffeine of two trees from the cocoa family. Grown natively in Africa, they are chewed to reduce feelings of hunger and aid digestion.

Today in our western society, it is included in modern "best fat burners" for it's weight loss properties, however, research have found concerns with it's overall affect on the body and health. Most research completed focus on it's health effects, rather on its ability to induce fat loss.

Research Title: Widespread tannin intake via stimulants and masticatories, especially guarana, kola nut, betel vine, and accessories.

Year Published: 1992

Research Summary: Tannin has been recognised as a dietary carcinogen and anti-nutrient that interfere with the body's ability to absorb protein. Kola nut along with other dietary supplements such as guarana and betel nut have been found to contain tannin.

National Library of Medicine: Morton JF. Widespread tannin intake via stimulants and masticatories, especially guarana, kola nut, betel vine, and accessories. Basic Life Sci. 1992;59:739-65. Abstract

Research Title: Induction of the procarcinogen-activating CYP1A2 by a herbal dietary supplement in rats and humans.

Year Published: 2003

Research Summary: A herbal dietary supplement called FastONE (weight management supplement) which contains kola nut, grape, green tea and gingko biloba was observed to find out if it induced a procarcinogen-activating enzyme. They found that when human particpants took 2 and 4 capsules over 3 days, the activity of this enzyme increased to 194 and 203% respectively. These are levels higher than those observed when individuals smoke (179%). Researchers concluded that long term use of the supplement could increase the incidence of colorectal and lung cancer.

Ryu,-S-D; Chung,-W-G Induction of the procarcinogen-activating CYP1A2 by a herbal dietary supplement in rats and humans. Food-Chem-Toxicol. 2003 Jun; 41(6): 861-6 Abstract

Conclusions:

While this extract may have some fat burning qualities, it is likely that this is derived from its caffeine content. There is very little research done into its efficacy in inducing weight loss, the only exception being a paper published in the International Journal of Obesity in 2002 which observed the affects of a Ma Huang and Kola nut supplement. While they did observe that the supplement induced body weight reduction and fat loss, this can be attributed to the ephedra (ma huang) which has been shown in other studies to have this affect.

The more pressing issue however, is that there seems to be real cancer-related concerns with atleast the tannin in this extract. Long term use could have significant affects on overall health, and it is for this reason, that I would caution you in the use of these supplements.

Top of Kola Nut Page

Diet & Fitness Tips

If you found this useful, get great diet recipes, fat burning exercises and other articles like this article in the weekly diet & fitness newsletter. Sign up now so that you don't forget.