Kola nut
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224539725
2008-07-09T09:07:13Z
86.163.75.113
/* Uses */
{{Taxobox
| name = Kola Nut
| image = kolanut.jpg
| image_width = 240px
| image_caption = Kola Nut — pod and seeds
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Malvales]]
| familia = [[Malvaceae]]
| subfamilia = [[Sterculioideae]]
| genus = '''''Cola'''''
| genus_authority = [[Heinrich Wilhelm Schott|Schott]] & [[Stephan Ladislaus Endlicher|Endl.]]
| subdivision_ranks = Species
| subdivision =
;Selected species
* ''[[Cola acuminata]]''
* ''[[Cola anomala]]''
* ''[[Cola attiensis]]''
* ''[[Cola boxiana]]''
* ''[[Cola bracteata]]''
* ''[[Cola cecidiifolia]]''
* ''[[Cola clavata]]''
* ''[[Cola duparquetiana]]''
* ''[[Cola gigantea]]''
* ''[[Cola gigas]]''
* ''[[Cola glabra]]''
* ''[[Cola heterophylla]]''
* ''[[Cola hypochrysea]]''
* ''[[Cola letestui]]''
* ''[[Cola lizae]]''
* ''[[Cola lourougnonis]]''
* ''[[Cola lukei]]''
* ''[[Cola metallica]]''
* ''[[Cola mossambicensis]]''
* ''[[Cola nigerica]]''
* ''[[Cola nitida]]''
* ''[[Cola octoloboides]]''
* ''[[Cola pachycarpa]]''
* ''[[Cola philipi-jonesii]]''
* ''[[Cola porphyrantha]]''
* ''[[Cola praeacuta]]''
* ''[[Cola reticulata]]''
* ''[[Cola scheffleri]]''
* ''[[Cola semecarpophylla]]''
* ''[[Cola suboppositifolia]]''
* ''[[Cola umbratilis]]''
* ''[[Cola usambarensis]]''
* ''[[Cola vera]]''
* ''[[Cola verticillata]]''
}}
'''Kola nut''' ('''''Cola''''') is a genus of about 125 species of [[tree]]s native to the tropical [[rainforest]]s of [[Africa]], classified in the family [[Malvaceae]], subfamily [[Sterculioideae]] (or treated in the separate family [[Sterculiaceae]]). It is related to the [[South America]]n genus ''Theobroma'' ([[Cacao]]). They are [[evergreen]] trees, growing to 20 m tall, with glossy ovoid [[leaf|leaves]] up to 30 cm long.
== Uses ==
[[Image:Koeh-190.jpg|thumb|left|''Cola acuminata'']]
The kola nut has a bitter flavor and contains [[caffeine]]. It is chewed in many [[West Africa]]n cultures, individually or in a group setting. It is often used ceremonially, presented to tribal chiefs or presented to guests. Chewing kola nut can ease hunger pangs. Frequent chewing of the kola nut can also lead to stained teeth. Among the urban youth of West Africa, kola nut is becoming less popular.
Kola was used to make [[cola]] [[soft drink]]s, though today most of these mass-produced beverages use artificial flavourings. Some exceptions are [[A.G. Barr plc|Barr]]'s [[Red Kola]], [[Red Bull|Red Bull]]'s new [[Red Bull Cola|Simply Cola]], Harboe Original Taste Cola, [[Foxon Park|Foxon Park Kola]], Blue Sky Organic Cola, Whole Foods Market 365 Cola, [[Sprecher Brewery|Sprecher's]] Puma Kola, Virgil's Real Cola,and [[Cricket Cola]], the latter being made from kola nuts and [[green tea]]. In [[2007]], [[United Kingdom]] [[supermarket]] [[Tesco]] introduced an ''American Premium Cola'' that uses kola nuts, spices and [[vanilla]].
Outside Africa, some species are cultivated for their nuts in [[Indonesia]], [[Brazil]], [[Jamaica]] and elsewhere in the humid tropics. It's an ingredient of the [[Cola Cao]], too.
Kola nuts are often used to treat [[Pertussis|whooping cough]] and [[Asthma|asthma]]. The caffeine present acts as a [[bronchodilator]], expanding the [[bronchial]] air passages.<br clear = left>
== Pharmacological effects ==
Kola nuts are used mainly for their [[stimulant]] and [[Euphoria (emotion)|euphoriant]] qualities. They have effects similar to other [[xanthine]]-containing herbs like [[cocoa]], [[tea]], [[coffee]], [[guarana]] and [[yerba mate]]. However, the effects are distinctively different, producing a stronger state of euphoria and well being. They have stimulant effects on the central nervous system and heart. Animal experiments indicate that kola nuts have [[analeptic]] and lipolytic (fat-burning) properties, and stimulate the secretion of gastric juices. Human studies show kola nuts have positive [[chronotropic]] and weak [[diuretic]] effects. In humans it enhances alertness and physical energy, elevates mood, increases [[tactile]] sensitivity, suppresses the appetite and is used in [[Africa]] as an [[aphrodisiac]]. Autonomic changes include increased body temperature, increased blood pressure and increased respiratory rate. Effects may last up to 6 hours after ingestion.{{Fact|date=February 2008}}
== Chemical composition ==
* [[caffeine]] (2- 3.5 %)
* [[theobromine]] (1.0-2.5%)
* [[theophylline]]
* [[catechine]]
* [[epicatechine]]
* [[D-catechine]]
* [[phenolics]]
* [[phlobaphens]]
* [[Kola red]]
* [[betaine]]
* [[protein]]
* [[starch]]
* [[fat]]
* [[thiamine]]
* [[riboflavin]]
* [[niacin]]
* [[ascorbic acid]]
* [[betaine]]
* [[sugar]]
* [[gum]]
* [[cellulose]]
* [[water]]
* [[calcium]]
* [[potassium]]
* [[iron]]
* [[beta-carotene]]
* [[tannic acid]]
== Safety issues ==
Kola nuts contain high amounts of N-[[nitroso]] compounds which are [[carcinogenic]]. In [[Nigeria]], where the chewing of Kola nuts is a common practice, there is a high incidence of oral and gastrointestinal [[cancer]] which may be related to this habit.{{Fact|date=April 2008}}
== History ==
The use of the kola nut, like the [[coffee berry]] and [[tea leaf]], appears to have ancient origins. It is chewed in many West African cultures, individually or in a social setting, to restore vitality and ease hunger pangs.
In 1911, kola became the focus of one of the earliest documented health scares when the US government seized 40 barrels and 20 kegs of [[Coca-Cola]] syrup in [[Chattanooga, Tennessee]], alleging that the caffeine in its drink was "injurious to health". On [[March 13]], [[1911]], the government initiated the ''[[United States v. Forty Barrels and Twenty Kegs of Coca-Cola]]'', hoping to force Coca-Cola to remove caffeine from its formula by making exaggerated claims, such as that the excessive use of Coca-Cola at one girls' school led to "wild nocturnal freaks, violations of college rules and female proprieties, and even immoralities." Although the judge ruled in favor of [[Coca-Cola]], two bills were introduced to the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. House of Representatives]] in 1912 to amend the [[Pure Food and Drug Act]], adding [[caffeine]] to the list of "habit-forming" and "deleterious" substances which must be listed on a product's label.
== Literary and film references ==
Ceremonial sharing of the kola nut plays an important role in [[Chinua Achebe]]'s 1958 novel ''[[Things Fall Apart]]''.
In the movie ''[[Tears of the Sun]]'', the refugees give the SEALs a drink with kola nut to help them stay awake.
In Dorothy Dunnett's "House of Niccolo" series, Nicholas de Fluery samples the kola nut often in his adventures in Africa.
In Mariama Bâ's novel ''[[So Long a Letter]]'', Ramatoulaye remarks on a girl's teeth that have been "reddened by cola nuts". (pg 8)
In Chris Abani's novel ''[[Grace Land]]'', the motif of kola nuts provide an important symbolic message preceding several chapters.
The kidnapper asks for 10,000 kola nuts for ransom at the beginning of the song "Enfilade" by At the Drive-In.
== References ==
* [http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?2786 Germplasm Resources Information Network: ''Cola'']
* [http://www.igboguide.org/index.php?l=chapter8 Kola Nut Tradition in Igboland (South-East Nigeria): ''Kola Nut Tradition'']
* Benjamin, LT Jr; Rogers AM, Rosenbaum A (1991 Jan). "Coca-Cola, caffeine, and mental deficiency: Harry Hollingworth and the Chattanooga trial of 1911". J Hist Behav Sci 27 (1): 42–55. PMID 2010614.
* Jarvis, Gail (May 21, 2002). The Rise and Fall of Cocaine Cola. Retrieved on 2006-08-19.
* James A. Duke (2001). Handbook of Nuts.
* Katherine Kim (2001). Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine.
* Mariama Bâ, "''So Long a Letter''"
[[Category:Cola (genus)]]
[[Category:Sterculiaceae]]
[[Category:Herbal and fungal stimulants]]
[[Category:Edible nuts and seeds]]
[[da:Kolanød]]
[[de:Kolanuss]]
[[es:Nuez de kola]]
[[fr:Noix de kola]]
[[ko:콜라나무]]
[[io:Kola]]
[[id:Kola]]
[[it:Cola (genere)]]
[[he:אגוז קולה]]
[[nl:Kolanoot]]
[[ja:コーラ (植物)]]
[[pl:Kola (roślina)]]
[[pt:Noz de cola]]
[[ru:Кола (растение)]]
[[sl:Kola]]
[[uk:Кола (дерево)]]