Palm wine lowers blood sugar, cholesterol, supports heart health
Palm wine is the sap of a palm tree (family Palmeae) obtained as the fermentation product of a 24-hour tapping. Palm wine contains potassium, which has been proven by research to improve heart health and reduce hypertension.
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Palm wine contains Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin. Riboflavin helps in the fight against free radicals.
There is more to this drink. It’s loaded with nutrients and has a bevy of health benefits. It is often added to various herbal medicines or products and is said to be a nourishing drink that promotes lactation and improves eyesight due to its yeast content.
The yeast contained in palm wine has been reportedly used for industrial purposes, such as baking and the production of alcoholic drinks or potable ethanol.
Palm wine has many health benefits, especially when consumed fresh. It is good for our health if it is taken in its pure form. The point needs to be made that commercial palm wine is regularly adulterated with narcotic agents obtained from the regular herbal source.
Preservatives and sweeteners distort the originality of the wine, thereby making unhealthy. However, in its natural form, it has the following scientific backings:
Lowers blood sugar levels
A recent study by Erukainure et al. (2019) examined the effects of palm wine as an antidiabetic agent and reported that drinking palm wine could support blood sugar levels.
Another study led by Prof. Shahidul Islam of UKZN’s School of Life Sciences, together with two postgraduate students of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi, Lagos, Nigeria, showed that the consumption of raffia palm wine may help fight Type 2 diabetes, which affects male sexual organs.
The study was conducted on animals and found that palm wine lowers blood glucose levels and has less evidence of oxidative stress on testicular tissue.
They concluded that raffia palm wine has therapeutic potential to protect against erectile dysfunction or impotence in men with Type 2 diabetes, thus it can be used in traditional medicine.
However, they advised on moderation as excessive intake could also harm our health.
Some argue that our grandparents in the village have better eyesight than us because palm wine is their beverage.
Studies
Studies have affirmed that drinking moderate amounts of palm wine have been associated with a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure.
This study was conducted by Lindberg and Ezra (2008). Palm wine contains potassium, which has been proven by research to improve heart health and reduce hypertension.
Additionally, another study conducted by Ogunro and Ologunagba (2012) evaluated the effect of the level of palm wine consumption on cholesterol levels among rural dwellers. In this study, 58 male volunteers between the ages of 28-69 yrs were recruited.
They were divided into two groups; 28 moderate drinkers with an intake of 20-70 grammes/day and 30 heavy drinkers with an intake of >70 grammes/day of palm wine at a sitting for three to four days per week, with a minimum duration of five years.
Thirty controls of the same age groups with the same socioeconomic status were recruited. Their lipid profiles were tested. They revealed that heavy consumption of palm wine may promote cholesterol factors, but the benefits of moderate consumption recorded needed further investigation.
Fights cancer: Palm wine contains vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin. Riboflavin helps in the fight against free radicals.
Healthy hair skin, and nails: The iron and vitamin B complex found in palm wine is needed for healthy skin, hair and nail. Iron is essential for the development, growth and functioning of some cells in our body. This property of palm wine makes it helpful in promoting wound healing by repairing our tissues and promoting the growth of healthy cells.
Lactation: When nursing mothers include coconut oil in their diet, it induces breast milk production. But it has also been said that palm wine is used by many natural healers in Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other parts of Africa to help lactating mothers when they have limited breast milk production.
Sperm production: Hearsay evidence attests that palm wine is credited for increasing sperm count in men. Also, Palm wine is combined with other herbs to fight malaria attacks.
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Stomach disorders
In folk medicines, palm wine is mixed with other herbs and used for treating stomach disorders. For instance, one old study by Ibu et al. (1986) examined the effect on 40 albino rats of both sexes. It was found that palm wine orally caused a 21.8 per cent decrease in gastric acid secretion. But four per cent ethanol caused a significant increase, while 12 per cent sucrose caused a significant decrease in gastric acid secretion in rats. This inhibitory effect of palm wine may be of clinical significance in the management of peptic ulcer patients and ulcer-prone subjects in this region.
However, another study on humans did not find any positive effect on ulcers, though it contained ethyl alcohol (five per cent). The study was conducted by Osim et al. (1991) and used only seven volunteers.
The writer is President, Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine & Technology (NUCHMT)/African Naturopathic Foundation.
He adheres to strict sourcing, studies and academic papers in his articles, which are for educational purposes only and not medical advice for treatment.
E-mail: [email protected].