Kola Nut is the seed kernel of a large African tree grown commercially around the world. It's chief constituents are caffeine, theobromine, tannins and phenolics, kolatin, and kolanin. Kola nut has thermogenic and stimulant properties. Guarana and kola nut enjoy great popularity in their native lands because they are also rich in caffeine, which serves as a stimulant.
Kola nut antioxidants
Catechin (27-37 g/kg), caffeine (18-24 g/kg), epicatechin (20-21 g/kg),
procyanidin B 1(15-19 g/kg), and procyanidin B 2 (7-10 g/kg) are
antioxidants found in kola nut.
Kola Nut Research Update
Herbal ephedra/caffeine for weight loss: a 6-month randomized
safety and efficacy trial.
Boozer CN. t Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital and Columbia
University, New York 10025, USA.
Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2002 May;26(5):593-604.
To examine long-term safety and efficacy for weight loss of an herbal
Ma Huang and Kola nut supplement (90/192 mg/day ephedrine alkaloids/caffeine). A
total of 167 subjects (body mass index (BMI) 31.8+/-4.1 kg/m(2)) randomized to
placebo (n=84) or herbal treatment (n=83) at two outpatient weight control
research units. Primary outcome measurements were changes in blood
pressure, heart function and body weight. Secondary variables included body
composition and metabolic changes. By last observation carried forward
analysis, herbal vs placebo treatment decreased body weight, body fat and LDL-cholesterol, and increased HDL-cholesterol. Herbal treatment produced small
changes in blood pressure variables (+3 to -5 mm Hg, P< or =0.05), and increased
heart rate (4+/-9 vs. -3+/-9 bpm, P<0.001), but cardiac arrhythmias were not
increased. By self-report, dry mouth, heartburn, and
insomnia were increased and diarrhea decreased (P<0.05). Irritability,
nausea, chest pain and palpitations did not differ, nor did numbers of subjects
who withdrew. In this 6-month placebo-controlled trial, herbal ephedra/caffeine (90/192 mg/day) promoted body weight and body fat reduction and
improved blood lipids without significant adverse events.