6 Health Benefits of Palm Wine

Each time I have opportunity to visit the rural areas in the village, never miss any opportunity of tasting and enjoying freshly brewed palm wine.   This generation seem to be missing out a lot is usually my though each time this natural drink gets to my taste bud.

Palm is a locally brewed natural  and nutritious drink that comes either from the palm tree or the bamboo tree.  The one from the palm tree is usually more sour in taste while the one from the bamboo tree is usually sweeter.  It is a favourite drink of Nigerian Men especially from the Eastern Path where it is used frequently in rural areas and served as an important beverage in most occasions such as weddings, funerals  and birthday parties.

Palm wine  is the sap of palm wine tree.  The wine is obtained as the fermentation product  of one-day tapping.  It is one of the most popular drinks across Africa.  Depending on the mode and source some palm wines are highly alcoholic.  Most of the wine tapped from bamboo trees are less alcoholic.  one aspect of food gradually disappearing from our tables is fermented foods like the palm wine.  Fermented foods have numerous health benefits most importantly, they help keep our gut healthy

Palm wine is a rich natural drink with numerous health benefits.  So if you have been drinking palm wine without knowing that you  are feeding your body with a healthy ready - to - absorb nutrient,  Read below and see why occasional  palm wine is a healthy way:

Contents of Palm Wine:

Yeast
protein
Sugar
Aminoacids
Bacteria
Carbohydrates
Potassium
Zinc
Vitamin C
Iron
Magnesium
Vitamins B1, B2, B3 and B6

Six Health Benefits of Palm Wine

1.  Fights Cancer

It contains B2, also known as riboflavin, which is an antioxidant which helps in fighting free radicals,  which discourages the growth of cancerous cells.

2.  Improves Sight

Palm wine helps in maintaining good sight.  It is a source of antioxidants and vitamin C which is also found in most fruits and vegetables.  The presence of B1 also helps in improving our vision.

3.  Source of Probiotics

Palm wine is fermented making it a source of friendly bacteria which help maintain a healthy gut health and strong immune system

4.  Supports Cardiovascular Health

Research shows that drinking moderate amount of palm wine has been associated with reduction on the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure and similar heart related issues.  One of the research  conducted by Lingberg and Ezra in 2008  found that the presence of potassium in palm wine made it possible to improve heart health and bring down hypertension 

5. Promotes Lactation

When women are faced with the problem of lactation in rural areas, palm wine is being used by natural healers in some parts of Africa to assist them.  This should not be in doubt seeing the nutrients such as iron, zinc and other important B group vitamins present in palm wine.

6.  Helps in Maintaining Healthy Skin, Hair and Nails

The presence of iron and other B complex found in palm wine are needed fro a healthy skin and nails.  Iron is very essential for the development, growth and functioning of some cells in our body.  It is also great for wound healing during to the presence of Vitamin C

Excess can lead to these undesirable side effects"


Neurological symptoms

Can lead to blood cloth problem - uncontrolled bleeding

Could cause liver damage

Weakening of heart muscles

Heart attacks

We  believe moderation is key to enjoying any healthy food nature has given.   So let us go slowly on palm wine so as to avoid the undesirable side effects.


SOURCE:www.naija.ng
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