ABOUT PALM WINE
Palm wine is an alcoholic beverage created from the sap of various species of palm tree such as the palmyra, date palms, and coconut palms. It is known by various names in different regions and is common in various parts of Asia, Africa the Caribbean and South America. Palm-wine is an alcoholic drink gotten from the sap of various species of palm trees like coconut palms, date palms, Palmyra. It is also known as Toddy-palm.
Palm-wine is a very popular drink in Nigeria, it is also common in places like Ghana, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and some countries in Asia.
In Nigeria in particular, palm-wine is used as Kola for visitors and also used to perform traditional rites during traditional events like marriages.
Many believe it is good for the body because of its many nutritional values, but that should not be the reason for turning a blind eye to its many dangers to the body.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF PALM WINE
- 1 Palm wine improves eye sight: Palm wine helps in maintaining good eye health. This is because it contains the antioxidant Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) which is also found in other fruits and vegetables. Vitamin B1 (thiamine) also helps in improving our vision. This is why some school of thought argue that our grandparents in the village have better eyesight than us because palm wine is their beverage.
- 2 Reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases: Research has showed that drinking moderate amounts of palm wine has been associated with a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular diseases such as heart failure. This study was conducted by Lingberg and Ezra in 2008. Palm wine contains potassium which has been proven by research to improve heart health and bring down hypertension. However drinking it in excess has adverse effects like destroying the liver.
- 3 Palm wine can help fight against cancer: Palm wine contains vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin. Riboflavin is an antioxidant which helps in the fight against some cancer causing agents called free radicals.4 Palm wine helps in maintaining a healthy hair, skin and nails:The Iron and vitamin B complex found in palm wine are needed for a healthy skin, hair and nail. Iron is very 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.5 Palm wine promotes lactation: Palm wine is being used by many natural healers in Cameroon, Nigeria, Ghana and other parts of Africa to help a lactating mother when she has limited breast milk production. Research is needed to investigate the property of palm wine that makes it stimulate the production of breast milk.
