Did you know that despite its health benefits, palm wine (which can also be distilled into more alcoholic whisky-like drinks that may contain methanol), when not properly distilled, can lead to blindness, circulatory collapse and even death?

Palm wine is a common traditional alcoholic drink in tropical areas due to the favorable climate and is widely cultivated in West and Central Africa like Nigeria, the Caribbeans and Asia, and even some parts of South America. In Nigeria, it is mainly found in tropical regions such as the Southeast, South-west, and South-south, and their favorable climate and weather condition is suitable for its growth in such areas.

Most people may not know that palm wine comes in various tastes and flavors, especially as a result of geographical areas which can be attributed to many factors like soil type, climate condition, and others. Majorly, the Nigerian palm wine is gotten from the oil palm tree and Raffia palm by palm wine tappers, but in various Africa countries and other areas where it is found, there could be other different types of palm wine. 

In some countries of the world, it is known by different names such as “Mbu” in Cameroon, “Ukwu or Ngwo” in Igbo (Nigeria),” Doka” in Ghana, “Panam culloo” in China, “Emu” and "Ogoro" in Yoruba (Nigeria), “Lambanog” in the Philippines, “Ukot” in Efik and much more. Here are some surprising health benefits of palm wine you need to know:

1] Improves Eye Vision: The presence of the vitamins in palm wine such as vitamin C and B’s have a vital role which they play in improving eye vision. While vitamin C helps in building the connective tissues of the body and the blood vessels of the eye preventing related eye problems like cataracts, macular degeneration, etc., Vitamin B1 and B12 help in solving vascular-related issues that concern the retina which could result in chronic inflammation and more. Potassium also helps in keeping the eye healthy and moist as its deficiency can cause eye twitches or eye muscle spams as a result of eye dryness caused by the lack of potassium.

2] Build the Body’s Structure: Palm wine contains lots of amino acids whose main function is to act as the building block of the macro-nutrient - Protein. Thus, it helps in building and improving the body cells and as well help to store nutrients in the body which is vital for the functions of the body’s organ. It also plays a major role in the repairing of the body’s tissues, structures of the bones and muscles.

3] Improves Hair and Skin: Palm wine also contains nutrients that help in nourishing the skin, the hair and even the nails (fingers and toes alike), such as the vitamins, zinc, magnesium, and others which plays a very important role in the improvement. It also helps in the promotion of new body cells by removing the dead cells in the body and replacing it, thereby giving the skin a soft, smooth and better appearance.

4] Used to Treat Skin Rashes: In most places, palm wine can be used externally in the treatment of skin conditions such as rashes, eczema, etc., especially in small children. It is done by rubbing the affected areas with un-adultered palm wine, its content of vitamins will help soothe the skin and relieve such skin issues.

5] Increases Breast Milk: Though it is widely believed that taking of palm wine help increase breast milk in lactating mothers, but scientifically, it hasn’t be proven. But palm wine has long served as the main beverage for lactating mothers in many African countries like Nigeria, Cameroon, etc., where it is mostly cultivated and can be easily gotten, and have been locally proven to help mothers whose breast milk are low by increasing the flow for adequate breastfeeding.

6] Improves Heart Health: The potassium content of palm wine makes it a good source of drink to help combat various related cardiovascular diseases. Potassium is good for the body and helps it function better, and the expected level in the body is between 3.5 and 5 mmol/L. It helps the nerves and muscles to function well and as such helps in normalizing the rate at which the heart beats and well helps in reducing or lowering the blood pressure. However, it should be taken in moderation as either too much (hyperkalemia) or low (hypokalemia) content of potassium in the body can cause irregular heartbeats which can lead to serious and deadly health problems.

7] Fights Cancer: Food rich in antioxidant properties is known to help in reducing cancer risk, as they help prevent oxidation processes in the body which could cause some chemical reactions in the body thereby leading to damages of vital organs and cells, ulcer, inflammation, etc. Palm wine contains antioxidants that help prevent free radicals from damaging the cells in the body and fight cancer. An example of such antioxidants in palm wine is vitamin B2 (Riboflavin).

8] Other Nutritional Benefits: It may not be surprising to say that palm wine contains sugar, bacteria and yeast (which causes fermentation), but it is surprising when nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, vitamin C, Amino acids, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, vitamin B’s are mentioned but it surely contains them all and even more yet to be proven.

But in as much as palm wine is vital for our health, and is being recommended by many because of its nutritional benefits, yet it should not be taken in excess especially when it has undergone fermentation as it can result in hypertension, neurological problems and can as well lead to failure of the body’s vital organs such as the liver and kidney,. The alcohol content in fermented palm wine is 2 or 3 times more than that in other alcoholic drinks which gives the liver work overload while trying to detoxify the system.

Many local gins can be produced from palm wine too depending on the duration of the fermentation process which still has adverse reactions to the body when taken in excess.

Palm wine is more than just a refreshing drink and is rich in minerals and vitamins that help to provide the body with the necessary nutrients which prevent deficiencies and improves the hair, skin, fight cancer, improve vision and promote heart health.

Source: Read the full article here https://www.finelib.com/about/nigeria-food-produce/health-benefits-of-palm-wine/380 

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