Date: 2016-09-09

A medical expert, Dr Adeshina Kayode, has warned pregnant women and nursing mothers against excessive consumption of kola nut, saying it is dangerous to health.

Kayode, who gave the warning in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Thursday, said excessive consumption of kola nuts could leads to hormonal imbalance in pregnant women.

The medical practitioner, who works with Graceland Hospital, Adewole, Ilorin, said kola nut contains caffeine that is detrimental to the health of pregnant women and nursing mothers.

Kayode also warned that those with high blood pressure and stomach ulcer should refrain from consumption of kola nut in order not to aggravate their condition. "Even though, kola nut seems to have health benefit, it is good to take some precaution in its consumption.

"Kola nut contains caffeine which makes it poisonous for pregnant women and nursing mothers and excessive intake of it could cause hormonal imbalance.

"Those with high blood pressure and stomach ulcer should stop taking kola nut because it induces increased production of gastric juice and also worsens their state of health," he said. Kayode stressed that prolonged intake of kola nut could cause reduction in sperm count, resulting in infertility in men and women. (NAN)