Palm Wine - Aphrodisiac, Health Benefits to Man ?

    Much better than beer and grape wine and loved by bees, Palm wine is a natural juice, a white translucent sap of a variety of palm trees. 

Although I have never climbed up a palm tree, I do own a few trees in the village. Professional tappers are normally hired to climb the palm. After tapping the tree, they position a calabash to collect the constant flow of nectar. 

The nectar flows up the palm naturally by osmosis and is harvested twice a day for 5 consecutive days. No artificial prservatives are used.

The most delicious palm wine or better called palm juice is gotten at the bottom of the tree when the taper comes down. I should know, been there, done it.

In Igbo culture, a tribe that originates in West Africa  in the south-east of present day Nigeria,  the tapper gets paid in kind with a share of the wine. The owner of the palm tree gets the palm wine for 3 days and the tapper's share is 2 days. Then the palm tree gets to rest for 2 days.

Palm wine has the sweet taste of a pineapple / lemon juice cocktail and can be tapped from tall palm trees, or the raffia tree which is shorter and thus easier to climb. 

The lighter, sweeter, raffia variety thrives in swampy areas by streams or small rivers.

Palm wine is considered a fruit juice or drink as it contains no alcohol when freshly tapped which makes it highly nutritious. 

Bees love palm wine more than pollen, and they certainly know what is good in mother nature.

Aphrodisiac 

There are reports that palm wine is a potent Aphrodisiac.  Though this has not been scientifically evaluated, the word on the streets is affirmatory !

A variety which has a stronger taste comes from the oil palm tree - Elaies guineensis. However, sap from the Raffia palm tree variety, is milkier and sweeter. 

Palm sap begins fermenting immediately after collection, due to natural yeasts in the pores of the calabash pot and air , often spurred by residual yeast left in the collecting container.

It is at its best within two hours of tapping, as fermentation yields an aromatic wine of up to 4% alcohol content, sweet, mildly intoxicating and exhilarating.

We were born to drink, first milk, then fermented beverages. Our sensory organs attract us to them. As humans came out of Africa, they developed these from what they grew. In the Middle East, it was barley and wheat. 

China 

In China, rice and sorghum alcohol is central to human culture and biology because we were probably drinking fermented beverages from the beginning. 

'We’re set up to drink them', says Prof Patrick McGovern, archeologist and researcher, University of Pennsylvania, USA.

The wine may be allowed to ferment longer for up to a day, to yield a stronger, sour and acidic taste, which some people prefer. 

Prolonged fermentation however does not increse the alcohol concentration but produces a stronger sour tasting vinegar which has similar health benefits to organic apple cider vinegar.

Health Benefits of Natural Palm Wine

Palm wine, especially the freshly tapped unfermented sap, is a good source of healthy nutrients that helps to build and repair tissues in our body. 

Palm wine is high in amino acids, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and iron. It also contains vitamin B1, B2, B3, and B6.

Palm wine is a good source of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) that produces energy for the body. Riboflavin also works as an antioxidant that fights and defends against damaging particles in the body known as free radicals.

Free radicals can damage cells and DNA, and may contribute to ageing, as well as the development of a number of health conditions, such as heart disease and cancer.

Deficiency of vitamin B6 may lead to muscle weakness, nervousness, depression, short-term memory loss, and difficulty concentrating. Palm wine is a good source of vitamin B6.

Palm wine may also help with;

Vision

Depression

Fatigue

Nausea

Stress relief

Slows ageing

Cancer prevention

Promotion of skin and hair health

Rich in Calcium, it strenghtens the bones and helps prevent osteoporosis.

Fermented unpasturised wine is great for gut friendly probiotics. 

It is also rich in vitamin C, antioxidants and flavonoids which help to boost immunity to disease and fight cancer.

In addition we know that alcohol in moderation by adults prevents heart disease, stimulates appetite and reduces stress and blood pressure.

Recommended maximum healthy safe consumption is about 0.6L a day.

African Tradition

Use in African traditioal marriages 

Palm wine is a symbol of unity and peace. It is presented in a natural calabash made from the outer skin of a dried melon fruit species, which keeps it fresh and cool.

It is an integral part of traditional marriages, customs and festivals. The would be bride is asked to offer a gourd of palm wine to the groom in public, as a sign that she has accepted him as her husband.

In West African tradition, palm wine is credited for increasing sperm count in men and breast milk production in women. 

Women are encouraged to drink palm wine after giving birth in the belief that it helps increse breast milk production.

Have a taste of freshly tapped palm wine and give me your feedback. 

Palm wine is classified as an alcoholic beverage. You are not advised to drink alcohol, if you are below the age of 18.

Thanks for being here and goodluck on your journey to optimal health and wellness. I hope you enjoyed reading this piece. 

I invite you to check out more of my over a hundred health and beauty articles that may interest. Please use the search button at the top of the page. See you in the next one. Ciao. God-isLove.

Follow, Comment, Share 4a healthier World

#DrPeteHealthSecrets #health #healthsecrets #fitness #wellness #happy #support #success #lifestyle #goodhealth #gethealthy #healthylife #healthtalk #research #mentalhealth #healthy #healthyfood #healthylifestyle #healthyeating #healthyliving #healthychoices #healthylife #mentalhealth #instahealth #eathealthy #wellness #mentalhealthawareness #healthyhair #stayhealthy #healthybreakfast #healthyrecipes #healthiswealth #healthcoach #healthyeats #healthyskin #healthcare #healthandwellness #holistichealth #healthybody #healthymind #gethealthy #behealthy #menshealth #healthydiet #womenshealth #healthandfitness #healthyhabits #guthealth #healthysnack #healthymom #healthyfoodshare #healthymeals #mentalhealthmatters #healthfood #healthysnacks #beauty #love #beautiful #fashion #makeup #instagood #photography #style #model #photooftheday #like #instagram #skincare #art #follow #cute #girl #nature #photo #picoftheday #happy #smile #bhfyp #life #hair #me #selfie #makeupartist #myself #instadaily #fitness #organic #breastcancer #viralpost #love #nature #antiaging #keto #weightloss #healthbenefits #travel