The Effects of Cola nitida on Thirst Perception in Individuals under Different Conditions

Abstract

This study looked at the influence of Cola nitida on thirst perception in male and female human participants. The participants in the research ranged in age from 18 to 28 years old and were non-obese (30 males and 30 females) and non-habitual Cola nut chewers. They were divided into three (3) categories for each gender: underweight (n=10), normal weight (n=10), and overweight (n=10). The researchers ruled out hypertension, renal illness, and cardiac disease from the study. The standard chamber temperature, with a room temperature (RT) of 270°C and a relative humidity (RH) of 70%, and the elevated chamber temperature, with an RT of 370°C and a RH of 90%, were used. The individuals sat silently in the sweat chamber for 20 minutes under the aforementioned settings. The third condition was normal chamber temperature with exercise, in which the patients pedaled a bicycle ergometer at a moderate exertion of 750J/minute for 20 minutes while maintaining RT and RH at 270C and 70%, respectively. Before ingesting Cola nitida, the three prerequisites were met. The visual analogue scale was used to rate thirst sensations immediately after 20 minutes in the sweat chamber. Under each of the three experimental circumstances, each participant was given 0.5g/kg body weight of Cola nitida, which was chewed as a bolus. After ingestion, each volunteer was given 50ml of deionized water to flush the masticated Cola nitida down the intestines, and the individual was given 90 minutes to relax before entering the sweat chamber. Finally, Cola nitida had a considerable impact on fluid loss through the sweat glands. Cola nitida enhanced thirst perception as a compensatory mechanism to the fluid loss as a result of the loss of fluid and electrolytes in perspiration (particularly Na+ and Cl-). As a result, when human beings (even those who are already accustomed to consuming Cola nuts) consume Cola nitida, caution should be exercised, especially when the temperature and exertion levels are high.