Palm wine is a white, fermented sugary beverage that is obtained from the sap of several palm tree species.
The wine is popular in parts of West Africa, Asia, South America, and the Caribbeans where it is called Mmanya ocha (Igbo), Toddy (Asia), Tuba, Doka, Mimbo, and Vino de coyol.
It is slightly alcoholic when fermented and is famous for its perceived health benefits and cultural importance.
Among the Igbos of south-east Nigeria, it is used in traditional marriages to mark the beginning of married life between the bride and groom.
In other cultures, palm wine is mostly drunk for its carminative and lactation-boosting effects.
Nutrition facts
The nutritional composition of palm wine varies according to location and palm tree species.
However, studies have found that the wine is rich in antioxidants, water, protein, fats, carbohydrates (sugars), vitamins, minerals, alcohol, and microorganisms.
One study found the following nutrients in 100 grams of wine obtained from the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). [3]
Sugars
Maltose: 0.1 milligram (mg)
Sucrose: 8 mg
Protein (amino acids): 59 mg
Fats: 62 mg
Ethanol: 3 mg
Vitamin C, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc were also found.
1. Improves brain function
Additionally, palm wine contains an abundance of beneficial microorganisms such as yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and probiotic bacteria (Lactobacillus) that help in different stages of the fermentation process.
Palm wine contains vitamin B1 and B6, also called thiamine and pyridoxine respectively, which are needed for good brain functioning.
These vitamins help the body make several neurotransmitters; chemicals that carry signals from one nerve cell to another.
They are also needed for normal brain development and function, and help the body make the hormones serotonin and norepinephrine, which influence mood, and melatonin, which helps regulate the body clock. Deficiency of vitamin B6 may lead to muscle weakness, nervousness, depression, short-term memory loss, and difficulty in concentrating.
2. It helps improve Eyesight
Your eyesight is one of the most important things you have in your life that you need to keep healthy. Drinking palm wine can help you keep your vision healthy. Due to the antioxidants, Vitamin C and Vitamin B1 contained inside, eyesight can be improved over time. You will find that countries found in west and central Africa recommend drinking palm wine to keep eyes healthy. This is a great benefit that everyone can enjoy.
3. Build the Body’s Structure
Protein is an essential nutrient which the body cannot do without, and 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.
4. Improves Hair and Skin
Palm wine does more than is expected of it, it 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.
5. 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.
6. Improves Heart Health
Its potassium content 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.
Palmwine should be taken in moderation to provide the heart and the entire body with the potassium it needs 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. May help promote lactation
Palm wine is largely believed to induce lactation for poorly lactating mothers in folklore medicine.
Most rural dwellers strongly believe that drinking freshly-tapped palm wine increases breast milk flow for newborn babies.
They understand that freshly tapped wine contains high amounts of nutrients that are good for the baby and mother.
8. It May help reduce anxiety
Fermented palm wine may contain traces of alcohol and probiotics that may help calm anxiety attacks.
Recent studies have discovered that probiotics may help reduce anxiety by modulating sequences in the gut-brain axis. [5]
Although palm wine may act as a carminative, more scientific research is needed to determine the maximum alcohol and probiotic levels needed to achieve this effect.
9. It helps fight Skin Cancer
Palm wine can help you in fight against Skin Cancer. It is rich in Antioxidant which is believed to further mitigate the risk of cancer because it inhibits cycles of oxidation in the body that may trigger chemical reactions inside the body that trigger essential organ and cell injury, ulcer, inflammation, etc.
Palm wine is a healthy source of antioxidants to stop free radicals that kill the body’s cells and combat cancer.
10. Rich in probiotics
Palm wine is rich in acetic acid bacteria and lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus species) that both exhibit great probiotic activity.
Probiotics are “health-friendly bacteria” that exert numerous health benefits and boost the immune system.
Studies have found that probiotics may help prevent bowel diseases, heart disease, and diarrhea. [5]
Also, probiotic bacteria prevent the growth of harmful bacteria in the human gut.
