Effect of chewing of Erythroxylum coca Lamarck (Coca) on cholesterol and serum triglyceride levels in high andean people

Abstract

The objective of the research was to determine the effect of chewing Erythroxylum coca. Lamarck (Coca) on serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in high Andean people, the population was 100 high Andean people, 50 women and 50 men as chewers, forming control groups with non-chewers. After an interview and laboratory tests, the following results were obtained for the control group: cholesterol levels (201.75 mg % men and 193.50 mg % women) and triglyceride levels (174 mg % men and 134 mg % women). Compared with the problem group or chewers: whose cholesterol levels (155 mg % men and 150 mg % women) and triglyceride levels (84 mg % men and 55 mg % women) being statistically significant with the ANVA test, and the simple correlation coefficient is positive and direct. Therefore, it is concluded: that people who chew coca leaves are not obese. In addition, the extract of coca leaves does not facilitate the digestion of fatty foods such as cholesterol and triglycerides by inhibiting the enzymatic activity.

Keywords

• coca
• cholesterol
• triglycerides
• enzyme activity
• chewers
• high andean.