Baobab is the fruit of Africa's 'Tree of Life'. It is the only fruit in the world that dries naturally on the branch. Baking in the sun for 6 months, baobab’s green, prickly, velvet-like coating transforms into a smooth, brown, coconut-like shell. 

Baobab Powder is a rich source of vitamin C, which contributes to normal: 

• Energy release
• Immune function
• Healthy, glowing skin

It is also almost 50% fibre (two thirds soluble and one third insoluble, making it a powerful prebiotic) and contains more antioxidants than any other whole fruit. 

As it is a natural source of these nutrients, it is more bio available than manufactured vitamin supplements, meaning our bodies can absorb the nutrients more easily, ensuring a greater uptake.

Amazingly, baobab has a natural shelf-life of 3 years so there are no additives or preservatives added to our products, just 100% pure baobab fruit pulp powder. It also has a delicious sweet and citrus flavor - a bit like healthy sherbet!

THE TOP HEALTH & BEAUTY BENEFITS OF BAOBAB

The human body cannot make or store its own vitamin C (unlike other animals), so we need to make sure we get a good supply from the foods we eat every day. 

A single serving of Baobab Powder (10g or 2-3 teaspoons) provides:

• 33% of your daily vitamin C requirement (NRV)

One of the key benefits of vitamin C is that it helps to keep our immune system strong, supporting our body’s defense against infections, diseases and other illnesses. Try shaking baobab powder into your orange juice or water bottle for an extra dose of vitamin C on-the-go!

2. SLOW ENERGY RELEASE

We know what you’re thinking... ‘slow? I need energy fast!’. Vitamin C contributes to normal energy release – this slow, and steady release sustains us for a longer period of time and prevents us from feeling tired all of a sudden. Therefore, it helps the reduction of tiredness and fatigue as well as supporting a normal energy-yielding metabolism which is “needed for all functions and activities of the body, including physical activity and exercise” (EFSA, 2012).

Sub your morning coffee for a sprinkle of baobab powder on your breakfast to keep you energized and awake throughout the day. We like ours blended into our morning smoothies.

3. BLOOD SUGAR

Baobab Powder contains 34% soluble fiber, this helps to slow down the release of sugars into the blood stream, reducing energy spikes. Soluble fiber can also help to control blood glucose levels, improve blood cholesterol and reduce visceral fat (body fat that is stored around the organs in your abdominal).

The Functional Food Center of Oxford Brookes University conducted a trial using Baobab Powder and found that human participants who consumed a milk containing baobab had a lower blood glucose response than those who had a control drink with no baobab.

A later study by Oxford Brookes University also showed that baobab significantly reduced the rate at which sugar was released into the blood after digestion. As such, baobab is considered ideal for those following a low GI diet. It could also be beneficial for people with Type 2 Diabetes.

Add Baobab powder into your juices to help slow down the release of fruit sugars into your blood stream.

4. ABSORPTION OF IRON

Over 30% of the world’s population are deficient in iron – making it the most common nutritional disorder (World Health Organisation, 2017). Many turn to various iron supplements to increase their intake (we like to use Moringa Powder as a natural alternative). A less known fact is that vitamin C is needed to help the body absorb iron so pairing iron with vitamin C actually increases absorption.

Our bodies require two types of iron; heme iron (found in fish, poultry and red meat) and non-heme iron (present in plant foods, eggs, milk and meat). Compared to the former, non-heme iron is not easily absorbed by the body. One of the ways in which absorption of both types of iron can be increased is by combining the consumption of iron with vitamin C.

As baobab is a rich natural source of vitamin C, it is easily accessible to the body and is better absorbed than artificial supplements. Sprinkle some baobab onto your iron-rich foods for a lemony zing or shake it into your water when taking your iron supplements.

5. DIGESTIVE HEALTH

Approximately 40% of people have at least one digestive symptom at any one time (NHS, 2016). Despite the growing awareness of the role of fiber in improving our digestive health, 80% of people in the USA don’t eat enough of it.

Baobab Powder is almost 50% fiber. There are two types of fiber that our body needs: soluble and insoluble - and baobab contains both. Soluble fiber dissolves in the water found in your digestive system and can help to reduce the level of cholesterol in your blood.

Insoluble fiber doesn’t dissolve, it passes through your gut and enables other foods to move through your digestive system easily. It also helps to keep your bowels healthy and prevents digestive problems.

7. PREBIOTIC

Most people are familiar with probiotics – good bacteria found in foods such as yogurt, kefir and kimchi which have beneficial effects to your health, particularly your digestive system. However, very few are familiar with prebiotics which play an equally important role in gut health. Prebiotics are indigestible dietary fibers, also known as soluble fibers, made up of non-living organic matter.

The soluble fibers of baobab fruit pulp are prebiotics: non-digestible food components that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and activity of beneficial micro flora (Journal of Food Research, 2016).

It’s these prebiotic qualities that could explain how baobab might just be the secret to having the world’s healthiest gut. Studies of the Hadza Tribe in Tanzania, some of the planet's last remaining hunter gatherers, found they have 40% more diverse gut microbiomes than the average Westerner! “According to scientists, the Hadza have the most diverse gut bacteria of anyone anywhere in the world” (Independent, 2017). One of their key staples? That’s right you guessed it – the baobab fruit. 

The benefits of including prebiotics in your diet don’t stop there, a study by the University of Colorado Boulder suggested that prebiotics can improve sleep after a stressful event, suggesting that adding baobab into your diet can also help support a good night’s sleep.

7. RADIANT SKIN

According to The Journal of Nutrition, Baobab has the highest antioxidant content of any fruit. Baobab powder has twice the antioxidants gram per gram of goji berries and more than blueberries and pomegranates combined. 

Baobab is packed with antioxidants and vitamin C which supports collagen formation - helping to give you radiant, glowing skin as well as preventing wrinkles.

8. PREGNANCY

It is generally advised that pregnant women should consume 85mg of vitamin C per day (a 10g serving of Baobab Powder contains 26mg) as it helps the body produce collagen. Collagen is a structural protein that is needed for your baby’s normal growth during pregnancy. It plays a vital role in structuring a baby’s body and supporting their developing organs.

Vitamin C helps your body fight infections and protects cells from damage – helping to keep you healthy. Another key role that vitamin C plays during pregnancy is its ability to increase the absorption of iron – a vitamin that most pregnant women are deficient in. Iron is needed to help our bodies produce red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body and to the baby.

9. ALKALINE

Baobab is considered to be one if the highest alkaline foods available as it has a PRAL (Potential Renal Acid Load) rating of -52. Eating highly alkaline foods helps to balance our body’s pH levels.

The Journal of Environmental Health (2012) found that alkaline foods can also help defend our bodies from chronic diseases and ailments (such as hypertension, arthritis and deficiency in vitamin D). Have you tried adding  Baobab to your green juices? 

10. PRE/POST WORK OUT

Physical exercise increases oxidation damage to cells and muscle tissues so it’s important to increase your intake of vitamin C to reduce its negative effects. This is supported by a study conducted by the University of North Carolina (2006) who found that participants taking doses of vitamin C before exercise and for 4 days after reported less muscle soreness compared to the group who took a placebo.  

Another study by the University of Birmingham found that volunteers who took vitamin C exhibited 75% more post exercise recovery than those who consumed vitamin E or a placebo.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.