The Baobab tree
Also known as the Tree of Life, it has risen in popularity and with good reason. The Baobab tree is well known in many African cultures and can survive harsh drought conditions.
How can you benefit from the Baobab tree?
Baobab seeds are pressed to extract baobab oil which can be used topically on the skin. This oil has antioxidants, vitamins A & E, and omega fatty acids.
Uses for Baobab Oil:
- Soften fine lines and wrinkles
- Improve emollience
- Increase elasticity
- Protect skin from environmental stressors
What is Baobab Powder?
The bark, fruit and leaves of the baobab tree have been used for centuries to remedy various ailments such as fever and digestive problems. The fruit from this tree has a hard outer shell filled with pulp which dehydrates as the fruit matures. When the pulp is ground into powder it is known as baobab powder and contains a variety of nutrients including vitamin c, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and antioxidants.
Baobab powder for weight loss
Among other benefits of baobab powder, the tangy-sweet fruit flavour of the baobab extract supports your immune system, improves digestion and can aid weight loss. Certain types of gut bacteria break down food and store it as fat while other gut bacteria convert food to energy. If these bacteria are not well balanced it can lead to excess fat storage which can contribute to weight gain. The prebiotic fibre in powdered baobab feeds energy-burning bacteria which makes losing weight easier.
Baobab powder for high fibre
Fibre is essential for a healthy lifestyle and weight management but daily intake can be tricky. The recommended daily fibre intake is 25g for women and 38g for men. With 4gm of fibre per tablespoon, powdered baobab is an easy and effective way to get your daily fibre.
Baobab vitamins and minerals
Baobab powder is packed with essential vitamins and minerals including vitamin C. 100gm of baobab fruit pulp has 500mg of vitamin C.
It also contains 50% fibre and has more antioxidants in comparison to most other fruit.
The mineral content of baobab powder has been known to lower blood pressure and improve circulation which helps to prevent heart disease, another benefit of baobab powder. The antioxidants found in baobab powder can protect your cells against free radical damage.
How to use the baobab fruit and powder
- Stir into your favourite beverage or incorporate it into your daily recipes.
- It can also be used with smoothies, fruit juices, cereals, granola bars, yoghurt and other dairy products.
- Two to three teaspoons a day are all you need to reap the rewards of this natural ingredient.
Prebiotic Gut Health
Baobab Fruit Powder is composed of 50% Dietary Fiber, 75% of which is soluble Prebiotic Dietary Fiber. Its effectiveness as a prebiotic has been proven both in research and its traditional use in Africa. Italian researchers have discovered that Baobab Fruit Powder has a positive prebiotic effect on key groups of probiotic gut flora. Compared to controls, they found Baobab Fruit Powder promoted significant increases in the production of two of the three key bacterial groups; Bifidobacteri and Lattobacilli.
Diabetes & Glycemic Index
The lower the Glycemic Index (GI) of a food, the slower the rise in blood glucose levels will be when the food is consumed. Researchers at the Oxford Brookes University in the UK demonstrated that consuming Baobab Fruit Powder helps regulate blood sugar – which is particularly good news for those with Type 2 Diabetes. Baobab is rich in soluble dietary fiber which slows down the rise in blood glucose, helping prevent sugar spikes. It is also high in polyphenols which have been shown to effect the release of sugars from carbohydrates into the blood stream, reducing their conversion into glucose.
Adaptogen
Adaptogens are natural substances that are able to decrease the level of stress, anxiety, fatigue and tiredness in the human body. And increase the ability of the human body to react and adapt to stressors. Baobab unique combination of vitamins and minerals make it a highly effective adaptogen.
Blood Alkalizing
Blood Alkalinity is believed by many to be the key to greater overall health, lowering illness, and promoting longer living. For our bodies to function optimally, we should make sure that we have an alkaline pH blood level. How do we do this? By eating highly alkaline foods.
The PRAL rating (potential renal acid load) is a measure of the alkalizing properties of foods. With a PRAL Rating of -52, Baobab Fruit Powder is one of the most blood alkalizing foods on the planet!
| PRODUCT | FOOD GROUP | PRAL |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Vegetables | -58 |
| Baobab Powder | Fruit | -52 |
| Apricots | Fruit and fruit juices | -33 |
| Bananas | Fruit and fruit juices | -30 |
| Mushrooms | Raw and dried vegitables | -20 |
| Beet greens | Vegetable and juices | -17 |
| Lychees | Dried fruit and fruit juices | -16 |
| Peaches | Fruit and fruit juices | -16 |
| Nuts, Chestnuts | Peeled nuts | -16 |
| Raisins | Fruit and fruit juices | -14 |
| Beans | Legumes | -13 |
| Soybeans | Legumes | -6 |
| Carrots | Vegetables | -6 |
| Passion Fruit | Fruit and fruit juices | -6 |
| Kiwi Fruit | Fruit and fruit juices | -6 |
| Broccoli | Vegetables | -5 |
| Coconut Water | Fruit juices | -5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Vegetables | -5 |
| Melons, Cantaloupe | Fruits and fruit juices | -5 |
| Cabbage | Vegetables | -5 |
| Peppers | Vegetables | -5 |
Electrolytes
While exercising we lose electrolytes through our sweat, mainly sodium and potassium. Ingesting potassium in combination with water helps the body to rehydrate more efficiently. Baobab Fruit Powder has potassium values ranging between 1800 mg and 2400 mg/100g; which is six times higher than bananas, the fruit most commonly recommended by nutritionists for its potassium content. The fact that it is over 80% soluble makes it ideal for hydrating powdered drink mixes and sports beverage applications.
POTASSIUM
Average potassium values per 100g against other dried fruits.
Baobab Foods, LLC.
140 Lakeside Ave Suite A, PO Box 333,
Seattle, WA 98122
Tel: +1 (310) 562 0897
Email: info@baobabfoods.com
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