Lucia Baobab Benefits: Top 16 Benefits Of Baobab Powder
Updated: Jul 7, 2022
WHAT IS BAOBAB
The Tree of Life, the Upside Down Tree, the Monkey Bread Tree. These are only some of the names given to the iconic baobab tree.
It only grows in Africa, Australia and the Middle East and its fruit has the unique and extraordinary characteristic of drying naturally on the branch.
Inside the hard shell, you find the fruit pulp that comes in little whitish dry chunks that are then ground into powder.
Because the baobab fruit pulp is naturally dry, it doesn’t need to undergo any heating or pasteurisation process.
Therefore, all its nutritional and medicinal properties are naturally preserved.
BAOBAB POWDER BENEFITS
Several studies have shown that the baobab fruit powder is rich in:
Vitamin C, A, B6
Fibre
Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium
As a result, if used regularly, it can offer a series of health benefits.
In this article we have included the top 16 health benefits of baobab powder.
1 - BOOST THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Baobab powder is an immune booster powder naturally rich in vitamin C and B6.
Research shows that 2-3 teaspoons of baobab powder a day can provide more than 30% of your daily vitamin C requirements.
While vitamin B6's main role is to transform food into energy, stabilise nerves and create red blood cells (1), vitamin C helps you support your immune system.
This powerful antioxidant helps your immune defenses by protecting your cells from harmful free radicals and by reducing inflammation.
A recent study has demonstrated that consuming natural food rich in vitamin C and zinc may not only help relieve the symptoms of a common cold, it can also help reduce the duration of more serious respiratory tract infections like pneumonia (2).
Our body is not able to store vitamin C. That’s why it is very important that we include food rich in vitamin C in our diet.
2 - LOWER BLOOD SUGAR LEVELS
A study conducted in 2013, showed that baobab fruit can reduce starch digestion and glycemic response thanks to its high content of polyphenols (3).
Polyphenols are micronutrients that naturally reduce and help control blood sugar levels, lowering insulin resistance.
For the purpose of the study, baobab was added to the dough of white bread and baked. The results showed a rapid reduction of digestible starch from the white bread samples (3).
3 - REDUCE TIREDNESS AND FATIGUE
By boosting the immune system and regulating the metabolism, the baobab helps the body maintain high energy levels throughout the day.
It is also commonly used by athletes as a pre and post workout drink to help the body recover quicker after a workout thanks to its high levels of vitamin C, potassium and magnesium.
Magnesium, in particular, is commonly known for naturally improving leg strength and performance.
Studies show that vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, helps rebuild muscles and strength (4).
4 - REGULATE THE DIGESTIVE SYSTEM AND SUPPORT GUT HEALTH
Baobab powder is also praised for its richness in prebiotic fibre which helps regulate the intestines and prevent constipation (5).
Consuming prebiotic fibres on a regular basis is recommended by nutritionists to keep your gut healthy, and of course boost your immune system.
5 - CLEANSE THE LIVER
Research indicates that baobab is an hepatoprotective, which means that it protects and restore the liver thanks to the presence of compounds such as beta-sitosterol and beta-amyrin palmitate in its pulp (6)
6 - PROMOTE NORMAL BLOOD PRESSURE
The baobab fruit powder promotes normal blood pressure thanks to its richness in vitamin C, potassium and calcium.
A study conducted by researchers from the Johns Hopkins Medicine suggests that a regular consumption of vitamin C can have a moderate effect on blood pressure which could reduce the rates of cardiovascular disease, including stroke (7) .
In the UK, the recommended daily intake of vitamin C for adults is 40 milligrams (6) and 20 grams of baobab powder already provides approximately 58% of the RDA (8) .
This incredible African fruit also contains four times more potassium than a banana, making it an important source of this mineral.
Potassium has the ability to reduce heart strain by widening arteries, improving blood flow and, therefore, lowering blood pressure (9).
Baobab powder is also extremely rich in calcium, a nutrient that the body needs not only to build strong bones (10), but also to maintain a normal blood pressure.
7 - AID FERTILITY
Thanks to its high level of micronutrients, the baobab fruit is also recognised for its fertility benefits.
Several studies have confirmed that what you eat can affect your chances of getting pregnant.
This doesn’t just concern the future mum. Men should also pay attention to what they eat, as a poor diet can affect the quality of their sperm (12).
A sufficient intake of folic acid, iron, potassium, calcium, vitamin C and zinc is not only important to increase fertility in both men and women, it also sustains the well-being of the mother and the development of the baby throughout pregnancy.
Baobab powder is a rich source of these vital micronutrients.
8 - PROMOTE WEIGHT LOSS
Baobab is extremely rich in both soluble and insoluble fibre (almost 50%).