Fascinating Benefits of Baobab | Why is it Called “The Tree of Life” in its Native Country of Africa?
The majestic baobab tree is native to the African continent, where it is popularly known as the “Tree of Life”.
For 1000’s of years it has provided shelter, nutrition and water for humans and animals, which is why many savannah communities made their homes near to baobab trees.
Health Benefits of Baobab:
Baobab is a Nutritional Powerhouse
Digestive System
The fibre in baobab is prebiotic – supporting the growth of the probiotic (good bacteria) in the gut. We now know that having enough probiotic bacteria in the gut is paramount to overall optimum health, with these trillions of bacteria keeping the growth of harmful bacteria at bay. They are necessary to synthesise vitamin K, produce certain hormones and promote digestion, nutrient absorption and efficient elimination. Dietary fibre also helps to regulate glucose and insulin levels in the blood.
Heart Health
The baobab fruit is high in potassium – the third most abundant mineral in the body – which is vital to the function of all living cells.
Potassium has vasodilating properties that work to relieve the tension of blood vessels which is one of the main causes of high blood pressure. It is helpful in reversing the role of sodium in unbalancing normal blood pressure thus acting as a vital component that maintains the normality of blood pressure in the human body.
High blood pressure forces the heart to work harder, which can make it grow weaker. A persistent rise in blood pressure (hypertension), can lead to congestive heart failure and other catastrophic disorders of this vital organ.
Baobab is also high in the heart healthy mineral magnesium. Low magnesium levels raise the risk of developing cardiac arrhythmias – abnormal conduction of the electrical impulses that govern heartbeat and heart rate. Without sufficient magnesium there is also an increased risk of high blood pressure.
Immune Support
In addition to high amounts of the super antioxidant vitamin C, baobab has an ORAC value (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) of 140,000 (μ mol TE/100g) making it one of the richest antioxidant fruits compared with many other fruits and superfuits.
Everyday stress, pollution and processed foods can lead to the formation of free radicals. These are rogue atoms or atomic groups which have lost at least one electron and are forced to steal electrons from neighbouring molecules in the hope of stabilising themselves, which can cause havoc in the body.
The antioxidants found in baobab can literally mop up these free radicals, protecting the body from the damage they ultimately wreak.
Iron Absorption
Baobab fruit’s high vitamin C content helps your body to absorb its iron content. So if you’re struggling with iron deficiency or just looking to up your iron intake, baobab can help. Vitamin C improves the absorption of nonheme iron, which is the form of iron present in plant based foods like baobab. As a food that contains both vitamin C and iron, baobab is a great way to boost your intake of both of these key nutrients.
Skin Health
Antioxidants not only help the body to fight disease, but they also really protect and boost the health of our skin. (1)
Being particularly high in a very well-known antioxidant, vitamin C, baobab used internally (the fruit and leaves) and externally (the seed oil) can help to fend off oxidative stress that promotes signs of aging while also boosting collagen production, which of course is very anti-aging. Vitamin C also helps with regeneration of vitamin E, which helps to protect and repair skin. (2)
We have added Baobab in our Super Greens Blend for natural vitamin C and more nutritional value.
Check it here: SUPERFOOD POWDER
References:
1. Antioxidants: Preventing Diseases, Naturally
2. Vitamin C with regeneration of vitamin E helps to protect and repair skin