What is Baobab?

Similar to coconut in appearance, and with a hard brown exterior, Africa`s super fruit, baobab, is loaded with vitamins and minerals; it contains about seven times more antioxidants than many other fruits. It`s particularly bursting with fiber, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Let`s see the health benefits of this amazing fruit, its oil, and some other things we can derive from it.

13 Health Benefits of Baobab Fruit

Enhances Weight Loss

Baobab fruit reduces the absorption of sugar, hence reduces the risk of obesity. What`s more? Its high fiber content reduces overeating, as it keeps the stomach full for a long time. Baobab`s anti-inflammatory properties reduce abdominal fat and inflammation, making weight loss much easier.

Prevents Diabetes

Baobab helps you maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Its soluble fiber content prevents your intestines from absorbing excess sugar, hence prevents diabetes.

Boosts Brain Health

Stress, over time, results in neurological problems. Keeping your stress levels in check is quite important. Baobab contains vitamin B which gives the brain some relaxation and ensures the stable health of the nervous system. It also contains enough antioxidants to treat Parkinson`s disease, dementia, and Alzheimer`s disease.

Improves Dental and Bone Health

Baobab fruit is rich in calcium which prevents and treats teeth and bone issues. It is interesting to discover that baobab has more calcium than milk does. Regular consumption of baobab prevents osteoporosis and dental decay. Do you care about healthy teeth and bone? Get some baobab already!

Improves Heart Health

Baobab contains potassium which is essential for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Also, its fiber content decreases cholesterol levels, hence reduces the risk of heart problems. Baobab fruit also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that prevent heart problems. With all these, we can say that baobab is your go-to fruit for a healthy heart.

Prevents Cancer

A number of health conditions such as cancer are as a result of excessive inflammation in the body. Baobab`s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties are potent cancer-preventing agents.

Boosts Immune System

Baobab fruit is rich in vitamin C, hence strengthens the immune system, thereby preventing infections and some other terrible health conditions.

Prevents Arthritis

Inflammation in the joints is a major cause of arthritis. The anti-inflammatory property of baobab is essential in preventing and treating arthritis.

Aids Digestion

Baobab fruit contains soluble and insoluble fiber which combat digestion issues. Regular consumption of baobab prevents difficulty in digestion.

Beautifies the Skin

Baobab contains vitamin C and antioxidants which make the skin glow. Adding baobab fruit to your diet keeps your skin hydrated and radiant.

Helps During Pregnancy

Baobab contains folic acid and iron, both of which are vital to a pregnant woman`s health. Its vitamin C content also ensures the normal growth of babies. Vitamin C will also help pregnant women absorb iron and strengthen them to fight infections.

Possesses Hepatoprotective Effects

Baobab contains flavonoids, phytosteroids, terpenoids, vitamins, amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates which make it effective at preventing liver complications.

Improves Circulatory Health

Baobab fruit is essential for the circulatory system. This fruit`s concentration of minerals aids blood circulation. Its iron content is a vital component of hemoglobin which transports oxygenated blood to all organs in the body. It also prevents anemia and boosts energy.

4 Benefits of Baobab Oil

Did you know that baobab oil exists? It does, and it has some amazing health benefits; let`s take a look!

Moisturizes the Skin

Baobab oil is a component of some lotions because it possesses a moisturizing quality. Applying this oil after a shower gives the skin a soothing feeling. You may also apply small amounts of baobab oil to chapped lips to relieve them.

Conditions Hair

Baobab oil can protect your hair against damage from the sun and other forms of damage. You can simply heat the oil slightly and add it to your scalp; cover your hair with a shower cap, and wash it off after a few hours. This will leave your hair softer and silky.

Gets Rid of Stretch Marks

Applying baobab oil on parts of the skin where you have stretch marks is quite helpful, as it helps to get rid of them and reduce the depth they leave on the skin. It also relieves scars from wounds and surgeries.

Beautifies Nails

Baobab oil gives your fingernails and toenails a softer and more attractive look. Simply soak your hands and feet in it regularly.

Baobab Fruit Juice

Having seen the benefits of the fruit and oil, let`s see how to make some juice with this amazing fruit.

Ingredients

• A teaspoon of baobab powder
• 4 oranges
• 4 large carrots
• 2cm fresh ginger root

Method

• Wash the carrots thoroughly and peel them.
• Put the carrots and ginger root in a juicer and juice them.
• Peel the oranges and juice them.
• Mix both juices and add the baobab powder.
• Add some water to taste if you consider the juice too thick.
• Your baobab fruit juice is ready!

Side Effects of Baobab

• Its seeds and pulp contain minute amounts of antinutrients such as tannins, oxalic acid, and phytates which reduce nutrient absorption.
• Baobab oil contains cyclopropenoid fatty acids which interfere with fatty acid synthesis.
• If you consume over 300g of baobab fruit powder a day, you may be at risk of excess consumption of vitamin C, and begin to experience flatulence, diarrhea, and stomach pains.

Quick Baobab Facts

• The baobab tree can live for thousands of years.
• It is difficult to date baobab trees, as they don`t produce growth rings.
• The kernel of the baobab fruit has a high magnesium content of about 600-00 mg/100 g.
• The shells of baobab fruits are hard and tough enough to serve as pots and vessels.
• Baobab trees store up a lot of water in their trunks, in order to survive through unfavorable conditions in the desert.
• Elephants drink the water inside the trunk of the baobab tree.
• Hollow baobab tree barks serve as water reservoirs.
• The powdery, tangy pulp of baobab has more vitamin C than citrus fruits like orange.
• Virtually every part of baobab is edible: its seed`s dry fruit powder is great in soups, the pulp of its fruit is useful in making soft drinks, while the fruit is also boiled to make tea. Its leaves serve as vegetables, while you can also make some juice from it. Such height of versatility!
• Pregnant women in various parts of the world use baobab for different purposes: in some parts of Africa, they use the barks of mature baobabs to enlarge their birth canals before birth, while some pregnant Indian women bathe in water boiled with baobab bark.
• In ancient times, people used the trunk of baobab as prisons.
• The baobab tree can remain leafless for about 10 months at a stretch.
• It is common to find tamarind trees at the base of baobab trees, with the roots of the tamarind trees entangled in those of the baobab.
• The baobab flower opens its petal only during the nights.
• The bark of the baobab tree is tolerant of fire.
• Bats and bush babies pollinate the baobab tree.
• Baobab`s pollen seeds are useful for making glue.
• The rattling sound you hear when you shake the baobab tree is an indicator that the fruits are fit for consumption.
• The bark of baobab is used in making ropes, fibers, nets, and strings of musical instruments.