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The beauty of Baobab

The Baobab tree is native to Africa and Australia, and is often referred to as the “tree of life.” It can survive long periods of drought as it stores huge quantities of water, and its bark is fire resistant. The leaves and fruit are edible and they have been used as natural medicine for centuries by ancient African tribes. Baobab powder has gained a lot of press over the past few years for being a tasty, healthy and powerful superfood and it is now widely available in health food stores.

In Southern Africa, local villagers in rural areas collect the fallen fruit from the Baobab fruit which helps to empower women and communities by allowing them to earn extra income from selling the fruit.

The powder is raw and unprocessed as it is naturally dried and dehydrated inside the Baobab fruit. The fruit is simply cracked open and the powder is sieved to separate it from the seeds. Baobab powder contains about 6 times more Vitamin C than oranges and is rich in potassium, calcium, beta carotene, antioxidants and fibre.

Adding Baobab powder to your diet may help to control blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol, and reduce weight by making you feel fuller for longer and reducing your appetite. The high percentage of fibre, specifically pectin, acts as a prebiotic which feeds the healthy bacteria in the gut and improves digestion and boosts the immune system.

The content of antioxidant polyphenols in baobab powder protects the body from free radical damage and reduces inflammation. Consuming these powerful compounds reduces the risk of degenerative diseases, slows ageing, and improves skin and immune health.

Baobab powder has a tart flavour with subtle undertones of caramel and peach. It is delicious added to or sprinkled on smoothies, soups, cereal, yogurt, salads and used as an ingredient in desserts, snack bars, sauces, cakes, and others.

Sources

http://renegadehealth.com/blog/2014/03/12/baobab-a-super-food-from-the-tree-of-life
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/11328252/Baobab-the-superfood-of-2015.html
http://www.healwithfood.org/health-benefits/baobab-fruit-powder-superfood.php