BAOBAB
Baobab is a sub-Saharan melon-like fruit that has been used by Africans to enhance health and beauty for centuries.
Africa’s indigenous superfruit, Baobab pulp is a superb source of dietary fibre, both soluble and insoluble. Baobab contains 50% dietary fiber; composed of 75% soluble fiber and 25% insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber can help reduce blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Insoluble fiber is ‘calorie-free’ bulk that supports digestive processes and helps keep you feeling full for longer.
Baobab also contains twice as much calcium as a glass of milk (with none of the lactose), more magnesium than goji berries, more iron than a steak (without any of the saturated fat) and six times the potassium of a banana.
Baobab’s synergy of minerals and antioxidants is associated with better energy, better endurance, enhanced recovery after exercise and a stronger immune system. The calcium content of Baobab is also great for maintaining the strength and density of our bones and the PH balance of our blood. The ideal blood PH is 7.4, which is slightly alkaline.
Maintaining the optimum 7.4 PH of our blood and our body is super important for a strong immune systemi, as an acidic balance will decrease the body's ability to absorb minerals and other nutrients, decrease the energy production in our cells, reduce our ability to repair damaged cells, limit our ability to detoxify heavy metals, allow tumor cells to thrive and make us more susceptible to fatigue and illness.
Calcium is our body’s principal tool for maintaining the alkalinity of our blood. If we eat refined carbohydrates and processed foods our need for Calcium – and to a lesser extent potassium and magnesium goes up, as sugar & processed foods are very acid-forming. If we do not eat enough calcium and other natural minerals to reduce this imbalance, our body takes calcium from our bones, leading to osteoporosis. The Calcium in baobab is highly bioavailable and very well assimilated, making Baobab a fruit of choice for anyone concerned about protecting their calcium levels.
Lastly, baobab contains a wealth of other phytonutrients, antioxidants, Vitamins and minerals. The ORAC (antioxidant ability) of Baobab is 1400 per gram!iiie Boabab contains three times as many antioxidants as blueberries and six times the vitamin C of an orange!
Studies at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University suggest that consuming fruits and vegetables with a high-ORAC value may help slow the aging process in both body and brain. Eating plenty of foods with a high-ORAC activity, such as baobab, maqui, raspberry and acai has the power to reduce risk of both cancer and heart diseaseiii. Recent research also indicates that diminished brain function associated with aging and disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases may be due to low antioxidant levels, and that maintaining these levels through natural, antioxidant-rich foods is a safe strategy for reducing vulnerability to these diseases.
