Baobab fruit is a fairly new superfood to North America, but has legendary medicinal properties that are well known to the people of Africa, who commonly refer to the tree it grows on as “The Tree of Life”. Interestingly, most of these trees (Adansonia digitata) are 200-500 years old and actually store water in their trunks. In fact, one of these trees alone can store approximately 4,500 liters of water!

What Is Baobab Fruit?

Baobab fruit is a fruit that is native to Africa, Madagascar, Arabia and Australia. This well known African super fruit is packed with nutrients including twice the amount of calcium normally found in milk, six times the vitamin C naturally found in oranges, six times the potassium found in bananas and is an excellent source of B vitamins, iron and magnesium. It is also an excellent source of protein, fibre and essential fatty acids.

The antioxidant content of Baobab fruit is incredibly significant. In fact, Baobab fruit has six times the antioxidants found in blueberries and cranberries and even has twice the antioxidants of acai berry! Baobab fruit truly is a potent antioxidant, with an ORAC value (a way of measuring antioxidant levels) of 1,400/gram, blueberries weigh in with ORAC values of 65/gram, pomegranates are 105/gram and goji berries are 125/gram. Clearly, Baobab fruit is the new antioxidant king of fruits!

Health Benefits of Baobab Fruit

This nutrient dense super fruit is used as a nutrient supplement to enhance the diet. It can increase overall energy, boost immunity, reduce inflammation, increase mental clarity, maintain healthy blood sugar levels and create a feeling of fullness.

If you are looking to try a new superfood in your smoothie, this fruit truly has the most to offer in overall nutrient and antioxidant content.

Active Properties

The medicinal properties of Baobab fruit can be attributed to its high antioxidant levels as well as its vitamin and mineral content. It is the phytonutrients within foods that will improve immunity, reduce inflammation and boost energy. Regularly adding superfoods, like baobab fruit, to your diet is an excellent strategy to increase the nutrition in your diet.

Also, Baobab fruit is 50% fiber, of which 75% is soluble fiber and 25% is insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is known to reduce cholesterol, maintain healthy blood sugar levels and helps to fill your stomach to create a feeling of fullness.

How Do I Take Baobab Fruit?

It has a unique tangy fruit flavor that some describe as, “caramel pear with subtle tones of grapefruit”. In Africa, you can experience this fruit first hand; otherwise you will find it in powder form. You can add 1-3 teaspoons to smoothies, juices, nut milks, yogurt, or sprinkled on oatmeal or cereal. You can also add it to muffins, homemade energy bars and other baking, however heat will destroy antioxidants.