Baobab powder: uses and nutritional benefits

• Regulates digestive transit (fiber): Baobab powder contains a lot of fiber. Whatever the nature of the fiber, provided in large quantities, they stimulate digestive transit by increasing the total volume of stools. However, in low doses, Baobab powder diluted in water: a Baobab solution, is traditionally used to combat diarrhea.

• Prebiotic (fiber): Baobab contains insoluble and soluble fiber. Within the digestive tract, they serve as a substrate for the intestinal microbiota, which positively influences the composition of the latter.

• Hypocholesterolemic (fiber, beta-sisterol): the fibers in Baobab powder are accompanied by beta-sisterol, a phytocholesterol. Both of these compounds reduce the absorption of dietary cholesterol.

• Anti-oxidant (vitamin C): Baobab powder has a FRAP score of 10.8 mmol/100g which indicates a very high antioxidant capacity. This virtue comes from the abundance of vitamin C that Baobab powder contains. Vitamin C is a redox agent. In addition, it is involved in the regeneration of vitamin E: another antioxidant vitamin.

• Contributes to energy metabolism (carbohydrate, vitamin C): Baobab powder is a good source of carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are macronutrients, they are energy vectors: 4 kcal per 1 g. These are macronutrients important for the functioning of the body. In addition, the vitamin C present in Baobab powder also contributes to energy metabolism.

• Anti-fatigue (vitamin C): Baobab powder is traditionally used to stimulate and invigorate the body. Potentially, because of its richness in vitamin C. Vitamin C is known to reduce fatigue. In addition, it improves the absorption of non-heme iron. An iron deficiency increases the feeling of fatigue.

• Hemostatic : Baobab powder helps heal wounds. These healing and hemostatic powers are frequently cited.

• Antipoison (adansonine alkaloid): several parts of the Baobab whose fruit (which makes it possible to obtain Baobab powder) seems to contain an antidote against species poisoning strophantus. This ability comes from the alkaloid adansonine, a phytonutrient found in the Baobab tree.

• Antipyretic : a scientific study carried out on rats intentionally placed in hyperthermia, deduced that after four hours of administration of Baobab powder, their temperatures decreased. Further studies are needed to confirm this property.

• Protector of the osteoarticular system (vitamin C): vitamin C is the vitamin most widely represented in Baobab powder. It contributes to the formation of collagen, an essential protein which ensures the normal function of bones and cartilage.

• Vasculoprotective (vitamin C): through its action on the formation of collagen, vitamin C gives Baobab powder benefits for blood vessels. Collagen is a component of blood vessel walls. Baobab powder can claim to help maintain the integrity of the vascular system.

• Immunomodulating (vitamin C): Baobab powder is rich in vitamin C. The latter participates in the functioning of immune cells.

• Dental protector (vitamin C): Baobab powder contains a lot of vitamin C. Vitamin C works together to make collagen. This protein is essential for the oral cavity: the gums and teeth are richly made up of it. Vitamin C deficiency leads to scurvy: a testament to the importance of vitamin C for the oral system.

• Smoothing (vitamin C): thanks to the vitamin C intake, Baobab powder supports the preservation of the skin. It participates in the production of collagen. For the skin, collagen acts as a moisturizing and firming agent.

• Nervous rebalancing (vitamin C): through vitamin C, Baobab powder contributes to the formation of neurotransmitters. Indeed, vitamin C stabilizes the enzymes that synthesize catecholamines. Catecholamines are substances that influence the functioning of the sympathetic nervous system, such as adrenaline or dopamine.

The Baobab belongs to the Bombaceae family. It is native to Africa, Madagascar and Australia. Eight species of Baobab exist, six are native to Madagascar, one from Australia and one from Africa. Baobabs have a bizarre appearance: their trunks can reach 10 m in diameter. They are also large trees measuring up to 25 m.

They grow in hot, arid to semi-arid regions, in stony places with low rainfall. They tolerate high temperatures, up to +40°C. Quite often, they tend to develop as solitary individuals. During the rainy season, the Baobab swells greatly and absorbs up to 1,000 L of water. In this same season, it produces its leaves. Baobab leaves consist of five to seven digitate leaflets. When the dry seasons return, it loses its foliage to reduce moisture loss. The flowers are white and hang on long stems. Pollination is carried out by bats and produces Baobab berries.

These fruits have a particular shape, the pulp is protected by an external resistant capsule. The interior has a floury, powdery texture with a tangy taste. It contains many seeds. The Baobab has been traditionally used since Antiquity in traditional medicine. The seeds, leaves, roots, flowers, fruit pulp and bark of the Baobab are edible. In recent decades, it has attracted the interest of multiple industries: agri-food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and even biofuels. The Baobab was not domesticated at the time; given its lucrative potential, Baobab exploitation was only just beginning. It is estimated that production more than tripled between 1990 and 2005.

The Baobab has a multitude of names, which come from its physical characteristics, cultural or animal uses. Before discovering all of the Baobab's nicknames, let's see why it is called "Baobab". "Baobab" may come from the North African Arabic "Bibab", which means "many fruits".

In the population names, we find "the palaver tree", to indicate a place where elders meet to resolve problems; “the dead rat tree”, for the appearance of its fruits; “monkey breadfruit”, because its fruits serve as food for monkeys; “the upside down tree”, since its branches resemble roots; "the custard tree", due to the sour taste of the fruits; magic tree, chemist tree, monkey tamarind, Ethiopian sour squash, Judas bag, Senegal gourd, lemonade tree, etc...

In short, all these names show the cultural, historical, dietary, and even medicinal importance of the Baobab.