12 health benefits of baobab!
The baobab is native to Africa and Australia, and has been exported all over the world, mainly in the form of fruit and powder as it has a velvety hard outer shell and is about 20 to 25 centimeters long, it looks like a small coconut or a large mango.
The baobab weighs about 1.5 kg, the flesh looks like marshmallows, but these “marshmallows” are not soft, the meat is rich in oil, it is dry and powdery.
Baobab powder is used in smoothies, juices, energy bars and other foods, it has a sweet and spicy taste. In addition, it has a high content of pectin, a natural thickening and binding agent in soups, sauces, puddings and porridge.
Health benefits of baobab:
1. Increase energy:
The high calories and sugar contained in baobab make it ideal for consumption after training. That’s why food companies add baobab powder to cereal bars and energy drinks, noting that magnesium also helps reduce muscle fatigue.
2. Strengthen the immune system:
Baobab contains a lot of antioxidants and minerals, which are needed to restore our bodily functions .
Consuming antioxidant-rich fruits reduces C-Reactive proteins, and the healing process will be faster. That’s why African people have used it to treat fever and malaria since ancient times.
3. Fight cancer:
Inflammation is known to be the source of all health problems in our body, including cancers. It is known that a high level of antioxidants kills and inhibits the growth of cancer cells.
4. Heart health:
LDL cholesterol and free radicals cause inflammation in blood vessels, and chronic inflammation in blood vessels causes atherosclerosis and thrombosis. Atherosclerosis will lead to high blood pressure , and if it happens in the coronary artery, we can get coronary heart disease. Thrombosis in the brain will cause a stroke.
Fortunately, baobab contains high amount of soluble fiber which helps in reducing the absorption of LDL cholesterol . The high levels of antioxidants help heal inflammation in our blood vessels, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. The high potassium content also helps in lowering blood pressure.
5. Digestive system:
The insoluble fiber present in baobab passes through our bowels, adds bulk to stools, aiding constipation, it also absorbs excess water during diarrhea, making stools the right consistency.
In addition, soluble fiber enhances probiotic effects (promoting the growth of healthy bacteria in our gut). Native Africans traditionally use it to treat diarrhea, dysentery and constipation.
6. Against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia:
Antioxidants delay the aging process caused by free radicals , and the aging process in the brain causes Alzheimer’s and dementia. This means that consumption of baobab regularly can prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as it also contains macrominerals and fatty acids that are necessary for our brain.
7. Health of bones and teeth:
Baobab contains high amount of calcium and contains phosphorus as well. In addition, calcium and phosphorus are necessary to form bone density and prevent osteoporosis, these minerals are necessary to maintain the density of dental enamel.
8. Against insomnia:
Baobab contains vitamin B which acts as tryptophan, an amino acid needed to relax the brain and provide better sleep. Calcium helps in relaxing and relieving the muscles and nervous system, while iron is needed to prevent restless leg syndromes.
Already minerals ( calcium , iron ) can calm the muscles and nervous system, also giving a better sleep, these substances can help us to have a good quality sleep.
9. Anti-Inflammatory Properties:
The antioxidants found in baobab fight inflammation in our body caused by free radicals and promote the growth of new cells.
Initially, inflammation is a process of fighting infectious agents (bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc.).
10. Skin health:
The aging process can happen very early on due to elevated free radicals in our body and environments. Antioxidants thwart free radicals , thus delaying the aging process in our body .
High antioxidants also play an excellent role in skin maintenance. Inflammation caused by free radicals makes the skin wrinkled and antioxidants prevent this process.
11. Against aging:
Baobab has vitamin C that promotes collagen production . In addition, collagen is one of the important compounds in connective tissues, including the skin.
High collagen production makes the skin look young and tight, and consumption can cure the minor inflammations that make our skin wrinkled.
12. Assists in weight loss:
The fiber present in baobab helps us to reduce food cravings, and this fiber also reduces the absorption of sugar. Excess sugar in our body will be stored in fatty tissues. So, it is good for controlling body weight.
Many health problems are related to obesity, such as heart disease , stroke, hypertension, diabetes, hormonal disorders and sleep disorder, he is able to reduce all of them in a natural way.