Baobab : More health benefits than the acai and goji berries you know

When I was younger I could spend hours in the cosmetics section of Thrifty’s learning about skin cleansers and moisturizers. Now imagine the same enthusiasm for exploring the aisle of superfoods, organic extracts, and natural health remedies at the market. It’s how you discover new things, such as the amazing South African superfruit baobab. The market employee couldn’t stop raving about all the benefits this citrus flavored superfruit. 

Into the cart it went, and after a few weeks of trying it, I was left wondering, “Why I had I not discovered this earlier?” I ventured into the world of baobab by trying out Powbab’s superfruit chews (It sounds like a tongue twister). When the label promises a 100% of my recommended daily antioxidant dosage, along with daily serving of Vitamins C, E & A, I figured why not. These bitesize nibbles combine baobab along with pomegranate and acai berries. The health benefits of the acai berry are well known, so I figured I had nothing to lose, and a whole lot to gain. It was was one of the best gambles I took. 

Among some of the most notable health benefits of the African superfruit are:

A single serving of offers 25 mg of Vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid, a naturally occurring organic compound with antioxidant properties

• Up to 7 times more Vitamin C than goji berries

• 25 times more Vitamin C than acai berries

A single serving offers 3 grams of soluble fiber and 1 gram of insoluble fiber, which reduces cholesterol levels and to reducing risk of heart disease

• 19 times the amount of fiber of goji berries

• 8.5 times the amount of fiber of acai berries

Being high in antioxidant levels means baobab reduces free radicals, the molecules you hear referenced in beauty treatments. Free radicals are responsible for damaging our body cells. The oxidative stress that oxygen-free radicals cause is held as reason why our bodies age. This superfruit fills your body naturally to fight the anti aging process.

This little African fruit contains so many health and beauty benefits, your body will love you for adding it into your diet. Foods rich in Vitamin C are a cornerstone of the anti-wrinkle diet. Vitamin C, whether derived from foods or dietary supplements, helps your body form collagen and elastin, two structural proteins that give your skin support and elasticity. 

Adding Vitamin C rich foods such as baobab to your diet might also enhance your body's fat burning capabilities during a workout. A team of scientists from Arizona State University discovered that people with low blood concentrations of Vitamin C burned 25 percent less fat during a 60-minute walk on a treadmill, compared with those who had adequate levels of Vitamin C in their blood. 

The potential weight loss effects of Vitamin C may be linked to the fact that it is needed for the production of carnitine, a compound that encourages your body to turn fat into fuel, rather than to store it as body fat. Also, Vitamin C rich foods also combat varicose veins because they help our cardiovascular system work more efficiently. Vitamin C keeps our body working smart, regenerating, and maximizing how our processes work instead of slowing down as we age. 

If you’re still not sold on the superfood benefits of baobab, what would your liver say when it heard this superfruit will help realign it’s internal cleansing. It works hard detoxifying toxic substances, including metabolic wastes, and excreting them from your body. Over time, high exposure to toxins such as cigarette smoke, chemicals, alcohol and other substances can cause damage to the liver and limit its detoxifying capabilities. 

Help your body get it’s groove back by fueling it with restorative superfoods like baobab. This superfruit comes from a tree referred to as “The Tree of Life,” which usually are over 1,000+ years old. They supply your body with a myriad of beneficial minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc. 

Human beings have been on this planet for a long time. Before there were planes, trains, and automobiles, we had to look to our backyards to feed ourselves with goodness. Let’s embrace what modern technology has given us. Now we can visit every global ‘backyard,’ and learn about their wholesome native foods. The magical African fruit, baobab, comes from a tree named after life. After trying it, my body knows why. Hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Natural Weight-Loss and Super Food

Buckwheat, despite its name, is not a type of wheat, but actually a fruit seed. This gluten-free, low glycemic index, complex carb is cultivated for its grain-like seeds from the plant, named “fagopyrum esculentum.” Buckwheat is related to sorrels and rhubarb, and is a great source of protein and minerals (like magnesium). It’s also really high in fiber, which helps fill you up faster and suppresses your appetite, aiding in weight loss.

Similar to the size of wheat kernels, but in a triangular shape, buckwheat comes in many different forms. Most commonly, it’s sold after the outer hull is removed with special milling equipment, and is roasted. This form of buckwheat is called “kasha.” You can buy it in the bulk section of your local market, or in a packaged container. You can also find buckwheat ground into flour form to use for baking. It’s a great substitute for wheat, oats, rye and barley.

Some interesting facts about your new favorite Superfood:

Buckwheat is heart healthy. The phytochemicals, which protect against disease by acting as antioxidants, found in buckwheat help protect against heart disease.

Buckwheat helps protect breast cancer with its ample amount of dietary fiber. The fiber also improves your digestive health and prevents blood sugar fluctuations.

Buckwheat helps lowers high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Buckwheat is a rich source of antioxidants, especially rutin, and vitamins, like Vitamin E.

Give buckwheat a try! Use buckwheat flour to make gluten-free baked goods, or pancakes. Cook up a pot in the morning and swap out your usual oatmeal. Add cooked buckwheat to sups or stews to make them heartier. Please share with me what you like about this amazing substitute for wheat, oats, rye, and barley. And have fun in the kitchen!

¼  cup of uncooked Buckwheat has 142 calories, 5g of protein, 31g of carbohydrates (3g dietary fiber, 0g sugars) and 1g of fat.

If you can’t find it at your local market, here’s a great brand to purchase from online: RedMills.