The African Treasure: Embrace The Benefits Of Baobab Powder

With use dating back thousands of years, baobab has a long and rich history. But with the advent of convenient supplements, what is it about this African treasure that's still so alluring to those looking to improve their well-being? Well, wonder no longer as we delve into everything you need to know about baobab, and what to expect if you want to try it yourself.

What is baobab powder?

First, let's garner an understanding of what baobab powder is. Derived from the tree of the same name, otherwise referred to as Adansonia digitata, baobab grows naturally in tropical Africa, but it is also known to flourish in India and Madagascar. The tree grows to its full size extremely quickly in its life, and can even reach heights of 96 feet (~29m) with a diameter of around 36 feet (~11m). Not only this, but baobab has the potential to live for a very long time—up to 3,000 years! However, it's the fruit of the baobab tree that's used for holistic purposes. Due to the warm climate in which it grows, the fruits naturally dehydrate, and then the contents are crushed and filtered through a screen to create the baobab powder.

Baobab Powder Organic

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How to use baobab powder

With a sweet, light citrus taste, baobab powder is extremely flavourful, versatile, and has many applications. It's as simple as sprinkling a little onto fruit, cereal, or even ice cream. Many users even add it to recipes, such as when making cakes, bread, or brownies. Or, if you really want to keep things simple, you can take a spoonful of baobab powder and stir it into a glass of water, fruit juice, or a smoothie.

Outside of the kitchen, it's entirely possible to make your own baobab capsules so you can experience all of the potential benefits without any flavour. When using this powder, the possibilities are endless. Some users have even taken to creating oils out of their powder, and combining them with cosmetic products such as face creams, lotions, and shampoos.

How to dose baobab powder

When it comes to dosing, how much baobab powder is sufficient to enjoy the flavour and the possible benefits? It's thought that the recommended daily amount is between 5 and 15g, or about 1 to 3 teaspoons of powder. When taking any supplement, it's always a good idea to form a baseline of how you feel before, during, and after using it. This way, you can gauge how different doses affect you.

What are the possible benefits of baobab powder?

So, now that you know precisely what baobab powder is and some of its applications, what can you expect regarding its effects? Teeming with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, baobab powder contains a unique chemical complex that has earned the attention of medical researchers and health-conscious individuals.

In what follows, we review the available research on baobab’s potential wellness benefits.

✅ May aid weight loss

It's thought that adding a little baobab to your diet may positively impact weight loss. But this is not just down to chance. As baobab powder is packed full of fibre, with over 30% soluble fibre, it has the potential to keep users fuller for longer. A study on 20 participants shows that individuals who drank a smoothie containing 15g of baobab powder experienced reduced hunger compared to those given a placebo drink (Garvey et al., 2017). That said, baobab powder is not directly sought-after as a means of weight loss, and more research is needed before any concrete conclusions can be drawn.
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✅ May impact inflammation

Another condition for which baobab powder has been researched is inflammation. As the powder is full of antioxidants, it's thought that these could impact the body in a way that promotes a healthy inflammatory response. Although research has been limited to animals at this time, preliminary results show an association between baobab powder intake and reduced inflammatory markers (Ghoneim et al., 2016). However, until human trials are carried out, we won't have any definitive evidence on baobab powder’s true impact in inflammation.
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✅ May boost energy

As a potential alternative to your morning coffee, many users state that baobab can provide a boost of energy. Being rich in vitamin C, a vitamin that helps to regulate energy release and reduce feelings of fatigue and tiredness, baobab powder could offer up a little bit of energy when you need it most by preserving the levels you have. Of course, you can always look to add a little powder to your coffee for a more significant boost.

✅ May promote gut health

The high-fibre nature of baobab isn't just beneficial for individuals looking to manage their weight; it may even help to keep your gut healthy. One study shows that those who took baobab powder experienced increased bowel movements when constipated (Yang, 2012). The fibre found in baobab is also prebiotic, which means it feeds the good bacteria in your gut, aiding digestion and potentially lowering the chance of other associated ailments.
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✅ Rich in vitamin C

It's certainly no secret that baobab is chock-full of vitamins and minerals. In fact, its vitamin C content is actually six times the amount of that found in oranges. Vitamin C plays a role in supporting and maintaining many functions within the body, such as bone health, skin cell turnover, and immunity.

What are some possible side effects of using baobab powder?

Like most supplements, there are some side effects associated with baobab use, although these typically occur at higher doses and are relatively minor. As baobab powder is rich in fibre, ingesting it can result in diarrhoea and some abdominal pain. This can usually be remedied by adjusting the dose. Overall, baobab in all of its forms is known to be safe and does not have any other reported side effects. However, if you have any concerns, you should always consult with your doctor before taking baobab powder.

Experience baobab powder for yourself

Despite a long history of use, baobab still has a place in the world today. With many potential benefits to experience, there's plenty to love about this powdered fruit extract. So all that's left to do is check it out for yourself. Fortunately, adding some baobab into your life has never been easier, whether you're looking to sprinkle some on your favourite foods, create delicious drinks, or make your own cosmetics.

Adam Parsons

Professional cannabis journalist, copywriter, and author Adam Parsons is a long-time staff member of Zamnesia. Tasked with covering a wide range of topics from CBD to psychedelics and everything in between, Adam creates blog posts, guides, and explores an ever-growing range of products.

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