Benefits of Baobab Powder and Baobab Smoothie Recipes

For centuries, different parts of the baobab tree have been used as folk remedy for helping with various conditions such as poor digestion, dry skin, and weak immune system.

In fact, Baobab fruit has such a strong nutritional profile of important vitamins and minerals that is has recently been called a “superfood”.

In this article we will discuss the important benefits of the baobab fruit and give you some amazing baobab smoothie recipes to get you started.

Baobab Health Benefits and Origin

The baobab tree originates from the Middle East, Australia, and parts of Africa. People of those regions have traditionally used its leaves, bark, and seeds to treat a number of digestive problems. Baobab fruit is edible and has been a staple in the above mentioned parts of the world.

However, in the western world, you are more likely to find powdered baobab fruit.

The Food and Drug Administration has labeled it as “generally recognized as safe,” though you should not exceed a certain daily limit. There are three generally known health benefits of baobab powder.

Improves Gastrointestinal Health

Baobab fruit powder is rich in polyphenol and soluble fiber. Polyphenols are known to reduce starch digestion and spikes in blood sugar levels.

The fibers found in baobab fruit act as a prebiotic and help the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria. Local tribes have used it to treat both diarrhea and constipation.

Babobab power is almost 50% fiber and has high bio-availability for easier absorption by the body.

Improves the Immune System

Baobab fruit contains high concentrations of carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, protein, and lipids. 40 grams of baobab fruit powder can supply up to 100% of the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of vitamin C.

The fruit has more antioxidants than acai berries and more calcium than milk. Traditionally it has been used as an antiviral and anti-inflammatory medication. Related article: Immune Boosting Smoothie Recipes

Improves Hydration and Skin Health

Since baobab is so densely packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, it promotes the formation of collagen.

Some of these antioxidants such as flavonoids, bioflavonoids, tannins, and flavanols are believed to have anti-aging properties. These can help you maintain a radiant skin tone and keep it wrinkle-free.

These properties make it a favorite of many beauty companies. Some women apply it directly onto their skin rather than consuming it.

Taste and Nutritional Benefits

The fruit inside has a citrus-like taste but can be a little sour for some people. However, depending on where it comes from, the taste can be sweet as well. It is worth noting that baobab fruit powder is sometimes used as seasoning in dishes and salads.

The amazing nutritional benefits of baobab stem from the fact that the fruit is so tightly packed with active ingredients such as multiple types of antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber.

It has as much as 10 times more vitamin c than oranges, as well as high levels of magnesium, potassium, calcium, and fiber.

As mentioned earlier, Baobab’s high levels of fiber can help your body control blood sugar levels and regulate the digestive tract. The abundance of vitamin C makes sure your system has sufficient amounts of iron.

Important Things to Consider

Baobab fruit powder has a shelf life of up to three years. The fruit is harvested in the wild and dried in the sun before being ground into powder. It goes without saying that you should keep baobab fruit powder away from humidity, but it doesn’t have to stay in the fridge.

There are many different brands that purport to offer the benefits of baobab powder. Some are used as food/bodybuilding supplement while others have more medicinal purposes. For the best results, baobab fruit powder should be 100% organic and additive free.

Although you can sprinkle baobab powder on food, bake with it, or stir it into a stew, an easy way to consume it is in a smoothie. You just add an appropriate amount of the powder into your favorite smoothie and blend it until you get the desired texture.

Recommended Dose of Baobab Fruit Powder

As of this writing, there is no conclusive evidence on how much to take on a daily basis. However, most of the smoothie recipes recommend between a ½ teaspoon and 1/4 a cup of baobab fruit powder.

The brand we mentioned above recommends using 2 tablespoons per smoothie recipe.

Best Baobab Smoothie Recipes to Try

Berry Baobab Smoothie

This simple smoothie with baobab is a good one for people that are new to smoothies and kids will love it. It is jam-packed with important antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals..

The preparation is simple as well. Just put all the ingredients into a smoothie blender, mix it to the desired texture and you are good to go.

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons of baobab fruit powder
• 1 small banana
• 1 cup of frozen mixed berries
• ½ cup of watermelon
• 1 cup of water (or coconut water)
• Optional: 1 cup of spinach

Citrus Boost Green Smoothie

This nutrient-dense smoothie has a nice sweet and creamy richness. It can be used a meal replacement for healthy weight loss with its filling combination of chia seeds and avocado.

Ingredients:

• 1 Orange (peeled)
• 3-4 Strawberries
• 1/4 Grapefruit
• 1 cup spinach
• 1/2 Avocado
• 1/4 Cup Raspberries
• 1 Tablespoon Chia seeds (raw or pre-soaked)
• 1 1/2 cups water

Strawberry, Mango and Baobab Smoothie

This smoothie from Blissful Basil has a nice sweetness and the mango makes it very creamy. Since this smoothie includes Medjool dates you might need to soak them for a while if your blender can’t handle them.

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cup of frozen strawberries
• 1 fresh mango (remove pit and peel)
• ¾ cup of unsweetened plant milk
• ½ cup of water
• 4 Medjool dates
• 1 tsp of baobab powder

Golden Smoothie Recipe

This smoothie from Eden Project takes a litle more preparation but is worth trying due its unique flavor combination.

The ingredients used not only help you boost your energy and immune system but also deal with digestion problems. The ingredients below will make 5 or more cups of baobab smoothie.

Preparation: In a pan, add the water, ginger, cinnamon, sugars, and turmeric and bring it all to the boil, then let it cool for a while. Once chilled, put it in a blender with all the other ingredients and mix to the desired density.

Ingredients:

• 1 banana
• 1 liter of coconut milk
• 5 finely-chopped mint leaves
• Juice from 1 lime
• 4 cups of water
• 2 tsp of panela sugar
• 2 tsp of baobab powder
• 1 tsp of dried turmeric
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1-2 tsp of caster sugar
• A pinch of ground ginger

Conclusion

Many people don’t know that “The Tree of Life” in The Lion King is actually a Baobab. Now, besides the trivia, you are aware of the amazing nutritional and health benefits of baobab fruit powder.

It really is a superfood with a high level of antioxidants and unique properties for calming an upset stomach and boosting the immune system,

Give Baobab fruit a try and let us know what you think.