Benefits of Baobab Fruit
Medically reviewed by Jamie Johnson, RDN
The baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.) is a tree native to Africa and is valued for its cultural significance and traditional medicine. The baobab tree typically grows in arid (dry) and semi-arid climates. The whole baobab tree is edible, and the fruit is one of the more commonly prepared parts of the tree. The fruit of the baobab tree contains a chalky pulp and black seeds that have many traditional and cultural uses in the preparation of food, drinks, and medicines for various ailments.
The baobab fruit has grown in popularity for its nutritional benefits, including as a good source of a variety of vitamins and minerals, fiber, and fatty acids (such as omega-3s). Baobab powder, made from the baobab fruit, is commercially available and can be added to foods and drinks, such as smoothies or tea.
This article discusses the traditional and cultural uses of baobab, its nutritional benefits, and how you can incorporate it into your diet.
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Which Part of the Baobab Tree Is Edible?
The whole baobab tree offers medicinal and nutritional benefits. The following parts of the baobab tree itself as well as the fruit it produces are edible:
Pulp of the fruit
Fruit seeds
Flowers
Leaves
Bark
Roots
The baobab fruit is one of the more commonly eaten parts of the baobab tree and can serve as an ingredient in meals and beverages. The outside of the fruit is tough and becomes brittle when it ripens, while the pulp on the inside is chalky and mealy. The pulp tastes tangy and sweet; some describe it as citrusy. The seeds of the fruit might be fermented and used for flavoring.
Baobab Fruit Medicinal Uses and Benefits
Baobab has several medicinal properties. Parts of the baobab tree have been used in traditional medicine to treat various health issues, including:
The baobab fruit, on its own, has several medicinal uses. The fruit pulp and seeds are processed differently to incorporate them as traditional treatments. For example, the pulp may be extracted into a liquid, and the seeds may be made into a powder or pressed into oil. In South Africa, for instance, the seed powder is used for cough relief.
Baobab Nutrition Facts and Compounds
The different parts of the baobab tree are popular for the nutritional value they provide, promoting their use in the preparation of food and beverages. Research has shown that the leaves, pulp, and seeds contain several nutrients, including:
Vitamins A, C, D, E, and F
Vitamins B1, B2, and B6
Essential and nonessential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 and linoleic acid, linolenic acid, and oleic acid, respectively)
Fiber
The fruit pulp, specifically, is touted for its high vitamin C content, almost 10 times higher than that of oranges. The seeds of the baobab fruit are also nutritious and may be eaten fresh, dried, or ground. Baobab seeds share similar mineral content with the seeds of Nigella sativa, a plant native to parts of Africa, Asia, and the Mediterranean. Baobab seeds are a good source of the following minerals:
Phosphorous
Calcium
Magnesium
Baobab leaves are also nutritious and rich in several vitamins and minerals, much like the pulp and seeds.
Baobab Compounds
Baobab has been found to have several bioactive compounds (chemicals found in foods) that produce anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. For example, both pulp extract and seed extract from the baobab fruit have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, the pulp extract has tannins and flavonoids, which are bioactive compounds that can improve insulin response in people with diabetes.
Other bioactive compounds that contribute to the health and medical benefits of baobab include:
Polyphenols such as tannins and flavonoids: Act as natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents and improve glucose metabolism
Phytic acids: Reduce blood glucose levels and reduce oxidative stress
Carotenoids: A type of antioxidant
How to Eat Baobab
Baobab can be prepared and eaten in numerous ways, depending on the part of the baobab tree. For example, the pulp of the baobab fruit can be dissolved in water or milk and then used in a beverage, cooking, or baking. The seeds and leaves can be ground into a powder for sauces. The leaves can also be cooked down like spinach.
Outside of traditional uses, baobab fruit powder is a common way to eat baobab. Baobab powder can be incorporated into soups, sauces, baking recipes, and smoothies.
Brewing Baobab Tea
Baobab tea can be made simply by mixing commercially available baobab powder in hot water. You can add spices like ginger or turmeric or flavoring, such as lemon and a sweetener, to enhance the taste. Some powders will have specific instructions for brewing the best cup of baobab tea.
Should Anyone Not Consume Baobab?
In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) deemed baobab dried fruit pulp as a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) food ingredient. That the use of baobab as a medicine is not regulated by the FDA is important to note.
Speak to a healthcare provider about any questions you may have about adding baobab to your diet.
Cultural Significance and Uses
The baobab tree is celebrated for its multipurpose uses in food and medicine. Also known as the “monkey bread tree,” “dead rat tree,” “cream of tartar tree,” and “upside-down tree,” baobab is incredibly versatile in its cultural uses, especially given the many ways the different parts of the baobab tree are prepared as traditional medicines for various ailments.
For example, the seeds can be made into a powder extract to treat coughs, similar to Pelargonium sidoides, an herb native to South Africa. Below are other cultural and traditional uses of baobab as medicine:
The pulp extract is used as a hydrating agent to help with diarrhea and dysentery.
The pulp and seeds are used as an antiparasitic agent against worms.
The seed oil is used as a hydrating agent for eczema and psoriasis.
The fruit and seeds are used as a diuretic.
The bark is processed into an extract to treat anemia and promote wound healing.
The leaves are mixed with water as a fever remedy.
The baobab fruit is also culturally significant as a versatile food. The baobab fruit, also called “monkey bread,” is a staple food in several Central African regions. It is the main ingredient in a soup called miyan kuka, and the pulp is used to prepare drinks and cereals.
Summary
The baobab tree, which is native to Africa, is valued for its nutritional benefits and uses in traditional medicine. The whole baobab tree is edible and used in various traditional medicines, though the baobab fruit may be one of the more popular parts of the tree for its nutritional and medicinal value.
Baobab fruit is packed with nutrients and is a staple food in the preparation of many meals and beverages. Baobab fruit powder has grown in popularity as a nutritious ingredient to add to food and drinks, such as smoothies and tea. For specific questions about the nutritional benefits of baobab, speak with a healthcare provider or nutritionist.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
