People are waking up to the importance of gut health and the importance of natural ingredients for gut health.
The term “healthy living” has taken on new meaning over the last decade. No longer is the number on the scale or the lack of illness a sign of health but rather the collective feeling of overall well being. Current trends in society have us less active than ever, we can get anything delivered right to our doorstep, diets are full of sugar and processed foods causing
“stomach disturbances like gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and heartburn.”
– (Healthline.com, ‘What is an unhealthy gut? How gut health effects you’)
People are starting to dig deeper into the “why” behind their symptoms and learning that all foods are not created equal, especially when it comes to how they effect our digestion.
Gut health is gaining attention as a leading factor in overall wellness as it is not just beneficial on a physical level, but promotes health in so many different aspects, leading to the conclusion that better gut health can lead to a better life overall.
When our gut is not performing right we feel more run down because our system is using our energy to process the food instead of feeding our brain and muscles. We don’t sleep well due to the uncomfortable side effects of our food choices whether physical like indigestion or mental like anxiety and depression.
Harvard Medical School has looked into the direct effects that bad diet have on our anxiety and suggests more whole foods for better mental health.
Africa’s “Tree of Life” Boast Solutions To Gut Troubles
What could soon be a $400 million industry by 2025, is one of the oldest traditional medicines in Africa; the fruit of the Boabab Tree.
This multifaceted fruit grows and dries naturally on the branches of its tree. Looking like a large gourd, a hard outer shell protects the citrusy pulp that not only delivers on the fiber front but is also used to treat liver disease and malaria in areas of Senegal. The bark of the tree is used to produce rope, cork, and flattened roof tiles for its harvesters, giving this extraordinary plant it’s name, “Africa’s Tree of Life” – (Thomas Pakenham, author, arborist and historian)
Let’s get back to the fiber content. 50% of the baobab fruit is fiber, of which 75% is water-soluble.
Although our bodies need both water-soluble and water-insoluble fiber, which the baobab provides, it’s the soluble part that really makes this a health food staple for any diet.
Our bodies need somewhere between 25g (for women) and 38g (for men) of fiber a day but studies show that only 20% of us are getting that. The difficulty is finding foods that have a lot of fiber, making the baobab fruit a huge game-changer. When we eat enough fiber, we feel fuller longer, more satiated with our meals leading to less intake overall. Fiber takes longer to digest which slows the entrance of glucose into the blood, thereby preventing blood sugar and insulin spikes and lowering cholesterol.
Finding the right foods that have enough fiber is key in keeping our digestion on tract but that is what consumers are having a hard time finding. Even some of the most popular health trends like chia seed and maca powder are no comparison to the baobab fruit when it comes to fiber content.
Natural Ingredients For Gut Health – Baobab Powder Leads The Way
- Boabab Fruit Powder – 50g
- Chia Seed (dried) – 33g
- Lucuma Powder – 33g
- Maca Powder – 20g
- Blueberries – 5g
- Mangos (dried) – 5g
Average fiber values per 100g against other fruits.
The most important aspect of the baobab fiber is the prebiotic influence on our gut health. Prebiotics are dietary fibers that feed friendly bacteria in the gut, improving colon health and leading to better digestion overall.
Research on the magical fruit has shown the importance of prebiotics in reducing insulin, triglycerides and cholesterol levels in obese people, reducing the risk of heart disease. – (healthline.com)
Prebiotic Fibers Improve Gut Health
Inside our digestive tract we have probiotic bacteria, which help to break down certain foods that our own bodies have difficulty digesting. The bacteria feed on the food, allowing for easy and efficient absorption of nutrients. Prebiotics work like fertilizer, increasing the amount of the good bacteria and leading to a list of benefits.
- Immune System Boost
- Slow Release of Energy for longer sustained stamina
- Promotes Healthy Blood Sugar Levels
- Assists in the absorption of Iron
- Increases Digestive Health
- Promotes Radiant Skin
Along with the prebiotic benefits, baobab is also rich in vitamin C, which increases our energy, immune function and promotes glowing skin.
Consumers Are Becoming More Conscious Of The Effects Our Food Choices Have On A Global Level
Consumer trends have been moving in the direction of more holistic health over the last decade. People are beginning to look at their overall wellbeing and happiness as a key factor in determining their health rather than just a number on the scale or lack of illness. Mental health, stress management, and a perspective of prevention rather than treatment are coming to the forefront of consumer wants and needs and many are going a step further and also taking into account where their products are being manufactured and what the impact is of the industry. Consumers are beginning to consider environmental issues like animal welfare and community engagement as reasons for supporting organic, locally sourced, fair trade goods.
The baobab fruit checks a lot of boxes for the conscious consumer.
When a product becomes attractive to western markets, the demand can create a model of exploitation, leading to lower prices and keeping local families to a dollar a day salary. With fair trade, the cost and revenue of a resource can be better controlled to improve living conditions of its producers, helping them access better health care, education and nutrition. – (atacora.com) With sustainable efforts for baobab cultivation, communities can thrive and consumers can feel good about where their money goes.
On top of wanting our food choices to have a positive effect globally, consumers are also raising their own standards for ingredients.
“A major driver of growth is rising consumer awareness of the harmful effects of synthetic ingredients. As a result, natural health product companies are seeking natural ingredients that have active and functional properties for their products. This situation represents an opportunity for baobab suppliers because of its unique properties.”
– cbi.edu
Not only does the fruit have a zingy sherbet flavor, making it complementary to a wide variety of recipes, but it also boasts a shelf life of 3 years, eliminating the need for preservatives. All of which make the healthy consumer happy.
With baobab powder, we can increase health and improve communities.