In about two weeks, on the last day of the Olympics in Rio, men and women from around the globe will compete in their marathon finals. Of course, as I always say, you don’t need to run marathons to stay fit. In fact, many marathon runners suffer from joint problems and other health concerns later in life.
But even before those problems set in, marathon running takes a tremendous toll on the body. That’s why many of the fastest marathon runners in the world rely on one little-known fruit from Africa called baobab (pronounced bay-oh-bab).
If you’ve never heard of baobab that’s because it’s virtually impossible to find it in the U.S. But there’s good news. You can now get all the benefits of this powerhouse fruit without having to travel all the way to Africa. And without having to run a marathon.
How one massive tree provides such an abundance of sustenance
In Africa, baobab is known as the “tree of life.” Fitting, since some of these massive trees are thought to be up to 6,000 years old. Baobab grows throughout the woodlands, grasslands, and savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa. It can reach heights of 75 feet, and its roots can spread even further out.
African communities rely on the whole tree for their daily existence. They use the cork-like bark to make cloth and rope. They use water from the trunk stores during times of drought. They use its leaves in traditional medicines. And they eat the tasty and nutritious coconut-sized fruit to stay energized and alert.
Let’s take a closer look at the impressive amount of nutrients in this “tree of life.”
Calcium. Research shows that baobab leaves are very rich in calcium — between 1,500 to 2,250 mg in every 100 grams. Only amaranth, okra, onion leaves, and sorrel provide better plant-based sources of calcium. And the same amount of whole milk only has 113 mg of this essential mineral.
Vitamin C. Baobab fruit pulp has between 150 to 500 mg of this vitamin per 100 grams. How does that stack up to other food sources of C? Well, oranges only have 53 mg, kiwis have 93 mg, and even potent yellow bell peppers have only 184 mg.
Magnesium. Baobab pulp has an average of 195 mg of magnesium per 100 grams. In contrast, magnesium-rich foods like dark leafy greens have 79 mg. Mackerel has 97 mg. Only squash and pumpkin seeds have more magnesium than baobab.
Antioxidants. Baobab’s antioxidant levels are (almost) off the charts. One gram of baobab fruit pulp has an integral antioxidant capacity (IAC) reading of 11, and the leaves have an IAC of 9. Check out how that compares to the IACs of popular “high-antioxidant” fruits: strawberries (1), kiwi (0.3), apple (0.2), and orange (0.1).
Polyphenols. Baobab is loaded with these polyphenols. In fact, one study showed that baobab extract mixed into water helped people digest dietary starch better — and reduced their blood glucose levels. Other studies have revealed that the fruit has potent inflammation-fighting effects.
And that list is just the beginning…research also shows baobab is a good source of manganese, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc. It also has A and B vitamins and lutein — which are essential for brain and eye health.
No wonder marathoners rely on this fruit before, after and during their grueling runs. And no wonder men and women in Africa who eat baobab feel fit and spry all the days of their life.
So how can you benefit from this “tree of life”?
As I mentioned earlier, you’re not likely to find the actual baobab fruit in your local supermarket’s produce section. Unfortunately, it just doesn’t travel well. So most Americans can’t sit down to a menu of dishes made from baobab leaves or fruit.
However, you can find baobab in my new formula called CoreForce BioBlend, along with four other natural powerhouses shown to support healthy aging. CoreForce supports your brain, heart, memory, metabolism, energy, and so much more.
When I developed the formula, I knew the effects would be strong. But even I couldn’t have imagined I’d feel so energized, alert, and cheerful so quickly. In fact, when I tried a test sample of CoreForce in May, I experienced an almost immediate boost in both energy and mood.
If you’re not already taking CoreForce BioBlend, I urge you to click here to learn more about it and what it can do for you, starting today.
Sources:
“Baobab food products: a review on their composition and nutritional value.” Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2009 Mar; 49(3):254-74.
USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release 27 http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list.
“The use of photochemiluminescence for the measurement of the integral antioxidant capacity of baobab products.” Food Chemistry 2007; 102(4): 1352–1356.
“The polyphenol-rich baobab fruit (Adansonia digitata L.) reduces starch digestion and glycemic response in humans.” Nutr Res. 2013 Nov;33(11):888-96.