Diabetes is a Global Epidemic

According to the CDC, Diabetes affects 81 million people in the USA, and 40 % of the US population is overweight. Diabetes causes serious health complications and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and nerve damage.

Research shows that Baobab fruit powder improves the glycemic response when added to food or beverages. These findings indicate that baobab fruit powder could help prevent and manage obesity and type 2 diabetes. It is thought that specific groups of antioxidants called polyphenols contained in baobab fruit powder are responsible for this effect. 

Glycemic Index

The glycemic index ranks carbohydrates on a scale from 1 to 100 according to how much they raise blood sugar levels after eating. Foods with a high GI (equal to or greater than 70) are rapidly digested, absorbed, and metabolized and produce marked fluctuations in blood sugar levels. Low GI (similar to or less than 55) carbohydrates – the ones that have more minor changes in your blood glucose and insulin levels – reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It is also one of the keys to maintaining weight loss. (glycemicindex.com)

Baobab fruit powder improves the glycemic response

Researchers at the University Egas Moniz in Portugal showed that drinking a mix of baobab fruit powder in water significantly slowed the rise of blood sugar levels. These results parallel the observations made at the University of Oxford, showing that Baobab powder added to food improved glycemic response.

Polyphenols

The beneficial effect of Baobab Fruit Powder on blood sugar results from its high concentration of bioactive compounds called polyphenols. Baobab fruit powder is rich in epicatechin and procyanidins, which have an anti-hyperglycemic effect. Polyphenols can affect the secretion of insulin and the cellular absorption of glucose.

Fiber

Baobab fruit powder is 48% fiber which may also contribute to lower glucose levels blood factor reducing glucose absorption in the gut. 75% of Baobab fruit powder is soluble fiber This type of fiber dissolves and forms a gel-like substance in your stomach, slowing down digestion. It helps control your blood sugar and cholesterol, which can help prevent and manage diabetes complications.

Antioxidants

Baobab Fruit Powder includes powerful antioxidants which inhibit free radical activity. Procyanidin, one of the primary polyphenols in Baobab fruit powder, prevents advanced glycation product (AGE) formation in the pancreas. Glycation end products play a causative role in the vascular complications of diabetes mellitus. In addition, baobab fruit powder inhibits postprandial production of reactive oxygen species, O2 anions, and Nitric acid radicals which are associated with vascular and endothelial dysfunction.

References

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Diabetes Statistics Report website. https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/data/statistics-report/index.html.

2. 2 Coe SA, Clegg M, Armengol M, Ryan L. The polyphenol-rich baobab fruit (Adansonia digitata L.) reduces starch digestion and glycemic response in humans. Nutr Res. 2013 Nov;33(11):888-96

3. Braca A, Sinisgalli C, De Leo M, Muscatello B, Cioni PL, Milella L, Ostuni A, Giani S, Sanogo R. Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant and Antidiabetic Activities of Adansonia digitata L. (Baobab) from Mali, as a Source of Health-Promoting Compounds. Molecules. 2018 Nov 27;23(12):3104.