The U.S.

Department of Agriculture (USDA) has concluded that the typical American diet contains an insufficient amount of vital nutrients and essential vitamins.[1] An exhaustive array of studies shows that Americans need to increase their intake without significantly changing their dietary habits. The USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) routinely revise and update the Recommended Daily Intake (RDI) of essential nutrients and vitamins required for good health through healthy eating choices.[2] The American Dietetic Association reports that most Americans consume less than half of the RDI of 20 grams to 35 grams of fiber each day.[3] Since the dietary habits of the typical American has not changed significantly, an easily available means of introducing these essential nutrients to provide health benefits is required. One such solution is the Baobab fruit. Its powdered extract offers a readily available resource of providing all of these nutrients by simply adding this ingredient into consumable foodstuffs. It has a significant source of Fiber, Vitamin A, B, C, Iron, Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium and other essential nutrients.

ANCIENT TREE OF LIFE

The Baobab tree grows wild in the feral savannahs of South Africa and parts of India. It has been called the Ancient Tree of Life and some are believed to be thousands of years old. The vast tree trunks store up to 30,000 gallons of life-saving water for use by the local nomadic people during the long drought season. Also named the small pharmacy or chemist tree, the Baobabs Leaves, Bark, and Fruits are traditionally used as foodstuffs for medicinal purposes by the local population in Africa. Medicinal applications include treatments for intestinal and epidemic problems, as anti-inflammatory, anti-pyretic and analgesic agents. In addition, antibacterial, antiviral and anti-trypanosome activities have been reported.[4]

BAOBAB FRUIT: YOUR SOURCE FOR ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS

Baobab, also known as Adansonia Digitata L., has been consumed by the indigenous African and Indian peoples for generations due to its outstanding health benefits. The fruit of the Baobab tree is richly abundant with a vast schema of essential nutrients and minerals as well as providing a significant source of fiber.[5] When the fruit is ripe, it consists of a powdery acidic pulp which contains an extraordinary blend of vitamins and minerals. The Baobab pulp contains high levels of Fiber, Vitamin A, B, C, Iron, Nutraceuticals International Group 201-399-2333 www.nutraintlgroup.com www.baozene.com

Potassium, Calcium, and Magnesium. The pulp is contained in a protective external capsule named epicarp; the internal ripe fruit, endocarp, has been said to contain naturally occurring Omega 3, 6, 9. It appears whitish in color and has a slightly acidulous, sour taste.[6] Baobab fruit pulp has recently been introduced as a GRAS approved food ingredient in the United States.[7] Recent scientific studies confirmed the antioxidant capacity of products deriving from Adansonia Digitata L. The research was conducted as an initial step to reveal the therapeutic, nutraceutic, and cosmetic potential of the plant. This body of research concludes that products derived from the Baobab fruit pulp and leaves should be considered as new valuable ingredients for food preparation and/or nutraceutical application in the promotion of health.[8] The Baobab fruit pulp represents an important natural source of dietary fiber and is considered highly valuable because of its rich Vitamin C, Calcium, Potassium, Thiamine, and Nicotinic acid contents. Further, Baobab provides an elevated antioxidant value from its high content of ascorbic, citric, tartaric, malic and succinic acids. The fruit pulp provides critical protection against free radicals.[5][6] The benefits of ingesting the proper amount of dietary fiber have received significant clinical focus. Research shows that fiber benefits digestive health, heart health and weight management. It can help lower the risks of many cardiovascular, infectious and respiratory diseases. In an article featured on WebMD.com, Elaine Magee, MPH, RD and Louise Chang, MD report that eating a high fiber diet has shown to lower blood cholesterol levels, improve and prevent constipation, and slow digestion. Additionally, according to Barbara Rolls, PhD, author of The Columetnics Eating Plan, people consuming diets high in fiber tend to eat less and lose weight.[9] Fiber is an essential nutrient without controversy everyone agrees that our diets need plenty of it. It is not an exaggeration to say that fiber will be central to the future of the entire nutritional supplement Industry. Scientific research corroborates what our own experience has already told us fiber is an extraordinary aid to health in the young and old alike. There is no doubt that Americans are living longer than ever. Now we must find a way to live healthier than ever. Fiber is a part of the solution, and the powdered extract of the Baobab fruit is the easiest way to add fiber to any diet. Baobab fruit pulp derives its extraordinary antioxidant capability mainly from its high natural vitamin C content, almost ten times that of an orange.[10] The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for ascorbic acid is 75 mg for women and 90 mg for men. If Baobab has an ascorbic acid content of around 300 mg per 100 g pulp, the oral intake of 25 and 30 g respectively will provide the recommended daily vitamin C allowance.[11] Proper human physiology requires at least the RDA of calcium. If calcium consumption is inadequate, then the body will steal the calcium stored in the skeletal system to use for other functions. Over time this can reduce your bone strength and lead to osteoporosis.[12] Nutraceuticals International Group 201-399-2333 www.nutraintlgroup.com www.baozene.com

Potassium is an essential macro-mineral the body needs in fairly large doses. Its main functions are for normal muscle growth, water balance in your body, healthy nervous system and brain function, and balancing the pH of your body.[13] Iron is an important mineral needed to help red blood cells deliver oxygen to the rest of the body. It also aids in immune function, cognitive development, temperature regulation, energy metabolism, and work performance.[14]

Recommended Daily Intake VS Baobab

(Based on a 2000 Calorie Intake; for Adults and Children 4 or more years of age) NUTRIENT Fiber Vitamin C Potassium Calcium Iron UNIT OF MEASURE Grams (g) Milligrams (mg) Milligrams (mg) Milligrams (mg) Milligrams (mg) DAILY VALUES 25 60 3500 1000 18 BAOBAB FRUIT 50.0g/100g 100mg/100g 210mg/g >250mg/g 3.6mg/g

APPLICATIONS FOR BAOBAB

In the history of folk medicine, A. Digitata L. was used as an antipyretic and febrifuge. Clinical research supports these long time home remedies.[15] Dating back to traditional medicine, Baobab was used as a natural analgesic and to promote immune and digestive health.[16] An aqueous extract of A. Digitata L. fruit pulp exhibited significant hepatoprotective properties and research demonstrates that consumption of Adansonia Digitata L. plays an important part in human resistance to liver damage. The mechanism of liver protection is unknown, but could possibly result from triterpenoids, b-sitosterol, bamyrin palmitate, or/and a-amyrin, and ursolic acid in the fruit.[17] Baobab pulp was also used for treating fevers and dysentery. In cases of measles, the Baobab pulp extract was applied as eye-drops.[15] In some areas, the dried pulp is scraped from the fruit and made into a solution, commonly known as Baobab milk, a refreshing highly nutritious drink.[18]

Nutraceuticals International Group

201-399-2333

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Baobab is beneficial in many product applications for providing essential nutrients, flavor enrichment, and excellent binding properties. Specific applications used in the food and health industries are as follows: -Tablets -Capsules -Soft Drinks -Smoothies -Cereal -Cereal Bars -Ice Cream -Yogurt -Jams -Cosmetics

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201-399-2333

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REFERENCES
[1] http://www.fda.gov/food/labelingnutrition/consumerinformation/ucm078889.htm [2] http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentidonly=true&contentid=2011/01/0040.xml [3] http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/why-you-need-more-fiber [4] Anani et al.,2000; Hudson et al., 2000; Atawodi et al.,2003; Journal of Medicinal Plants research Vol. 3(8), pp.576-582, August 2009 [5] Magdi A. Osman, Plant Foods for Human Nutrition 59: 29-33,2004 [6] S. Vertuani et al. Acta Phytotherapeutica, Vol V, n.2, 2002, 2-7 [7] www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/fcn/gras_notices/grn000273.pdf [8] Besco, E. et al., The use of photochemiluminescence for the measurement of the, Food Chemistry (2006), doi;
10.1016/j.foodchem.2006.05.067 [9] http://www.webmd.com/diet/fiber-health-benefits-11/fiber-weight-control [10] Sidibe, M.,J.F Scheuring, D. Tembley, M.M. Sidibe, P.Hofman and M. Frigg 1996: Baobab homegrown vitamin C for Africa. Agroforestry Today 8,13-15. [11] http://www.beobab.com/en/about-baobab [12] www.calciuminfo.com/calciumquestions/default.aspx

[13] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium [14] http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5559.html [15] Fao 1988; Traditional Food Plants. FAO food and nutrition paper 42, 63-67 [16] Ramadan, A., F.M. Harraz, and S.A. ElMougy. 1994. Anti-inflammatory,alalgesic and antipyretic effects of the fruit pulp of Adansonia digitata. Fitoterapia 65:418-422. [17] A. A. Al-Qarawi et al.Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants, 2003 [18] Obizoba, I. C. and J.U. Anyika 1994: Nutritive value of baobab milk (gudbi) and mixtures of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) and hungry rice, acha (Digitaria exilis) flours, Plant Foods Hum. Nutr. 46, 157-165

Nutraceuticals International Group

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