Ubuyu is a popular snack in the East African region. The delicious snack consists of seeds coated with baobab fruit powder.  The Baobab tree, scientifically called Adansonia, grows up to thirty meters tall. It is the only tree on earth whose fruits dry on the branches.

The hairy skin often becomes smooth and brown at harvest time. Baobab fruit has a citrus flavor and several health benefits. Those who eat the Ubuyu snack enjoy these benefits unknowingly. Most of you assume Ubuyu is a snack that only kids should eat.

What you want to know is that Ubuyu is a family snack with unique health properties. This article reveals these benefits so you can see what you miss when you ignore eating Ubuyu.

Five Ways You Can Benefit from Eating Ubuyu

1. Provides Minerals and Vitamins

Baobab trees that grow in various parts of the world do not have the same nutritional content. Regardless, any Baobab plant often produces three edible parts: seeds, pulp, and leaves. Each part has unique nutrients.

Those who live where Baobabs do not grow receive dried powder or a snack like Ubuyu that contains it. The powder comes from dried seeds and kernels. It contains vitamins C and B6 and minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and fiber.

2. Promotes Weight Loss

Ubuyu snacks can help you achieve your weight loss goals faster. According to Healthline.com, Baobab can control your cravings and increase fullness in your stomach. Thus, adding baobab to your diet can help reduce your hunger pangs and food portions. This will lead to weight loss.

3. Stabilizing Blood Sugar Levels

Another incredible benefit of baobab fruit is blood sugar control and stabilization. One study’s findings show that blending baobab with white bread decelerated the rise of blood sugar levels and decreased the quantity of quickly-digested starch. Here are the conclusions drawn from this small study and others. 

The high fibre levels in Baobab reduce the absorption of sugar in your bloodstream, preventing fatal spikes. Secondly, baobab minimizes the quality of insulin necessary for controlling your blood glucose levels.

4. Reducing Inflammation in the Body

Chronic inflammation can trigger degenerative diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders. Inflammation is often severe in people who lack antioxidants and polyphenols.

Baobab fruit has these two healthy compounds in plenty. They usually protect your cells from oxidative stress that leads to inflammation and sickness in the body.

An animal-based study found that baobab can prevent oxidative stress in cells and minimize inflammation levels. While more human-based research is still necessary, these animal studies have promising findings.

5. Better Digestive Health

Ubuyu is a high-fibre snack that can promote digestive health. If you consume only 10g or one tablespoon of Ubuyu powder, you can attain up to eighteen per cent of your daily recommended value of fibre.

This results in frequent bowel movements for someone with constipation. Fibre is a prebiotic from which your gut bacteria feed to improve your digestive health. You can prevent painful conditions like IBS, intestinal ulcers, and haemorrhoids by eating a snack like Ubuyu.

Verdict

Ubuyu or Mabuyu(as kids call it) is among the top snacks in the East African region. Kids eat it casually at home or in the neighbourhood. Some even bring it to school. A nutritious snack like Ubuyu can protect your body from becoming unhealthy and sick.

Baobab is edible as a fresh pulp or powder you can add to your soups, water, smoothies, baked food, and stews. Powdered is crucial in areas where baobab fruit does not grow.