Dear customer Baobab: The Perfect Ingredient for Endurance Sports Drinks In endurance sports such as distance running, cycling and triathlons, nutrition plays two important roles; hydration and energy. Although most sports drinks are great at replenishing electrolytes which are the key to hydration, most do not cater for the slow-release energy requirements of the endurance athlete. This is because the sports drinks industry has typically focused on the immediate energy needs of explosive sports (gym, racket sports, etc) where rapid short term energy boosts are required. But for endurance performance, slower and more durable sources of energy are needed. In this newsletter, we talk about why Baobab Fruit Powder is becoming increasingly popular as a natural source of both electrolytes and slow-release energy. By providing several benefits (including prebiotic dietary fibre, Vitamin C and essential minerals) for the price of one ingredient, Baobab is driving a flood of new product launches in the beverage category. Some of the many Baobab beverage products on the market |
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Baobab as a natural source of electrolytes Electrolytes (potassium, sodium and magnesium) are minerals responsible for directing water to those areas in your body that need it most. They also help maintain optimal fluid balance within cells themselves. As a result, sports drinks containing these minerals help retain the body's water and electrolyte concentrations during exercise. Athletes exercising for three or more hours continuously who do not consume electrolytes are at risk of dehydration. Sports drinks typically contain 20-60mg electrolytes per 100ml. Adding just 5g of Baobab Fruit Powder would triple the electrolyte content of most sports drinks. Coconut water is also famous as a rehydration drink because of its high (180mg) Potassium levels. Adding 5g of Baobab would boost coconut water's Potassium content by 50%, whilst also providing a host of other nutrients such as Vitamin C, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and prebiotic dietary fibre. |
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Baobab converts sugars into slow-release energy The body converts carbohydrates into glucose, which then enters the bloodstream as an energy source to fuel the body’s cells. However not all carbohydrates release glucose at the same rate. Fast-release carbs, or high Glycemic Index (GI) foods, release glucose into the bloodstream rapidly, causing a spike in blood sugar levels. Slow-release, or low GI, carbs foods provide a slower and more sustained release of energy. However when fast-release carbs are ingested in combination with dietary fibre, the fibre acts as a Glycemic Moderator slowing the release of glucose into the blood. Effectively, dietary fibre turns fast-release carbs into slow-release carbs! Most sports drinks contain around 6g of sugars which are fast-release carbs, which are great for explosive sports. But hardly any contain a Glycemic Moderator which can convert these sugars into slow-release energy. Baobab Fruit Powder contains 55% dietary fibre. This means that adding 10g of Baobab Fruit Powder to a 100ml sports drink provides 6g of dietary fibre, which research by Oxford Brookes University in the UK has shown to significantly slow the release of simple carbohydrates. This means that any fast-release sugars added to a Baobab sports drink are converted into slow-release energy, perfect for endurance performance. Traditional use |
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Baobab’s hydrating and slow-release energy properties also has provenance in Sudan where it is mixed with water and sugar to make a nutritious refreshing drink. In a survey of Baobab use in Sudan, researchers found that more than 50% of respondents drank it before breaking fast each day during the month of Ramadan where dehydration can be a risk because Muslims are not permitted to drink any water during daylight hours. They also found that 70% of respondents continued to make this Baobab drink on a daily basis outside the month of Ramadan. |
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About Baobab Exports Baobab Exports Ltd is the sales and marketing arm of EcoProducts B’Ayoba, the world's leading Baobab operation. A partnership between two leading Baobab Fruit producers, EcoProducts B’Ayoba is Africa's only FairWild, Organic and FSSC 22000 Version 5 certified Baobab operation. We have impeccable social-impact credentials, working directly with over 5,000 registered rural African harvesters. Our supply chains are fully traceable and sustainable, with environmental and training programs in place to protect the Baobab tree populations. As a result, we are a member of the Union for Ethical Biotrade. We are also founders of the African Baobab Alliance, a non-profit organisation dedicated to growing the positive social and environmental impact of the Baobab industry. Global reach: warehouse locations - California warehouse - servicing North and South American customers
- Netherlands warehouse - servicing European and Middle Eastern customers
- South Africa warehouse - servicing Asian and Australasian customers
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We hope you found this information useful. Promoting and formulating with Baobab Fruit Powder is all about knowledge, and our team has decades of combined experience to support you and your business in your efforts. Contact us to discuss any aspects of Baobab nutrition, functionality, new product development, research, PR, marketing or social impacts. Our team is ready to answer all of your questions, as well as provide you with samples, specifications and pricing. We look forward to working with you. |
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Henry Johnson Sales Manager Tel: +44 7921 137595 Baobab Exports Ltd Web: baobabexports.com |
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