Dear customer

We hope you are well.

Recently we have seen an increase in enquiries and orders for Organic Baobab Fruit Powder. Why? Perhaps consumers are increasingly seeking out natural products that can help strengthen their immune system and protect themselves against the harsher effects of Coronavirus (COVID-19). Whatever the reason, when it comes to boosting the body’s natural defence system, Baobab Fruit is packed with nutrients that can help.

Vitamin C

Baobab Fruit has high vitamin C levels of 150-220 mg/100g, which is an essential vitamin that our body is unable to produce for itself. More than half a century of research has shown vitamin C has a number of activities that could conceivably contribute to its immune-enhancing effects [1]. However when it comes to viral and respiratory issues, here are some aspects of vitamin C activity that are worth noting and potentially highlighting to your customers.

• Antioxidants: Vitamin C is a highly effective antioxidant, due to its ability to readily donate electrons, thus protecting important biomolecules (proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids) from damage by oxidants generated during normal cell metabolism and through exposure to toxins and pollutants [2].
• Elderly: It is noteworthy that elderly hospitalized patients with acute respiratory infections have been shown to fare significantly better with vitamin C supplementation than those not receiving the vitamin [3].
• Smokers: Tobacco use increases susceptibility to bacterial and viral infections, in which vitamin C may play a role. For example, in a population-based study the risk of developing obstructive airways disease was significantly higher in those with the lowest plasma vitamin C concentrations (26 µmol/L) compared to never smokers, a risk that decreased with increasing vitamin C concentration [4].
• Leukocytes (white blood cells): Vitamin C has been shown to stimulate both the production and function of leukocytes, especially neutrophils, lymphocytes and phagocytes. In particular, it increases the production of interferon by the leukocytes. Interferon has known anti-viral activity [6,7,8].

Soluble Dietary Fiber

Baobab Fruit has a notably high dietary fiber content of 55%. Roughly three-quarters of this fiber content is soluble fiber, which has been found in studies to have a good prebiotic effect. Prebiotics are foods that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestine. It is vital to keep the gut healthy because these probiotic bacteria work to manufacture antibodies which detect any pathogens in the bloodstream.

There is increasing evidence that prebiotic dietary fibers can enhance various properties of the immune system, including those of the gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT). Changes in the intestinal microflora that occur with the consumption of prebiotic fibers may potentially mediate immune changes via: the direct contact of lactic acid bacteria or bacterial products (cell wall or cytoplasmic components) with immune cells in the intestine; the production of short-chain fatty acids from fiber fermentation; or by changes in mucin production [5].

Labelling Nutrition Claims

Baobab Fruit also provides opportunities for nutrition claims on retail product labels. The following table estimates the EU nutrition claims that can be made with Baobab with regard to key nutrients.

Product Comparisons

Baobab Fruit stands above other products in terms of combined vitamin C and dietary fiber. Here you can compare against popular products in both the dried goods and juices categories.

About EcoProducts B'Ayoba
 
A joint venture between two leading Baobab Fruit producers, EcoProducts B’Ayoba is Africa's only FairWild, Organic and FSSC 22000 Version 4.1 certified Baobab operation. We have impeccable social-impact credentials, providing a much needed supplemental income to over 4,500 registered rural African harvesters and their families. 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.
 

• For European and Middle Eastern customers, we deliver from our Rotterdam (Netherlands) warehouse.
• For US, Canadian & Latin American customers, we deliver from our Long Beach (California) warehouse. 
• For Asian and Australasian customers, we ship directly from South Africa.

Kind regards

1. Webb A.L., Villamor E. Update: Effects of antioxidant and non-antioxidant vitamin supplementation on immune function. Nutr. Rev. 2007;65:181. doi: 10.1111/j.1753-4887.2007.tb00298.x.
2. Carr A., Frei B. Does vitamin C act as a pro-oxidant under physiological conditions? FASEB J. 1999;13:1007–1024.
3. Hunt C., Chakravorty N., Annan G. The clinical and biochemical effects of vitamin C supplementation in short-stay hospitalized geriatric patients. Int. J. Vitam. Nutr. Res. 1984;54:65–74.
4. Sargeant L., Jaeckel A., Wareham N. Interaction of vitamin C with the relation between smoking and obstructive airways disease in EPIC Norfolk. European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Eur. Respir. J. 2000;16:397–403. doi: 10.1034/j.1399-3003.2000.016003397.x.
5. Schley, P., & Field, C. (2002). The immune-enhancing effects of dietary fibres and prebiotics. British Journal of Nutrition, 87(S2), S221-S230. doi:10.1079/BJN/2002541

6. Jariwalla RJ, Harakeh S. Mechanisms underlying the action of vitamin C in viral and immunodeficiency disease. In: Packer L, Fuchs J, eds. Vitamin C in Health and Disease. New York: Macel Dekker, Inc.; 1997:309-322.   

7. Prinz W, Bortz R, Bregin B, Hersch M. The effect of ascorbic acid supplementation on some parameters of the human immunological defence system. Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1977;47(3):248-257. 

8. Vallance S. Relationships between ascorbic acid and serum proteins of the immune system. Br Med J. 1977;2(6084):437-438.