Overview
We live because we breathe. The whole faculty of respiratory wellness starts and ends with how effective our breathing is.
While some people describe breathing1 as merely the act of inhaling and exhaling air to facilitate gas exchange, it is imperative we all understand that there is more to the whole cycle. From how oxygen inhaled largely supports cellular metabolism and energy production, to how necessary it is to exhale carbon dioxide for blood pH optimization since highly acidic blood could contribute to cellular and even organ damage.1
Therefore, in order to prevent any dysfunction of that kind, respiratory wellness is paramount.
If ignored, the record statistics of at least four million deaths 2 each year, caused by chronically impaired respiratory function, together with high morbidity rates from the same dysfunctions, will continue to rise.
Fortunately, like a majority of other illnesses and conditions, this too is manageable, if not preventable. While seeking personalized medical assistance is always the advisable first line of action after infection, other natural remedies come in handy, especially in the continuous prevention and management phases. One of the products with enough endorsements for its remedial function in respiratory health, and beyond, is the baobab plant.
Native to Africa, Madagascar and Australia, with the most widespread species being the Adansonia digitata. It is also the largest succulent plant3 in the world, with all parts of the tree; leaves, fruits, seeds and bark, useful as either foodstuff or for medicinal purposes hence its nickname - The Chemist Tree4 or as others call it, The Tree of Life.
This reputation is further validated by the rich nutritional profile, which among many other benefits, plays a vital role in respiratory wellness, as we are going to explore more in the following sections.
Nutritional profile of baobab
While the baobab plant parts are well endowed with nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, manganese, copper, potassium and fat, the below four nutrients stand out when it all boils down to supporting respiratory wellness:
Fibre
A study was done showing that a low intake of fibre increases chances of wheezing, coughing and phlegm production, compared with high intakes, by countering inflammatory response.5
The baobab pulp is rich in fibre, especially pectin,6 a natural prebiotic26 beneficial for the gut microbiome, that aids in boosting immune response, especially during allergic reactions.6
Seed
Total dietary fibre: 16.9g/100g dw - 49.7g/100g dw7
Fruit pulp
Total dietary fibre - 6.0g/100g - 45.1g/100g7
Leaves
Total dietary fibre: 11.0 - 27.5g/100g dw7
Amino acids
Amino acids regulate different processes needed by immune cells for proper functioning. They do this by cell regeneration and supply of energy needed for combating antigens and infections.8
Baobab leaves got a chemical score of 81%, qualifying it as a bearer of significant quantities of all essential amino acids.7
Seed
Crude protein: 14.4g/100g dw - 36.7g/100g dw
Rich in glutamic acid (35.9g/100g protein) and aspartic acid (16.9g/100g protein)
Lowest in methionine (1.9g/100g protein)7
Fruit pulp
Crude Protein: 2.5g/100g dw - 15.3g/100g dw
Rich in tyrosine 8.5g/100g protein and glutamic acid (8.4g/100g protein)
Lowest in cysteine (1.3g/100g protein) and methionine(1.9g/100g protein)7
Leaves
Crude protein: 10g/100g dw - 14.9g/100g dw
Rich in aspartic acid 10.6g/100g protein and glutamic acid 10.5g/100g protein
Lowest in methionine (1.7g/100g protein) and tryptophan (1.9g/100g protein)7
Vitamin C
Vitamin C9 acts by preventing oxidative damage, reducing inflammation and by boosting immunity.
In an experimental study done on 25 Vitamin C deficient monkeys, 5 of them presented pneumonia infection. But out of 21 control monkeys with sufficient Vitamin C, none of them presented any case of pneumonia.9
Another clinical trial involved one group of COVID-19 patients with respiratory symptoms getting standard therapy and Vitamin C administration, and another group getting standard therapy alone. Patients with severe COVID-19 who received Vitamin C showed improvement and early elimination of the symptoms.9
The Recommended Dietary Allowance for Vitamin C is 90 mg/day for adult men and 75 mg/day for adult women.10
Baobab fruit pulp therefore contributes Vitamin C content of between 80% to >100% of the RDA.
Fruit pulp
Vitamin C: 74 - 163 mg/100g11
Zinc
Zinc possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral functions which help boost immunity and as a result, help in the management of respiratory infections. Its supplementation has proven to manage symptoms of infections like COVID-19, provided asthma relief and reduced incidences of respiratory tract infection especially in children, making it one of the key players in the fight towards improved respiratory wellness.12
To ensure safety in terms of daily quantities consumed, the Recommended Dietary Allowance for Zinc is 8 mg/day for women and 11 mg/day for men.13
This means the baobab seed contributes almost half of the RDA per 100g dw, making it a good source of the nutrient.12
Seed
Zinc: 2.6mg/100g dw - 7.3mg/100g dw7
Fruit pulp
Zinc: 0.5 - 3.2mg/100g dw7
Leaves
Zinc: 0.7mg/100g dw - 4.0mg/100g dw7
Benefits of baobab in respiratory health
When we talk about poor respiratory health, what we mean is the presence or susceptibility of contracting respiratory tract infections,25 that could potentially affect the mouth, nose and nasal cavity, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and the lungs as the major respiratory organs. These infections include:
- Common cold
- Sinusitis
- Pharyngitis
- Epiglottitis
- Laryngotracheitis
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia/lung infections
- Bronchiolitis
Since these infections are mostly caused by either a Virus or bacteria, the best preventative and management technique should be that which has antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immunological activity.
So, in light of countering respiratory illnesses, the baobab prides itself in possessing all five properties:
- Antibacterial
A study was done to determine the antimicrobial activity of Adansonia digitata bark extract, against Klebsiella pneumoniae, using ethanol for the extraction.
There was recorded activity against the test organisms, proving antibacterial effectiveness.
Additionally, a phytochemical examination was done and there was a proven presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, reducing sugars, sterols, saponins, glycosides and tannins in the baobab leaf, fruit and bark extracts.15
- Antiviral
In another study to assess for antiviral properties, the leaf extracts were the most effective, with the most antiviral activity on the influenza virus. The fruit pulp also showed similar antiviral activity to the leaves although to a lesser degree.16
- Antioxidant
A comparison of total antioxidant levels in fruits and vegetables showed that dry baobab leaves at 48 mmol/100g, had more antioxidants compared to the baobab fruit at 10.8 mmol/100g. The baobab fruit in turn had more antioxidant content than oranges (0.9 mmol/100g), dried dates (1.7 mmol/100g), strawberries (2.1 mmol/g), and Artichoke (3.5 mmol/100g). The rich antioxidant levels are additionally supported by the high phytochemical levels in the plant.17
- Anti-inflammatory
Some inflammatory-induced conditions include asthma, pneumonia and fevers as a symptom of several respiratory infections. As a potential form of management, the anti-inflammatory effects of different parts of the Baobab plant were investigated using the carrageenan-induced paw oedema test on chicks and Baobab extracts used for treatment. The mean degree of swelling was reduced by about 50% after treatment administration within a 6-hour period, with the stem bark, flowers and leaves being more effective.18
- Immunological
In addition to the role of fibres, zinc and amino acids in boosting the immunological function of baobab, an immune response assessment using methanolic extracts of baobab leaves, fruit pulp and bark produced positive results showing stimulatory effects of T-cells and antibody production binding antigens even after low dosage administration of fruit pulp. This immune-boosting effect is potentially credited to the available Vitamin C and flavonoids.19
Contraindications: anti-nutritional factors
- Dietary fibres, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and pectin, interfere with mineral absorption (mostly zinc and iron).25 However, acids such as citric and malic acids support iron absorption and solubilization. These two were found in A. digitata in quantities >20g/kg and 0.4-2.1g/kg respectively, promising potential to alleviate the possibility of poor iron absorption.20 Additionally, some studies have gone further to explain that this inhibition only happens in the gastrointestinal tract and that the opposite happens in the colon - the bound minerals become available for absorption. Meaning that the inhibitions get compensated and absorption eventually happens25
- Baobab seeds contain trypsin inhibitors, protease inhibitors, amylase inhibitors, tannins, phytic acids, phytates, oxalate and alkaloids which interfere with protein bioavailability
However, processes such as boiling in water, fermentation of the seeds and alkali treatment showed promising results in improving protein digestibility and bioavailability.21
Applications of baobab
- Fruit Pulp
- Dried and ground to baobab powder which is then used in hot or cold drinks (Pulp beverages, smoothies, milkshakes, coffee alternatives, etc) to improve flavour or add nutrients
- Incorporating baobab powder into porridge or other breakfast cereals and even food, as a form of natural supplement11
- Used as a thickening agent in jams
- An alternative to the cream of tartar
- A fermenting agent in brewing
- Making of pulp gruel and sourdough22
- Leaves
- They are cooked and consumed as vegetables in meals, when still premature. They are considered good sources of protein because of their amino acid content23
- Dried and ground to be used in sauces and soups
- Making infusions, especially in combination with baobab flowers. This was customarily used for respiratory and digestive dysfunction24
- Seeds
- Dried and ground to make baobab powder for culinary use and flavours
- Roasted and eaten whole
- Pressed for baobab oil production
- Kernels from dehulling of seeds to make kernel sauce20
Summary
We tend to overlook how critical respiratory infections are until we contract them. This is especially true for acute respiratory infections, whose frequent recurrences could pose a risk for chronic respiratory diseases. It is therefore important to not only treat but also look at all possible preventative measures to curb even the mildest of these illnesses, as it will take us a step forward towards lightening at least one global burden of diseases.
So, while it is assumed that most respiratory conditions are influenced by the environment, some of them could be managed by good nutrition, with Baobab (Adansonia digitata) being the perfect example of a natural remedy. This is largely because all parts of the plant are known to be useful both in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical setting, one way or another, with the most vital to respiratory health being those contributing as an anti-antiviral, anti-bacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory or immunologically.
The good thing is there are several possible ways of preparing baobab, taking away from its consumption ever being monotonous, making it more than just an interesting food for thought.
References
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- Ghalibaf MHE, Kianian F, Beigoli S, Behrouz S, Marefati N, Boskabady M, et al. The effects of vitamin C on respiratory, allergic and immunological diseases: an experimental and clinical-based review. Inflammopharmacology. 2023; 31(2):653–72. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9970132
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