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Limited evidenceGeneral health

Baobab Fruit Powder

The dried pulp of the African baobab, high in fibre, vitamin C and polyphenols. It is a reasonable whole food, but the human research amounts to a couple of small acute meal studies with conflicting results.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

  • Blunting the glycaemic response to starch Limited evidence

    A small crossover trial found that polyphenol-rich baobab extract baked into white bread reduced starch digestion and lowered the post-meal glucose response. A follow-up study by the same group using polyphenol-enriched bread found no effect on glycaemic response or satiety, though it suggested slightly lower insulin for the same glucose. Two small acute studies with mixed results are not a basis for a metabolic claim.

  • Fibre and vitamin C content Limited evidence

    Compositional analyses confirm baobab pulp is genuinely high in soluble and insoluble fibre and in vitamin C, with the exact amounts varying substantially by origin and processing. This is a nutritional fact about the food; no trial has tested whether supplementing baobab powder produces a health outcome beyond what any fibre or vitamin C source would.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseThe glycaemic studies used roughly 15 g of baobab extract incorporated into a meal. Commercial powders are typically taken at 10–20 g per day, which is a food-level serving rather than a tested therapeutic dose.
SafetyEaten as a staple food in much of Africa and considered safe. The main issue is the fibre load: larger servings can cause bloating, gas or loose stools. It is acidic, which some people find hard on the stomach. As with other fibre-rich powders, take it apart from medications that bind to fibre.

Scientific references

Where to buy

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