The New Fruit on the block is Safou from Africa, which has been said to be a way to end world hunger… and it also has many health benefits.
Safou comes from the Northern areas of Africa including Nigeria, Angola, Zaire, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, and other forested areas. It contains lots of protein, triglycerides, good fatty acids, and lots of powerful vitamins and minerals.
The fruit is over shaped and violet in color and comes from a evergreen tree that has large fruits that are buttery and creamy in flavor on the inside, in fact some people call it “Butter Fruit”. It contains lots of amino acids, fiber, and lots of energy.
Safou has almost 15 grams of protein for every 100 grams of fruit, and almost that much in the way of carbohydrates… and it’s packed full of available energy – over 600 Kcal per 100 grams.
It also contains trace minerals such as potassium for cardiovascular health and for water regulation, magnesium for good nerve and brain health, and calcium for strong healthy bones and for acid base regulation.
Packed full of Powerful Antioxidants – Vitamin C more than 25 mgs per 100 grams of fruit. And it has more than 700 mgs per 100 grams of Vitamin A – both of which are important for staving off free radicals and for preventing cancer… and new studies show that Vitamin C can kill antibiotic resistant tuberculosis microbes.
The oils of the Safou Fruit contain linoleic acid, steraic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acids all of which are important for good cardiovascular health. And Safou contains tannins, saponins, flavonoids, and alkaloids that are important for health and vitality. Plus Safou is a good antimicrobial agent helping with bacterial infections (more studies to be done) and it may help with sickle-cell anemia too. And the leaves and the roots of the tree have been used in the treatment of dysentery and tonsillitis.
Safou also contains over 45% edible oils and lots of proteins similar to avocados. Some estimate that 1/2 a hectare of Safou Trees could yield more than 8 tons of oil… that is full of usable energy and protein… and thus end starvation in many countries.
Safou can be eaten raw, cooked and eaten, and also used as animal feed… and there is some interest by the cosmetic industry in using Safou oil which is full of antioxidants. Some call Safou a gold mine of nutrition and health that’s yet undiscovered.
Many times Safou is baked for 30 minutes, then cooked with rice and tomatoes and then the pulp is scooped out and eaten with salt. – Great Buttery Flavor.
Even though Safou is good for you and has lots of nutrition, there has been little interest in the US in Safou… perhaps that needs to change… because Safou could end world hunger.
Dr. Paul Haider – Master Herbalist and Spiritual Teacher for over 20 years, helping people to recover and feel healthy. You can also find Dr. Haider on FB under Dr. Paul Haider, Healing Herbs, Shambala Spiritual Transformation Institute, Meditation for the Soul, and Relax Into Success, Punjab teas, and at www.paulhaider.com – feel free to contact him any time. Also check out Dr. Haider’s radio show at http://www.thesourcecenterradio.com/The-Relaxed-Soul.html June show to be about “Divine Particles”