Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) Fruit Pulp in Nutritional Therapeutics: Mechanistic Insights, Clinical Evidence, and Future Research Priorities

The renewed interest in indigenous African foods reflects a shift towards traditional, nutrient-dense alternatives to address the burden of non-communicable diseases and micronutrient deficiencies. This review evaluates the evidence for proposed health benefits of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) fruit pulp (BFP) across four domains: gut homeostasis, immune modulation, glycemic control, and iron bioavailability. The evidence base is predominantly preclinical. Tier 3 (in vitro) and Tier 2 (animal) studies suggest that BFP fibers (low-methoxylated homogalacturonan, xylogalacturonan, and possibly inulin and fructooligosaccharides) may exert prebiotic-like effects by selectively stimulating Bifidobacteriaceae and Lactobacilli, while BFP polyphenols and organic acids have been associated with enzyme inhibition and enhanced iron bioaccessibility, respectively. The methodological quality of these studies was not assessed. However, human evidence is scarce. Only six human intervention studies were identified, limited to glycemic response in healthy normoglycemic adults and one iron status trial in schoolchildren, which showed increased hemoglobin but no significant improvement in ferritin or soluble transferrin receptor. No human studies have examined gut microbiota modulation, immune outcomes, or effects in diabetic or pre-diabetic populations. Consequently, clinical efficacy has not been established, and BFP cannot currently be characterized as having confirmed prebiotic or therapeutic properties. The current evidence supports potential prebiotic and enzyme-inhibitory activity in preclinical models only. Evidence-based dietary recommendations require high-quality human intervention trials with clinically meaningful endpoints, standardization of BFP preparations, and systematic investigation of real-world dietary contexts. Future research should address these gaps to advance the evidence base for BFP. Practical barriers to translation, including sensory acceptance, product adulteration, and sustainable sourcing, are briefly considered.