Safou
Dacryodes edulis or
safou is a fruit tree native to Africa, sometimes called African or bush pear or plum, Nsafu, bush butter tree, or butterfruit.
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 comes from the Northern areas of Africa including Nigeria, Angola, Zaire, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, and other forested areas.
Health Benefits of Safou
It contains lots of protein, triglycerides, good fatty acids, and lots of powerful vitamins and minerals.Safou has almost 15 grams of protein for
every 100 grams of fruit.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.
Read More at
Wikipedia.
