Picture this, a new superfood that contributes to the reforestation of one of Brazil’s most overexploited regions. Born from the fruit of the Baruzeira tree, the Baru nut is stacked with nutrients and tastes like a cross of almonds and peanuts. The tasty nut is sourced from Cerrado, in the savanna of Brazil.
The Cerrado roughly accounts for 20% of Brazil’s land yet the ecology faces an existential threat partly due to unsavory agricultural practices in the name of soy production. The native people have eaten what is they call the “Baru” nut for millennia.
Darren Olien, founder of Barukas and superfood hunter came across the Baru nut while on a trip to South America. He instantly became enamored with its nutritional content as it’s extremely rich in antioxidants, protein, and fiber. It is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and iron.The nut contains a tremendous amount of protein despite being relatively low in caloric content. A gram of Baru nut gives you more than three times more nutrients than the same quantity of what most other nuts can provide. Every 100 grams of Baru nut has about 25 grams of protein, presenting all the benefits of protein as well as six essential amino acids. A hundred grams of Baru further has about:
- 26.3 grams of fiber
- 6.7 mg of Zinc
- 2.6 mg of Iron
- 150 mg of Calcium
- 228 mg of Magnesium
- 1575 mg of Potassium
- 21.4 grams of Vitamin E.
Scientific reports from Nutrition indicate that a Baru nut-based diet increased the rate of metabolism of consumers; burning fat and reducing cholesterol. Its consumption led to significant reductions in waist size, reduction of cholesterol and other unhealthy fats as well as an increase in healthy fat.
Besides being a nutritional powerhouse, their production is helping restore the ecosystem for the Cerrado, as the Baruzeira tree does not require much irrigation, can thrive in a dry climate. The production of Barukas is a far cry from the soy production that is threatening the ecosystem. This perfect storm of nutritional content, being environmentally friendly, and tasty made the Baru nut too good for Olen to pass up.
If you’re looking for a superfood that tastes good and will provide your body with the nutrients it craves, then there is simply no reason for you not to grab some Barukas nuts. Their excellent taste, high nutrients and health benefits should make you place Baru nuts on your dining table and in your kitchen pretty soon.
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