Carob

Carob Carob is perhaps one of the oldest trees grown by man, a source of health, food, and remedies. And yet, it is also one of the most neglected of all trees. Its pods are consumable. They are very similar to chocolate pods in many ways, though with different nutritional values. Seeds from these pods are generally ground to produce flour.¹

The Carob tree is considered to be native to the Mediterranean region from where it was taken to be cultivated in the Americas, parts of Asia, Africa, and even Australia.¹

Carob has been a vital source of nutrition in Mediterranean countries and is appreciated for its sugary pulp. Moreover, the Carob tree is quite resistant to famine and does not require much care. In the past, there has been very little research undertaken into its health benefits. However, this has recently changed as in recent years Carob has received lots of attention as a food and a food additive.¹

Health Benefits of Carob

Below are some of the well-known health benefits of Carob:

Source of Nutrients and Antioxidants

With the rise of various metabolic disorders like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and dementia, people are looking for healthy sources of nutrition and it appears that Carob is one such source. Roasted Carob powder is rich in high-quality carbohydrates and dietary fibre and has few fats and proteins. In addition, it is especially rich in tannins (3.75%) that are known to possess numerous health benefits, including antioxidant activity.²^,³^,⁴
May Help Prevent Colon Cancer

Carob may help to prevent colon cancer in two ways. Firstly, Carob is rich in dietary fibre and therefore may boost intestinal motility and positively influence intestinal flora. Secondly, and more importantly, Carob is rich in carbohydrates or, more precisely, in beneficial polysaccharides that have anti-proliferative properties.⁴
Good for Lowering Blood Sugar and Cholesterol

This effect is primarily due to Carob’s high content of soluble dietary fibre. Therefore, Carob bean gum, which is mainly made up of dietary fibre, may be especially good for lowering blood sugar and cholesterol.⁴
Reflux Disorder in Infants

In infants, managing reflux disorders poses specific challenges since the safety of various over the counter drugs is not proven in this age group. However, some infants may have frequent regurgitation and even episodes of vomiting after feeding. If it happens too frequently, it may be a cause of concern. It seems that Carob bean gum may help in such cases. Researchers reported significant benefits in one of the clinical trials and found Carob effective for preventing recurrent vomiting.⁵

In recent years, Carob has also gained the attention of various industries. Some are using it as a replacement for cocoa. Carob bean gum can also be used as a carrier for medications. Carob bean gum is an excellent natural polysaccharide polymer for thickening beverages and various food products.⁴

Side Effects of Carob

Carob beans have been consumed as a part of the diet in the Mediterranean decades, and it is pretty safe for regular use. There are very few chances of any side effects when used as a food supplement. Nonetheless, individuals need to be aware as there are instances of allergic reactions in infants when used to manage reflux disease.⁶

Properties

Anti-Nausea⁵
Antioxidant²^,³^,⁴
Cholesterol⁴
Diabetes / Blood Sugar⁴
High/Good Levels of Carbohydrates²^,³^,⁴
High/Good Levels of Fibre²
Vomiting Prevention⁵

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