Carob, Ceratonia siliqua and also known as the carob tree, St John’s-bread, or locust bean is an evergreen flowering shrub. It belongs to the pea family fabaceae and is originally from Eastern Mediterranean. What are the health benefits of carob?
Health Benefit 1: Stabilizes Blood Glucose
Carob assists to keep blood sugar at normal levels due to its naturally occurring fiber. The insoluble fiber aids water to bind the digestive system hence promoting functions of the intestinal tract. The insoluble fibre has a type of inotisol called pinitol which not only maintains proper glucose levels but also promotes a healthy intestinal tract.
Health Benefit 2: Reduces Cholesterol
Thanks to its high levels of anti-oxidants lignin and polyphrnols, carob assist in reducing the levels of cholesterol in the body. These two powerful antioxidants bind to acids in the stomach as well as cholesterol, easing them out of the body through excretion.
Health Benefit 3; Fights Diabetes
The carob pods contain seeds which produce a sticky substance known as tragasol.Tragasol stabilizes and thickens foods such as cream, salad dressings which is often used as a stabilizer and thickener in foods such as salad dressings, cheese and so on. Carob flour made from the seed residue is helpful to diabetics.
Health benefit 4: Anti-cancer Properties
Research has since found 24 polyphenol compounds, comprising of flavonoids and anti-oxidants .In particular are the anti-oxidants myricetin and quercetin which are believed to play a big role in fighting cancers.
Health benefit 5: Nutrient Rich
Carob is endowed with various nutrients such as vitamin E, B, B1, vitamin A and D2.It is also rich in potassium and magnesium, not to mention that it is safe to use by people with gluten intolerance as it is gluten free.
Health benefit 6: Promotes Digestive health:
Given the amount of tannin in carob, it enhances the functions of certain enzymes in the digestive system.
Health Benefit 7: Weight Management
Carob pulp has been observed to lower postprandial responses of acylated ghrelin, triglycerides, and a pointer to raised fatty acid oxidation. This is beneficial in increased energy re-upake, leading to loss of body weight.
Health benefit 8: Fights Osteoporosis and polio
The high amounts of phosphorus, calcium and gallic acid in carob are helpful in fighting osteoporosis and polio. It is therefore highly recommended to children susceptible to, or is suffering from polio.
Health Benefit 9: Combats Common colds or Flu
Carobs are endowed with vitamin E, antioxidants and phytonutrients, all of which beneficial in the treatment of various maladie, notably colds and flu. The gallic acid in carob offers antiseptic, anti-allerfic as well as anti-bacterial properties. The other diseases it treats are anemia and coughs. In exceptional cases, it helps combat lung cancer.
Health Benefit 10: Caffeine free
Carob is a useful to combat high blood pressure as it is caffeine free. Caffeine causes blood pressure to rise.
Health Benefit 11: Perfect Substitute for Chocolate
Unlike chocolate, Carob has neither caffeine nor theobromine. Theobromine is a neurotoxin while caffeine causes high blood pressure. Caffeine impacts negatively on adrenal glands hence making it unsuitable for people prone to blood pressure. Carob contains half as much calories and an equivalent of the same amount of fat as chocolate.
