Carobs Can Add More Health Benefits To Your Personal Diet

Aly writes: “I recently bought some carob at my local organic food store on a whim and now I’m wondering about its nutritional profile. Is it a healthy alternative to chocolate? What are the pros and cons?”

What is Carob?

Carob is an ingredient that you only seem to run into in health food stores—or in the “healthy foods” aisle of the regular grocery store.  It’s usually used as an alternative to chocolate and you’ll find it in a number of chocolate-like formats: as a powder for baking, chips that you can add to cookies, or as a flavoring in candy, baked goods, and hot beverage mixes. So, what are the advantages of substituting carob for chocolate?

What are the Health Benefits of Carob?

Perhaps the primary benefit of carob as a chocolate substitute is that, unlike cocoa, carob contains no caffeine or theobromine. Both of these chemicals (which belong to a family of substances called methylxanthines) are stimulants; while caffeine works primarily on the central nervous system, theobromine stimulates the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems.

These stimulating effects are sometimes beneficial. As I talked about in my article on Benefits of Caffeine, caffeine has neuroprotective effects, reducing your risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Theobromine, on the other hand, dilates (or widens) blood vessels and increases urine output, which can help lower blood pressure. It’s also been found to act as a cough suppressant and dilate the bronchial tubes, making breathing easier. Both caffeine and theobromine affect the production and uptake of neurotransmitters in ways that can lift your mood. 

However, it’s also possible to be over-stimulated. Both caffeine and theobromine can cause adverse effects such as sleeplessness, jitters, or anxiety if consumed in excessive quantities. The amount of caffeine and theobromine in chocolate won’t bother most people but for those who are very sensitive to stimulants, even small amounts can create problems.

Theobromine is what makes chocolate toxic to dogs, by the way—which is why “chocolate”-flavored dog treats are actually made with carob. To my knowledge, dogs don’t really crave chocolate (or carob), so I’ve never really understood why people make fake-chocolate dog treats. But there’s a lot about dog- culture I don’t get. That’s why I listen to The Dog Trainer’s podcast.  

Health Benefits of Chocolate

Carob doesn’t contain stimulants. However, it also doesn’t contain those flavanols that we hear so much about. I know a lot of people who justify their daily dose of dark chocolate on the strength of the Health Benefits of Chocolate—and carob would not offer the same advantages.

But, in my mind, the biggest disadvantage of carob as a chocolate substitute is that it doesn’t really taste like chocolate at all. About all it has in common with chocolate is the color. Then again, it’s amazing how much of our sense of taste has to do with color. Researchers have found, for example, that if you add yellow food coloring to vanilla pudding, people will say it tastes like lemon. And Cheetos without the florescent orange powder don’t taste as cheesy. Nonetheless, if you’re a real chocolate lover, I don’t think that carob-flavored alternatives are going to fool you.

Does Chocolate Cause Headaches?

Chocolate is often said to be a trigger for migraine headaches but several studies have failed to find a consistent link. If you find that avoiding chocolate helps you reduce or avoid headaches, that’s probably all the evidence you need. But if you get headaches whether or not you eat chocolate, there may be no reason to deprive yourself.

Allergies to chocolate are extremely rare. Often, what people perceive as a chocolate allergy is actually an allergy to milk or nuts that are also present. Your chances of being allergic to chocolate are about the same as being allergic to carob. Either way, the two plants are completely unrelated, so if you are allergic to one, you can probably safely eat the other.

Nutritional Comparison of Chocolate and Carob

How do chocolate and carob compare nutritionally? Compared with plain cocoa powder, plain carob powder is lower in fat but significantly higher in carbohydrates and sugar. However, nobody eats plain cocoa or carob powder. Products made with either one will have varying amounts of fat and sugar added to them and you need to compare the nutrition facts labels to see how they stack up.

In terms of other nutrients, carob boasts a significant amount of calcium—about three times as much as you’d get from cocoa. But cocoa has the advantage in terms of iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese.—and of course, those flavanols I mentioned earlier. But let’s be frank: most of us aren’t eating chocolate for the nutrition.

The Bottom Line:

Here’s the bottom line on chocolate vs. carob: For anyone with a sensitivity to chocolate or any of its active ingredients, such as caffeine or theobromine, carob offers a chocolate-like (or at least brown-colored) alternative. Otherwise, chocolate appears to offer a few extra health benefits. But either way, be sure to keep an eye on how much sugar, fat, and calories are riding along.

10 Amazing health benefits of carob powder

Carob powder is made from the bean shaped pods that grow on the carob tree which originates in the Eastern Mediterranean. The pods are sometimes used to make syrup that is used in foods, but more commonly, they are used to make carob powder, which is often utilized as a chocolate substitute in baking and making candy. Carob is high in nutrients and antioxidants and here are ten of the health benefits of carob powder:

1. It is a good source of selenium

We need selenium to maintain a healthy thyroid function and to help in the building of DNA. A single cup of carob powder contains approximately 10% of the recommended daily amount of selenium that we need.

2. It reduces cholesterol

Eating carob powder can help to reduce the levels of bad cholesterol in your body. The powder contains polyphenols, which bind to cholesterol in the stomach and help it pass through your system.

3. It makes a very healthy alternative to chocolate

As a substitute for chocolate, carob makes a much healthier alternative. It’s dairy free, low in calories and contains no caffeine. This makes it perfect for people who have lactose intolerance and for people who love their chocolate, but are trying to lose weight.

4. It helps ward off cancer

Carob powder contains a whopping over 20 different polyphenol compounds. These consist of antioxidants and flavonoids, all of which have cancer fighting properties. Of particular benefit are the antioxidants, quercetin and myricetin, which are especially good at fighting cancer.

5. It is great for digestive health

Health benefits of carob powder also include better digestion. Carob powder contains high levels of tannins, which are great for keeping your digestive system in good working order. Tannins help to make you regular, and in tests, it was found to be very effective at curing diarrhoea in young children.

6. It builds strong bones

Stronger bones is another one of wonderful health benefits of carob powder. One cup of carob powder contains around 35% of your daily requirement for calcium. As well as being and essential mineral for the development of healthy bones, calcium also helps maintain a healthy nervous system.

7. It doesn’t contain any stimulants

Unlike chocolate, which contains theobromine and caffeine, carob powder contains no stimulants at all. This means that carob powder won’t cause the jittery feeling and the sleepless nights that eating too much chocolate can cause.

8. It stabilises blood sugar levels

And here is another one of important health benefits of carob powder: eating carob powder helps to stabilise blood sugar levels. It contains a substance called pinitol, which regulates glucose levels as well as promotes a healthy digestive system.

9. It is good for your skin and hair

The Vitamin E that is found in carob powder is good for both your skin and your hair. Vitamin E helps to keep skin healthy and it fights wrinkles. It is also an essential ingredient for strong and healthy hair.

10. It helps fight infection cancer cells.

5. It is great for digestive health

Health benefits of carob powder also include better digestion. Carob powder contains high levels of tannins, which are great for keeping your digestive system in good working order. Tannins help to make you regular, and in tests, it was found to be very effective at curing diarrhoea in young children.

6. It builds strong bones

Stronger bones is another one of wonderful health benefits of carob powder. One cup of carob powder contains around 35% of your daily requirement for calcium. As well as being and essential mineral for the development of healthy bones, calcium also helps maintain a healthy nervous system.

7. It doesn’t contain any stimulants

Unlike chocolate, which contains theobromine and caffeine, carob powder contains no stimulants at all. This means that carob powder won’t cause the jittery feeling and the sleepless nights that eating too much chocolate can cause.

8. It stabilises blood sugar levels

And here is another one of important health benefits of carob powder: eating carob powder helps to stabilise blood sugar levels. It contains a substance called pinitol, which regulates glucose levels as well as promotes a healthy digestive system.

9. It is good for your skin and hair

The Vitamin E that is found in carob powder is good for both your skin and your hair. Vitamin E helps to keep skin healthy and it fights wrinkles. It is also an essential ingredient for strong and healthy hair.

10. It helps fight infection

Another one of great health benefits of carob powder is that this powder is also a tasty way of fighting disease and infection. The powder has both antiviral and antibacterial properties, because it contains gallic acid and tannins. It is especially useful in fighting stomach complaints.

Do you know some other health benefits of carob powder?

Stay happy and healthy!


Health Informationcarob pod
Health Benefits:
Carob contains many health benefits, which depending on how the plant is prepared, can be used as a natural remedy for human health issues. The pod consists of three different parts; the outer husk, the nutritive endosperm and the inner seed.

Carobs are high in protein, contain essential vitamins and are a healthy alternative to most snack foods. Carobs are beneficial as they:
Contain tannins that are rich in gallic acid.
Gallic acid provides anti-allergic, antiseptic and anti-bacterial benefits.
Rich in insoluble fibre.
Good source of vitamin E.
Contain Thiamin (vitamin B), Riboflavin (vitamin B2), Niacin (vitamin A), alpha-tocopherol, and ergocalciferol (vitamin D2).
Full of antioxidants and phytonutrients.
High in potassium and magnesium.
Gluten free.
Caffeine free.
100% natural with no chemicals or preservatives.
According to investigated research, Carob can aid in the treatment of many health issues, such as:

Digestive health:
According to livingstrong.com, eating carobs regularly can aid in the management of digestive health. The tannins found in carobs can increase the effectiveness of certain substances (enzymes) that help to regulate the digestion process.  Additionally, carob provides powerful anti-viral benefits that supply the body with essential antioxidants. Foods rich in tannins are often recommended for treatment of diarrhea as it reduces acid production and combats related ailments.

Lowering cholesterol levels:
Due to the high percentage of insoluble fibre contained in carobs, research shows carobs have the potential to lower cholesterol levels. Carobs have naturally high levels of lignin and polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants. According to the Prepared Foods Network, these antioxidants work by binding to stomach acids and cholesterol in order to help them pass through the body and be excreted.
Regulates blood sugar levels:
Experts say carobs contain fibre that naturally helps to regulate blood sugar levels (useful for people who suffer from diabetes). As an insoluble fibre product (which contains pinitol, a type of inositol), carob helps water bind in the digestive tract, which enhances the health of the intestinal tract and regulates blood glucose.

Weight control issues:
In a clinical trial conducted in the US, consumption of a carob pulp preparation decreased postprandial responses of acylated ghrelin, triglycerides, suggesting a change toward increased fatty acid oxidation. In other words, carob fibre might exert beneficial effects in energy intake, and thus, reduce body weight.

Osteoporosis and polio:
Carob is high in phosphorus and calcium, which means it may help in the fight against osteoporosis ailment. It has also been recommended for children who have had polio ailment, due to the high levels of calcium and gallic acid.

Common colds or influenza:
As carobs are rich in vitamin E, and full of antioxidants and phytonutrients, they have, on occasion, been suggested in aid of the treatment of anemia, coughs, osteoclasis, colds and influenza. Carobs also contain Gallic acid that provides anti-allergic, antiseptic, and anti-bacterial benefits. In some rare cases, experts have suggested carobs be used to help reduce the changes of patients with lung cancer. 
Gluten free
Improves digestion (may help obesity).
Lowers cholesterol level in the blood.
 Acts as an antioxidant.
Can be used to treat diarrhoea in children and adults.
Contains an active substance that is effective against asthma. Carob is also used for asthma problems caused by allergies.
It is a good expectorant.
Does not contain caffeine.
May help to prevent lung cancer, if used regularly.
Contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, D and E and is used for the treatment of cough, flu, amemia and osteoclasis.
Carob tannins contain gallic acid. Gallic acid is an analgesic, can be used as an anti allergic and is antibacterial. It is also an antioxidant, antiviral and antiseptic.
It is also high in potassium and magnesium and contains iron, manganese, barium, copper and nickel.
It is used for the treatment of polio in children, as the gallic acid in carob tannins helps to prevent polio.
 It is rich in phosphorus and calcium. For this reason, it is used in the fight against osteoporosis.
Helps with IBS.
Helps soothe a sore throat and coughs.
Links
Carob Fibre lowers Cholesterol
Cambridge Journals Online - Abstract
CAROB: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings - WebMD
Diarrhoeal Diseases Research - Sep 1995 - Page 155