Carob

Carobs grow on a carob tree and hang from the branches of the tree in bunches. From the point of flowering, it takes 11 months for the carobs pods to mature on the tree ready for harvesting.

There are male carob trees, female carob trees and hermaphrodite carob trees. Male trees only produce flower for pollination of the female trees and the male trees will never produce any carob pods. Female trees produce carob pods and need the pollination from either a male flowering tree or a hermaphrodite flowering tree. Hermaphrodite trees produce both male and female flowers, so it can pollinate itself to produce carob pods and also pollinate other female trees close by. 

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 (1). 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. (1) 

Regulates Blood Sugar Level

Experts say carobs contain fibre that naturally helps to regulate blood sugar levels (useful for people who suffer from diabetes). (2) 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.

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.

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. (3)

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.

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. (3)
• Acts as an antioxidant.
• Can be used to treat diarrhea in children and adults. (1)
• 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.
• Contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, D and E and is used for the treatment of cough, flu, amimia and osteoclasis.
• May help to prevent lung cancer, if used regularly.
• 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.