The top health benefits of Carob

The top health benefits of Carob 

Carob pods are a delicious edible fruit which comes from a flowering tree native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. These can be purchased dried, as a powder or fresh and were used in Ancient Greece as a food source. 

In late Roman times, the pure gold coin weighed 24 carob seeds, which is the origin of the *24 carat" as a measurement for the purity of gold. 

In today's article we will explore 15 facts and benefits of Carob pods and powder. 

1. Cocoa Replacement Dried and ground carob pods make a fine powder which is sometimes used to replace cocoa in healthy recipes. You can purchase unsweetened carob bars in health food stores. 

2. Alternative Sweetener Carob syrup is used in Crete as a natural sweetener which is far healthier than table sugar. It contains three times more calcium than milk, and contains iron, phosphorus and natural fibres. However this still contains natural sugars and is not suitable for a low carb diet such as keto. 

3. Diarrhea Relief If you are suffering with diarrhea, consuming carob in any form can help. Carob is a natural source of healthy tannins which help to dry out the intestinal tract. This is a great natural remedy for diarrhea and preventing loose stools. 

4. Cholesterol Control The high amount of fibre and polyphenols in carob also helps to balance cholesterol levels and protect the arterial walls. You can use  carob powder as a natural sweetener to replace sugar in your daily diet. 

5. Blood Sugars Carobs fibre is also helpful in stabilizing blood sugar levels, when used as a replacement because it contains more fibre. However it is still important to measure your daily carbohydrates and keep them low to ward off against diabetes. 

6. Minerals These delicious fruits are also a better source of calcium than milk and also contain potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, copper, zinc and manganese. 

7. Dog Treats Unlike regular chocolate, carob pods do not contain theobromine which is toxic to some animals. Therefore carob is often used to make safe pet treats, and can be purchased in pet stores. 

8. Carob Seeds The seeds of the carob are not edible in their raw state, and are extremely tough. Trying to chew these would damage the teeth. These have to be processed before they are able to be consumed. 

9. Locust Bean Gum Many cosmetic companies make locust bean gum from the seeds within the carob pod. This is used as a stabilizer, binder or texture enhancer. It is also used in many baking recipes to enhance the texture of delicious bakes. 

10. Ancient Egypt The image of the carob pod was used as an hieroglyph in Ancient Egypt to symbolise the word "sweet". The gum like quality of the seeds were used as a binding adhesive for mummies buried in tombs. 

11. Anti-Cancer Studies show that carob fiber is a rich source of polyphenol antioxidants such as gallic acid and flavonoids. These natural chemicals have been shown to help scavenge free radicals in the body and kill off cancerous cells. 

12. Anti-Inflammatory The polyphenols mentioned above are also helpful at reducing aches and pains in the body, such as swelling and headaches. They help to reduce inflammation and fight against damage caused by sugar and junk foods. 

13. Carob Powder Carob powder is made from roasted, dried and ground carob pods. This can be used in smoothies or over yoghurt. We recommend making a hot carob drink, instead of hot chocolate. Alternatively this powder is sometimes used as a sweetener or to make carob brownies. 

14. Carob Wood The wood from the Carob tree is used as a fuel in some areas of Greece. It is an effective fuel for burning and is considered better than oak or olive wood. 

15. Carob Juice  It isAlso known as Kharoub, the carob pods are also used to make a tradition Egyptian drink which is drank during the holy month of Ramadan. It is said to help treat stomach ulcers and boost the immune system. 

As you can see carob is a fantastic food that you may want to consider adding into your diet as a stepping stone for replacing chocolate. Since carob is naturally sweet It does not require additional sugar to be added when  making carob chocolate, making it a great alternative. To learn more about nutrition and healthy foods, please see our other articles. 

To get knowledge more about nutrition and healthy releated foods, please see our other articles. Thank you very much for reading, a like is always appreciated and for more healthy articles follow us. 

I wish you a life wealth, health and full of happiness.