Top 5 Health Benefits of Carob

Top 5 Health Benefits of Carob

1.Cancer preventionThe polyphenolic content of carob makes it an ideal antioxidant, and carob germ flour, another byproduct of this useful plant, has been directly associated with cytotoxic activity in the body.

CarobThis means that it is toxic to some cells, but luckily, carob has shown a penchant for being toxic to cancer cells, particularly those related to cervical cancer. That, combined with the antioxidant activity of polyphenols which scavenge dangerous free radicals from throughout the body and prevent cancer and other disease, makes carob a very beneficial addition to your lines of defense against cancer!

2.Diabetes managementIn comparison to regular chocolate, carob has considerably less sugar, a fraction of the fat content, and only 1/3 of the calories. It can help prevent spikes in blood sugar and be a safe dietary choice for diabetics. This is why it is so often used as a replacement for chocolate in various cultures, because it also provides protein and fiber that chocolate lacks. This makes carob helpful for people trying to lose weight, without depriving their sweet tooth of some chocolate on occasion!

3.DigestionAs a rich source of dietary fiber, carob can help the digestive activities of the body. Fiber bulks up bowel movements and stimulates regularity, as well as the secretion of gastric juices and peristaltic motion. All of this combines into a healthier digestive system, while helping to prevent more serious gastrointestinal conditions. Furthermore, since the type of fiber is insoluble, it can absorb liquids, therefore reducing the amount of loose stool in the body and preventing diarrhea. Carob powder is actually a common prescription as a treatment against acute-onset diarrhea.

4.Weight lossThe fiber found in carob is somewhat special, in that it inhibits the secretion of postprandial ghrelin, a hormone that tells the body that it is hungry, occasionally released after eating. This means that carob can reduce the chances of overeating, and therefore aid in weight loss attempts.

5.carobinfoAs already mentioned, carob fiber is a special thing, and it has been shown to be highly effective against high cholesterol. Studies have shown that people given carob fiber significantly reduce the presence of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) in their system, and it reduced the amount of triglycerides in the body as well. Reducing dangerous forms of cholesterol can reduce the chances of various cardiovascular diseases, including high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes!