What are the real benefits of Carob powder?

Carob powder is a source of bioactive compounds, mainly represented by polyphenols and d-pinitol. These give Carob powder a very high antioxidant potential. As a result, Carob powder would inhibit the production of reactive oxygen species.

Carob powder would prevent oxidative stress. Oxidative stress corresponds to an imbalance between pro-oxidant compounds and antioxidant defenses, in favor of pro-oxidants. This disorder is a risk factor for many pathologies, such as diabetes, eye pathologies, neurodegenerative diseases, etc.

Advice from the dietician-nutritionist: 

• Start at 1g per day then gradually increase over a week to 20g per day.

• Prefer uncooked carob powder, to preserve heat-sensitive nutrients.

On average, 100 grams of Carob powder contains nearly 40 g of fiber. Carob powder is said to be rich in fiber, more precisely in insoluble fiber. Indeed, Carob powder is extracted from the pod, which is composed mainly of insoluble fibers, to the detriment of soluble fibers.

Fibers are special carbohydrates because they cannot be digested and absorbed by the body: they pass through the digestive tract. Despite this, they have several health benefits, such as regulating digestive transit. Insoluble fiber is preferable in cases of constipation because it does not dissolve in water. On the other hand, they have the capacity to absorb a large quantity of water, which causes them to swell. By their sizes, their indigestible and insoluble characteristics, insoluble fibers join directly the fecal mass, which increases the volume of the stools and rehydrates them. The whole thing promotes intestinal motility.

Due to its richness in insoluble fiber, carob powder is laxative.

Advice from the dietician-nutritionist: 

• Consume 1 g per day then gradually increase over a week up to 20 g per day of Carob powder.

• Favor the treatment on an empty stomach, in cold water to amplify the laxative effect of the Carob powder.

Carob powder is an ideal ally in cases of diabetes. Indeed, the composition of Carob powder gives it a low glycemic index, estimated at 15. The glycemic index represents the ability of a food to increase blood sugar levels. Thus, the lower the glycemic index, the more balanced the blood sugar level, which is desirable in cases of diabetes. In addition, the glycemic load of carob powder is less than 2 per 20 g consumed (recommended amount), which means that for 100g of carob powder consumed, the glycemic load is only 7.3. This still represents a low score. The glycemic load is data derived from the glycemic index which varies depending on the quantity consumed. In summary, Carob powder helps maintain balanced blood sugar levels after a meal.

In addition, the antioxidant power (provided by polyphenolic compounds and d-pinitol) and its anti-inflammatory potential (effect noted via a scientific study) contribute to preventing cardiovascular pathologies linked to diabetes.

Carob powder is interesting for diabetics, because she does not cause hyperglycemia and allows you to rebalance the glycemic load of a meal. Also, she participates in the prevention of cardiovascular pathologies. It turns out to be an excellent substitute for chocolate and cocoa powder (sweetened) in culinary preparations, since they have higher glycemic indices.

Advice from the dietician-nutritionist: 

• Add 20 g of Carob powder to your sweet preparations to reduce their glycemic load.

• Replace or combine cocoa or chocolate powder with/with Carob powder.

A study studied the influence of Carob powder in 47 volunteers with cholesterol disorders. After the experiment, the Carob powder made it possible to significantly reduce total cholesterol levels in the blood, including LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol). This power potentially comes from the fibers that abound in Carob powder. Fiber does have an effect on reducing the absorption of dietary cholesterol. Especially since Carob is low in saturated fatty acids. Reducing the consumption of saturated fats contributes to maintaining normal cholesterol levels.

Advice from the dietician-nutritionist: 

• In cholesterol-lowering treatment: 5 g of Carob powder, for 6 weeks before meals.
• Start with 1g, then gradually increase to 5g.

Carob powder is not the most interesting food to reduce your appetite with the aim of losing weight. In reality, no food can miraculously cause weight loss or curb hunger, they can only help, and only if they accompany a total lifestyle change.

However, Carob powder does not have the effect of encouraging weight gain: it has a low glycemic index, which limits snacking and the storage of sugars and fats. Its unique, chocolate-like flavor can also help reduce the amount of sugar needed in some recipes.

Nevertheless, carob powder is not filling, its action on weight is rather secondary.

It is difficult to find foods that promote sleep. However, Carob powder is not included in the list.

The action of the carob powder on sleep would be rather neutral : it does not induce sleep, but does not damage it. Indeed, it does not contain exciting substances, it is low in lipids (which can harm the quality of sleep) and its glycemic index is low. A low glycemic index suggests that it provides “slow carbohydrates” throughout the night, which prevents the urge to snack at night caused by reactive hypoglycemia.

However, no micronutritional study of Carob powder is available. As a result, many compounds are not measured, reducing the chances of Carob powder being used in this case. Furthermore, no scientific studies have been carried out on this subject.