:Benefits of Carob
Chocolate Alternative
Carob is a nondairy alternative to chocolate, offering an option to those with lactose intolerance or milk allergies. It is lower in fat, calories and caffeine than chocolate, so it can be a beneficial substitute if you are trying to lose weight.
Fiber and Cholesterol
Eating foods with carob fiber may help lower your cholesterol. In a 2010 "Plant Foods for Human Nutrition" journal article, researchers gave either a placebo or a compound with insoluble carob fiber to 88 people with high cholesterol levels.
Those who took the carob fiber lowered their total cholesterol levels by about 18 percent and their LDL levels by approximately 23 percent. They also had lower triglycerides than the placebo group, whose members did not experience any significant changes to their cholesterol levels.
Protection Against Diabetes
Protection Against Cancer
Carob may help prevent some types of cancer, according to German researchers who published a study in the journal "Food and Chemical Toxicology" in 2003. After examining carob fiber, they found 24 polyphenol compounds, 26 percent of which were flavonoids, plant-based compounds with powerful antioxidant properties.
It also contained a significant amount of the antioxidant compounds myricetin and quercetin.
The researchers believe that carob fiber's high content of these phenolic antioxidant substances may give it cancer-preventing properties.
FAQs:
S1: What are the benefits of carob as a chocolate alternative?
A1: Carob is a non-dairy alternative to chocolate, making it suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance or milk allergies. It is lower in fat, calories, and caffeine compared to chocolate, making it beneficial for those aiming to lose weight.
S2: Can carob help lower cholesterol?
A2: Yes, carob fiber has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels. Research studies have demonstrated that consuming foods with carob fiber can lead to a reduction in total cholesterol levels and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
S3: Does carob provide protection against diabetes?
A3: The information provided does not mention the specific benefits of carob in relation to diabetes prevention.
S4: Does carob have cancer-preventing properties?
A4: Carob contains polyphenol compounds, including flavonoids, which have powerful antioxidant properties. These compounds, along with the presence of myricetin and quercetin, contribute to the potential cancer-preventing properties of carob.
