CAROB: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) is a tree native to Mediterranean regions. Its fruit are broad pods that are eaten as food and also used in medicine.

The carob fruit contains dietary fiber and antioxidants. Chemicals in carob might have weight loss effects, reduce blood sugar and insulin levels, and lower cholesterol levels.

People use carob for diarrhea and high cholesterol. It is also used for athletic performance, diabetes, prediabetes, nausea and vomiting, obesity, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

Diarrhea. Drinking juice from raw carob bean or taking carob pod powder by mouth before taking standard oral rehydration solution (ORS) seems to reduce how long diarrhea lasts in children and infants.
High cholesterol. Taking carob by mouth seems to reduces total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol in people with moderately high cholesterol.

There is interest in using carob for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Carob is commonly consumed in foods. It is possibly safe when used in larger amounts as medicine, short-term. It's generally well-tolerated, but some people might be allergic to carob.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if carob is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.

Children: Carob is possibly safe when used as a thickener in formula for full-term, healthy infants. But it is possibly unsafe to use carob-based milk thickener in preterm infants. There have been two deaths thought to be related to the use of this thickener in preterm infants.

Interactions ?

Minor Interaction

Be watchful with this combination

Medications taken by mouth (Oral drugs) interacts with CAROB
Carob is a type of fiber. Fiber can change how much medicine the body absorbs. Taking carob along with medicine you take by mouth can change the effectiveness of the medicine. To prevent this interaction, take carob 30-60 minutes after medications you take by mouth.

Dosing

Carob is commonly consumed in foods. Carob fiber, flour, gum, pod extract, pod powder, and pulp have all be used as medicine in varying doses. Speak with a healthcare provider to find out what type of product and dose might be best for a specific condition.

View References

REFERENCES:

Gruendel, S., Garcia, A. L., Otto, B., Mueller, C., Steiniger, J., Weickert, M. O., Speth, M., Katz, N., and Koebnick, C. Carob pulp preparation rich in insoluble dietary fiber and polyphenols enhances lipid oxidation and lowers postprandial acylated ghrelin in humans. J Nutr 2006;136(6):1533-1538. View abstract.

Harmuth-Hoene, A. E. and Schelenz, R. Effect of dietary fiber on mineral absorption in growing rats. J Nutr 1980;110(9):1774-1784. View abstract.

Klenow, S., Glei, M., Beyer-Sehlmeyer, G., Haber, B., and Pool-Zobel, B. L. Carob Fiber - Functional effects on human colon cell line HT29. Poster, Functional Food: Safety Aspects. 2004;

Loeb, H., Vandenplas, Y., Wursch, P., and Guesry, P. Tannin-rich carob pod for the treatment of acute-onset diarrhea. J.Pediatr.Gastroenterol.Nutr. 1989;8(4):480-485. View abstract.

Miyazawa, R., Tomomasa, T., Kaneko, H., and Morikawa, A. Effect of locust bean gum in anti-regurgitant milk on the regurgitation in uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux. J.Pediatr.Gastroenterol.Nutr. 2004;38(5):479-483. View abstract.

Owen, R. W., Haubner, R., Hull, W. E., Erben, G., Spiegelhalder, B., Bartsch, H., and Haber, B. Isolation and structure elucidation of the major individual polyphenols in carob fibre. Food Chem Toxicol 2003;41(12):1727-1738. View abstract.

Papagiannopoulos, M., Wollseifen, H. R., Mellenthin, A., Haber, B., and Galensa, R. Identification and quantification of polyphenols in carob fruits (Ceratonia siliqua L.) and derived products by HPLC-UV-ESI/MSn. J Agric.Food Chem 6-16-2004;52(12):3784-3791. View abstract.

Savino, F., Muratore, M. C., Silvestro, L., Oggero, R., and Mostert, M. Allergy to carob gum in an infant. J.Pediatr.Gastroenterol.Nutr. 1999;29(4):475-476. View abstract.

Scoditti, A., Peluso, P., Pezzuto, R., Giordano, T., and Melica, A. Asthma to carob bean flour. Ann.Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1996;77(1):81. View abstract.

Tsai, L. B. and Whistler, R. L. Digestibility of galactomannans. Unpublished report to the World Health Organization 1975;

van, der Brempt, X, Ledent, C., and Mairesse, M. Rhinitis and asthma caused by occupational exposure to carob bean flour. J.Allergy Clin.Immunol. 1992;90(6 Pt 1):1008-1010. View abstract.

Vivatvakin, B. and Buachum, V. Effect of carob bean on gastric emptying time in Thai infants. Asia Pac.J.Clin.Nutr. 2003;12(2):193-197. View abstract.

Wenzl, T. G., Schneider, S., Scheele, F., Silny, J., Heimann, G., and Skopnik, H. Effects of thickened feeding on gastroesophageal reflux in infants: a placebo-controlled crossover study using intraluminal impedance. Pediatrics 2003;111(4 Pt 1):e355-e359. View abstract.

Zavoral, J. H., Hannan, P., Fields, D. J., Hanson, M. N., Frantz, I. D., Kuba, K., Elmer, P., and Jacobs, D. R., Jr. The hypolipidemic effect of locust bean gum food products in familial hypercholesterolemic adults and children. Am.J.Clin.Nutr. 1983;38(2):285-294. View abstract.

Zunft, H. J., Luder, W., Harde, A., Haber, B., Graubaum, H. J., and Gruenwald, J. Carob pulp preparation for treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Adv.Ther. 2001;18(5):230-236. View abstract.

Zunft, H. J., Luder, W., Harde, A., Haber, B., Graubaum, H. J., Koebnick, C., and Grunwald, J. Carob pulp preparation rich in insoluble fibre lowers total and LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients. Eur.J.Nutr. 2003;42(5):235-242. View abstract.

Aceti A, Corvaglia L, Faldella G. Infant formulas thickened with carob bean gum causing false-positive galactomannan test reactivity. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2008;27(8):769. View abstract.

Aghajani MMR, Mahjoub S, Mojab F, et al. Comparison of the Effect of Ceratonia siliqua L. (Carob) Syrup and Vitamin E on Sperm Parameters, Oxidative Stress Index, and Sex Hormones in Infertile Men: a Randomized Controlled Trial. Reprod Sci. 2020. View abstract.

Bañuls C, Rovira-Llopis S, López-Doménech S, et al. Effect of consumption of a carob pod inositol-enriched beverage on insulin sensitivity and inflammation in middle-aged prediabetic subjects. Food Funct. 2016;7(10):4379-4387. View abstract.

Birketvedt GS, Travis A, Langbakk B, Florholmen JR. Dietary supplementation with bean extract improves lipid profile in overweight and obese subjects. Nutrition 2002;18:729-33.. View abstract.

Bosscher D, Van Caillie-Bertrand M, Van Cauwenbergh R, Deelstra H. Availabilities of calcium, iron, and zinc from dairy infant formulas is affected by soluble dietary fibers and modified starch fractions. Nutrition. 2003;19(7-8):641-5. View abstract.

de la Fuente-Fernández M, de la Fuente-Muñoz M, Román-Carmena M, et al. Carob extract supplementation together with caloric restriction and aerobic training accelerates the recovery of cardiometabolic health in mice with metabolic syndrome. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022;11(9):1803. View abstract.

de la Fuente-Fernández M, González-Hedström D, Amor S, Tejera-Muñoz A, et al. Supplementation with a Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Fruit Extract Attenuates the Cardiometabolic Alterations Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Mice. Antioxidants (Basel). 2020;9(4):339. View abstract.

EFSA Panel on Food Additives Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS), Mortensen A, Aguilar F, et al. Re-evaluation of locust bean gum (E 410) as a food additive. EFSA J. 2017;15(1):e04646. View abstract.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

Gaamouri N, Zouhal H, Hammami M, et al. Effects of polyphenol (carob) supplementation on body composition and aerobic capacity in taekwondo athletes. Physiol Behav. 2019;205:22-28. View abstract.

Jedrzejczyk M, Bartnik K, Funkowicz M, Toporowska-Kowalska E. FPIES Induced by Locust Bean Gum in an Infant. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol. 2020;30(3):197-199. View abstract.

Komericki P, Kränke B. Immediate hypersensitivity to carob pods. Contact Dermatitis. 2009;61(4):239-40. View abstract.

Papaefstathiou E, Agapiou A, Giannopoulos S, Kokkinofta R. Nutritional characterization of carobs and traditional carob products. Food Sci Nutr. 2018;6(8):2151-2161. View abstract.

Pazzi F, Adsuar JC, Domínguez-Muñoz FJ, García-Gordillo MA, Gusi N, Collado-Mateo D. Ganoderma lucidum effects on mood and health-related quality of life in women with fibromyalgia. Healthcare (Basel) 2020;8(4):520. View abstract.

Ruiz-Roso B, Quintela JC, de la Fuente E, Haya J, Pérez-Olleros L. Insoluble carob fiber rich in polyphenols lowers total and LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic sujects. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2010;65(1):50-6. View abstract.

Sanagoo S, Farshbaf-Khalili A, Asgharian P, Hazhir S, Oskouei BS. Comparison of the effect of Ceratonia siliqua L. fruit oral capsule and vitamin E on semen parameters in men with idiopathic infertility: a triple-blind randomized controlled clinical trial. J Complement Integr Med 2021;18(4):791-6. View abstract.

Tounian P, Meunier L, Speijers G, Oozeer R, Vandenplas Y. Effectiveness and tolerance of a locust bean gum-thickened formula: a real-life study. Pediatr Gastroenterol Hepatol Nutr 2020;23(6):511-20. View abstract.

Aksit, S., Caglayan, S., Cukan, R., and Yaprak, I. Carob bean juice: a powerful adjunct to oral rehydration solution treatment in diarrhoea. Paediatr.Perinat.Epidemiol. 1998;12(2):176-181. View abstract.

Borrelli, O., Salvia, G., Campanozzi, A., Franco, M. T., Moreira, F. L., Emiliano, M., Campanozzi, F., and Cucchiara, S. Use of a new thickened formula for treatment of symptomatic gastrooesophageal reflux in infants. Ital J Gastroenterol.Hepatol. 1997;29(3):237-242. View abstract.

Bosscher, D., Caillie-Bertrand, M., and Deelstra, H. Effect of thickening agents, based on soluble dietary fiber, on the availability of calcium, iron, and zinc from infant formulas. Nutrition 2001;17(7-8):614-618. View abstract.

Clarke, P. and Robinson, M. J. Thickening milk feeds may cause necrotising enterocolitis. Arch Dis.Child Fetal Neonatal Ed 2004;89(3):F280. View abstract.

Corsi, L., Avallone, R., Cosenza, F., Farina, F., Baraldi, C., and Baraldi, M. Antiproliferative effects of Ceratonia siliqua L. on mouse hepatocellular carcinoma cell line. Fitoterapia 2002;73(7-8):674-684. View abstract.

Feldman, N., Norenberg, C., Voet, H., Manor, E., Berner, Y., and Madar, Z. Enrichment of an Israeli ethnic food with fibres and their effects on the glycaemic and insulinaemic responses in subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Br J Nutr 1995;74(5):681-688. View abstract.

Preventing HIV: How PrEP Works

Explore Medicare Advantage & Prescription Drug Coverage

Navigating Life With Migraine

Alternative Treatments for Migraines

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

Conditions

Drugs & Supplements

Well-Being

More

CAROB - Uses, Side Effects, and More