6 Properties And Benefits Of Carob Flour

Carob flour helps lower cholesterol levels, among other health benefits. It is also low in fat, which is why it is very useful in weight management. Read on to find out more useful information!

Carob flour is a type of flour obtained from a legume. Carob is very nutritious and healthy. For this reason, it is used as a cocoa substitute in many recipes for cakes, cookies or drinks. Do you know the main properties and benefits of carob flour? Discover them in this article!

What is carob?

Carob or Ceratonia siliqua is a tree with perennial flowers. It is native to the Mediterranean basin and belongs to the Fabaceae family . Therefore, it produces seed pods indoors. The carob pod is about 12 to 20 cm long. When it reaches maturity in late summer, it turns brown and tastes sweet.

To get carob flour, you need to remove the seeds from the pods and then dehydrate them. Then fry and grind the seeds to get a fine powder. You can use this powder to cook or add it to smoothies, yogurt or any other food you want.

Nutritional composition of carob flour

Carob is rich in carbohydrates and dietary fiber. In addition, it also provides healthy proteins and fats.

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Useful properties for health

Carob flour is very low in fat, while cocoa is rich in saturated fats, which are harmful to heart health.

Also, many of the benefits associated with the consumption of carob flour are due to its soluble fiber content. This type of fiber helps regulate intestinal function and significantly lowers blood cholesterol levels. In addition, carob flour does not contain gluten, which means that it is suitable for people suffering from celiac disease and those intolerant to gluten.

The main benefits of carob flour

1. Helps control body weight

Woman who takes advantage of the benefits of carob flour for weight loss

Using carob flour in recipes can help maintain a healthy and balanced weight.

Carob flour does not contain fat and therefore the food prepared from it contains fewer calories than those containing cocoa. This helps to gain and maintain a healthy weight.

Moreover, this legume is very rich in soluble fiber, which remains in the stomach for a long time, prolonging the feeling of satiety and reducing appetite.

2. It is an excellent source of iron

Iron is an essential mineral for maintaining the functioning of the immune system, improving physical and mental performance and producing healthy red blood cells. To better absorb carob iron, it is necessary to combine it with foods rich in vitamin C, such as citrus fruits.

3. It is rich in calcium

Calcium from carob flour is better used by the body than calcium from other plant sources. This is due to the fact that this legume does not contain oxalates, these being compounds that inhibit the intestinal absorption of this mineral.

4. Lowers blood cholesterol levels

Due to its high fiber content, this food can be a good ally in controlling high cholesterol.

The soluble fiber in this legume captures cholesterol and inhibits its absorption. As a result, cholesterol does not enter the bloodstream and is eliminated. Also, carob flour does not contain tyramine. Cocoa contains this substance, which is linked to the onset of headaches and worsening migraines.

5. It has a prebiotic effect

The fibers in this plant help the development of the fermentative intestinal flora. Although it has been used as an antidiarrheal, carob flour has a laxative effect and facilitates peristalsis. It also supports the healing of infections and gastrointestinal problems.

In general, dietary fiber present in carob forms gels in the intestines, which promotes bowel movements. Carob flour also has an astringent effect due to its tannin content.

6. It is an excellent source of antioxidants

Carob flour contains polyphenols, which help reduce oxidative damage and keep cells healthy. Therefore, carob flour helps prevent the effects of premature aging.

Did you know all these benefits of carob flour? Now that you know how beneficial it is for your health, prepare your favorite recipes!