Carob Powder: It’s one of the hot food items recently, a best seller at Whole Foods Market, written up by newspapers, and touted by Dr. Oz on TV. Long considered a healthy substitute for chocolate or cocoa powder, it’s only recently that the many health benefits have been researched. Whether you add it to a smoothie, or replace the cocoa powder in your favorite baked items, you will want to add carob powder to your healthy pantry.

As reported on www.livestrong.com those benefits include :

Digestive Health: Eating carob regularly provides the body with various health benefits, according to DietiHub.com. One of the benefits of carob in the diet is its effects on digestive health. Carob helps to regulate the digestion process, while serving as a natural anti-allergic, antiseptic, and anti-bacterial agent. It contains tannins that are rich in gallic acid, which give it its beneficial effects. Additionally, carob provides powerful anti-viral benefits that supply the body with essential antioxidants. This is especially beneficial for people who are suffering from diarrhea, as it reduces acid production and combats related ailments. Regulates Blood Glucose: In addition to providing health benefits for digestion, carob is an effective agent for regulating blood glucose levels, according to the Prepared Foods Network website. Carob contains fiber that naturally helps to regulate blood sugar levels, which is especially beneficial for people with diabetes. Carob is primarily comprised of insoluble dietary fiber; however, it has similar health benefits to those of soluble fibers. As an insoluble fiber product, carob helps water bind in the digestive tract, which enhances the health of the intestinal tract and regulates blood glucose levels. The effects of carob on the glycemic index may also be powerful, but this is still being studied. Lowers Cholesterol: Carob is rich in dietary fiber, which is primarily insoluble, but offers similar effects to those of soluble fiber. According to the Prepared Foods Network website, carob’s health effects include the ability to naturally lower harmful cholesterol levels. This effect is especially beneficial for people who suffer from high cholesterol levels, and are therefore also at risk for heart disease. The cholesterol-reducing effects of carob may stem from its naturally high levels of lignin and polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants that are commonly found in plant-based foods. These antioxidants work by binding to stomach acids and cholesterol in order to help them pass through the body and be excreted.

For more information go to:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/250365-what-are-the-benefits-of-carob/

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