What Are the Benefits of Carob?

by Abbas Jahangir · November 23, 2021

Carob, which takes its name from its shape, is among the healing plants that nature offers to people. There is no one who has not heard the name of this wonderful plant. Its name is circulated from mouth to mouth, it spreads from ear to ear. If anyone has not met the carob fruit that deserves all kinds of praise, it means they have lost a lot. This plant, which is a member of the legumes family, is the largest of this family with its 4000-year history. Carob is one of the rarest plant species with countless features. Those who want to get to know him better, please say so.

Carob is the fruit of a tree that is 5 to 10 meters tall, native to the Mediterranean climate. It was given this name because of its shape resembling a goat’s horn. The tree from which the fruit grows is also known as the carob tree. The usage area of this plant, which is a complete pharmacy from its leaves to its fruit and even its stem, is also quite wide. Carob fruit and leaves are used in many ways.

What is Carob? Where Does It Grow?

Carob, a plant species to the Mediterranean climate, grows in wide geography dominated by the Mediterranean climate. After planting the carob seedling, it does not bear fruit for a long time, such as about 15 years. However, at the end of 15 years, around 1 ton of product can be obtained from a carob tree.

It is grown in the regions under the influence of the Mediterranean climate of countries such as Cyprus, Libya, and Turkey.

Spain alone meets 48% of the world’s carob production. After Spain, Portugal and Italy take the lead in carob production. In Turkey, it grows in regions such as Anamur, Mersin, Silifke, Manavgat, Datça and Marmaris.

What is Carob Calorie and Nutritional Value?

What makes the carob beneficial in many ways is, of course, its nutritional value. Carob, which is very rich in carbohydrates, fibers, vitamins, and minerals, has 73.3 calories. Carob contains 54.61 grams of carbohydrates, 4.18 grams of protein, 25.83 grams of fiber, and 0.69 grams of fat per 100 grams, and its cholesterol value is 0. Carob has a low sodium rate of 1% and its glycemic index value is 15.

With these nutritional values, carob is among the fruits that are ideal for dieters. 100 grams of this plant, which is also very rich in riboflavin (vitamin B2), meets 27% of the daily riboflavin need. It ranks second after dried apricots in terms of potassium. 100 grams of it meets 24% of the daily potassium requirement. It is a very rich plant in terms of many minerals such as magnesium, iron, phosphorus, which are necessary for the body.

What Are the Benefits of Carob?

It is very effective against osteoporosis due to its high calcium content.
It has little effect in the treatment of lung cancer, but it protects your body like a shield against lung cancer. It reduces the risk of developing lung cancer at a very high rate of 90 percent.
Gallic acid, which is not found in any other plant in its structure, detoxifies the liver, prevents polio, destroys bacteria; It is known as protective against asthma, allergies and microbes, destroying free radicals and a strong pain reliever. Therefore, a carob perfectly protects your body against diseases.
Vitamin E in its content is perfect against cough.
It cleans the blood and prevents vascular occlusion. Thus, it protects heart health. It reduces the risk of a heart attack.
The carob plant is extremely important for those suffering from shortness of breath and asthma patients.
It increases sexual potency, sperm quality, and number in men.
Due to its abundant fiber structure, it ensures the regular functioning of the digestive system.
The benefits of carob seeds include high calcium content. This ratio is almost three times that of milk.

What Is Carob Good For?

This is the section that should be read carefully for those who wonder what the use of goat horns is: It is one of the most healing plant species. For this reason, it is possible to come across carob products in many different forms in alternative medicine.

Thanks to its high calcium content, it is very good for bone development in children in developmental ages. It provides height extension.

When boiled and drunk, it becomes a strong expectorant. Thanks to its abundant fiber structure, it is also very good for the stomach.

Chewing carob also helps to lose weight as it gives a feeling of satiety for a long time.

It also plays a leading role in repairing damaged cells.

Carob, which has many health benefits, is a plant that does not have side effects but should not be overdone in its consumption. Due to the high sugar content in its content, diabetics should consult their doctor before consuming it.

How to Eat Carob?

Carob is a plant that can be consumed in many different ways. Therefore, it can be eaten in many different ways according to taste.

If you wish, you can consume it raw or boil it and consume it by making molasses.

Since carob is a plant that can be made into a tea by throwing it into boiling water, it can also be consumed in this way. However, it is useful not to overdo it while consuming it as tea. You can keep carob tea in your fridge for up to three days. However, it should not be consumed after the third day.

Dried carob can be consumed alone as a snack.

Carob seeds are also full of miracles. The benefits of carob seeds are not just for healing. Since each of the carob seeds weighs 0.2 grams without exception, it has also been used as a unit of weight in the past. Its seeds, which contain high amounts of calcium and zinc, can be consumed by boiling them in a glass of water. You should never try to crack the carob kernel, which is known to be one of the hardest kernels in nature, with your teeth.

Carob powder, which is obtained by grinding after drying, can be consumed by adding it to warm milk instead of cocoa, or it can be consumed by adding it to cakes or pastries.

What Are the Uses of Carob?

The usage areas of carob, whose benefits do not end with counting, are also quite wide. Those who wonder what carob is good for can find answers to their questions here.

Carob extract, which is obtained by boiling its fruit, also commonly known as carob, for a long time over low heat, is a very delicious product obtained from this plant. It is very effective in strengthening and protecting the immune system.

Carob takes second place after grapes in molasses production. Carob molasses should be consumed by everyone, especially children. It is very protective against diseases that spread quickly such as flu and cold in winter.

It is mostly used in the food industry. Especially since carob flour reduces costs in terms of price, it is used to prevent staleness in bakery products.

Carob, which is also used in ice cream production, is also preferred as a thickener in canned meat and fish products.

In addition to these, carob is also used in many branches of the chemical industry. It has a wide range of uses, from the production of photographic paper to the addition of paint paste to give shine to fabrics in textiles.

It is also used in the production of different products such as toothpaste, jelly, nail polish, shaving soap in the cosmetics industry.