A recent study scientifically headed by Professor Hans-Joachim Zunft from the University of Potsdam, Germany, indicated the potential of carob fibre to help to reduce LDL cholesterol in humans.
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Carob fiber is the common name for a preparation derived from carob pulp which contains dietary fibre and polyphenols. The results of the research, funded by Nutrinova, suggest that the unique composition of carob fibre, with its high levels of polyphenols, may provide a contribution to human health and nutrition via a variety of food products.
The research was conducted on volunteers with increased cholesterol levels. They consumed carob fibre on a regular basis in addition to their normal diet. The study involved 47 adult volunteers (31 females, 16 males) with a total serum cholesterol level ranging between 6.0 and 7.8 mmol/l. The volunteers were instructed to stay on their normal diet during the eight week study period. They consumed three times daily 5 g carob fibre in the form of foods such as breakfast cereals, fruit bars and flavoured milk drinks.
The results showed a maximum reduction in total- and LDL-cholesterol levels after six weeks: total cholesterol reduction by 7.8%, LDL cholesterol reduction by 12.1%. The LDL/HDL ratio decreased significantly between week 0 and week 4 and then remained relatively constant. HDL cholesterol, triglyceride and glucose levels did not change significantly and remained within the normal limits.
“These results are encouraging and unique, too, since cholesterol lowering activity of this nature is predominantly linked with soluble rather than insoluble dietary fiber,” explains Professor Zunft. “The special composition of carob fibre, however, could provide the key to this special effect and pave the way for its inclusion in such food products as breakfast cereals and bakery goods.”
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By GlobalData“We welcome these positive results from the first human clinical trial on carob fibre. Nutrinova is continuing research of Caromax™ and will fund a second clinical study within this year,” says Dr Bernd Haber, project manager innovation and responsible for clinical trials at Nutrinova. “Nutrinova has been interested in the potential health benefits of carob fibre for some years. We are seeking to provide food manufacturers with innovative ingredients that can deliver nutritionally important benefits to the consumer.”
Carob fibre is derived from the pulp of the carob fruit, which comes from Ceratonia siliqua, a member of the legume family, and is native to the Mediterranean region. The fruit of the tree, the carob bean or St John’s bread as it is also known, has been used by humans for decades as a source of nutrition.
