Carob and the Digestive System
Carob has long been traditionally used in the Mediterranean and Anatolia for digestive complaints such as diarrhea. This use is associated with the tannin and fiber content of carob. Some clinical studies in children suggest that carob products may shorten the duration of diarrhea when used in addition to oral fluid therapy.
However, the number of studies is limited, and diarrhea is a condition that can have serious consequences due to fluid loss, especially in young children. In this article, we discuss the relationship between carob and the digestive system, scientific findings and points to consider.
Digestive Components of Carob
The possible effects of carob on the digestive system are discussed through three groups of components:
| Tannins | Mature locust bean pods may contain 16–20 percent condensed tannins by dry weight (Goulas et al., 2016). Tannins are known for their ability to bind to proteins and leave an astringent feeling in the mouth. |
| Insoluble fiber | Most of the fiber obtained from carob pulp is insoluble and occurs together with polyphenols (Goulas et al., 2016). |
| Soluble fiber (carob gum) | Carob gum (E410) obtained from the kernel is a galactomannan that forms a consistency with water. According to the assessment of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), carob gum is practically not digested in man, is not absorbed intact and is significantly fermented by intestinal bacteria (EFSA ANS Panel, 2017). |
Each of these ingredients behaves differently in the digestive system. Therefore, instead of saying "carob affects digestion like this", it is necessary to indicate which product and which ingredient is being discussed.
Traditional Use: Carob in Diarrhea
The use of carob in diarrhea is not new. In the article of a clinical study conducted in Turkey, it is stated that carob has been used among the people in the treatment of diarrheal diseases in Anatolia since ancient times (Akşit et al., 1998). In review studies, the antidiarrheal effects of carob are considered among the most researched health topics, along with cancer, diabetes and hyperlipidemia (Goulas et al., 2016).
Traditional use is a valuable starting point for scientific research; however, it does not by itself indicate that a product is effective or safe. Therefore, below we look at what clinical studies have found.
Clinical Trials: Acute Diarrhea in Children
Belgium, 1989. In a randomized study conducted in infants aged 3–21 months hospitalized for acute diarrhea of bacterial and viral origin, all infants were given oral rehydration fluid; in addition to one group, tannin-rich carob powder (1.5 grams per kilogram of body weight per day, maximum 15 grams) was given to the other group, and placebo was given to the other group. The mean duration of diarrhea was found to be 2.0 days in the carob group and 3.75 days in the placebo group. Normalization of stool, body temperature and weight and cessation of vomiting were also faster in the carob group (Loeb et al., 1989). The powder used in this study is a specially prepared product containing high levels of tannins and polyphenols.
Turkey, 1998. In a study conducted on 80 children aged 4–48 months who were admitted to SSK Tepecik Training Hospital in Izmir with acute diarrhea and mild to moderate fluid loss, the children received either only the World Health Organization's standard oral rehydration solution or carob juice with this solution. In the group receiving carob juice, the duration of diarrhea decreased by 45 percent, the amount of stool decreased by 44 percent, and the need for oral rehydration solution decreased by 38 percent. Researchers stated that carob juice may play a role in the treatment of children's diarrhea after being technologically processed and that more studies need to be done (Akşit et al., 1998).
Systematic review, 2017. In a systematic review examining herbal treatments for digestive system disorders in children and adolescents, it was stated that there is promising evidence for carob juice in the treatment of diarrhea. However, the researchers emphasized that the number of studies is limited, the results need to be interpreted with caution, and more rigorous clinical trials are needed (Anheyer et al., 2017).
Things to Consider When Interpreting Results
Although these studies are interesting, the following points should be underlined:
- Carob was not used alone. In both clinical trials, carob was used in oral rehydration therapy In addition given. The main treatment for diarrhea is to replace fluid and electrolyte loss.
- The products used are special. The powder in the Belgian study is a specially prepared tannin-rich product; Carob juice in the Turkish study is also not a standard commercial product. Carob powder or molasses on grocery store shelves may not have the same effect.
- The studies are few and old. Participant numbers are limited, and many of the studies date back decades.
- Molasses is a different product. Carob molasses contains intense sugar; liquids containing high sugar may not always be suitable for diarrhea.
Diarrhea in infants and young children can lead to severe fluid loss in a short time. In cases such as bloody diarrhea, high fever, persistent vomiting, decrease in the amount of urine, weakness or complaints that exceed a few days, a health institution should be consulted immediately. Carob products should never be used as a substitute for medical evaluation and treatment.
Possible role of tannins
Tannins are thought to play a role in the possible effect of carob on diarrhea. For this reason, the title of the Belgian study bears the phrase "tannin-rich carob pods" (Loeb et al., 1989). The powder used in the study was reported by the researchers to contain 40 percent tannins (or 21.2 percent polyphenols) and 26.4 percent dietary fiber.
Gallic acid and gallotannins constitute the majority of the polyphenols in carob fiber (Owen et al., 2003). The ability of tannins to interact with proteins in the intestine is among the mechanisms proposed to explain the antidiarrheal effects. However, there is not enough data to say that these mechanisms have been confirmed in detail in humans.
We discuss the chemical structure of carob tannins and polyphenols in a separate article.
Carob Gum and Digestion
Carob gum comes to the fore with its use as a thickener in baby foods in relation to the digestive system. These foods are used in the management of oral milk (regurgitation) and vomiting complaints in babies. We discuss the subject in detail in our article Foods Containing Reflux and Carob Gum in Babies.
Carob gum can also affect stool structure, as it is a fiber fermented in the gut. In a large real-life study using foods thickened with carob gum, infants' stool frequency increased and its consistency softened, but the values remained within the physiological range; researchers have linked this to increased fiber load (Tounian et al., 2020). In another randomized controlled trial, infants fed formula containing locust bean gum were shown to have no more watery stools than those fed unthickened control formula (Salvatore et al., 2024). It should also be noted that these studies were supported by the formula manufacturer.
EFSA, on the other hand, concluded that there were no safety concerns when evaluating carob gum for the general population; however, it stated that infants and young children fed foods for special medical purposes may be more susceptible to the effects of carob gum on the digestive system due to their underlying diseases (EFSA ANS Panel, 2017).
Carob and Digestion in Daily Life
A general framework for adults who want to evaluate carob in terms of digestion can be drawn as follows:
- Carob powder and fruit are fiber-rich foods and can be included in a balanced diet.
- When fiber intake is increased suddenly and in large amounts, some people may experience discomfort such as bloating or gas; gradual increase is more appropriate.
- Carob has an astringent taste because it contains tannins; people with sensitive stomachs may prefer to start with small amounts.
- People with chronic digestive complaints, inflammatory bowel diseases or regular medication use should consult a physician before using carob supplements.
- Hypersensitivity to carob gum has been reported, although rare; for example, a case of food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES) triggered by carob gum was published in an infant (Jędrzejczyk et al., 2020); in case of a suspicious reaction, the use of the product should be discontinued and a physician should be consulted.
For more information on the fiber content of carob and its relationship with the gut microbiota Carob and Dietary Fiber and Carob, Gut Microbiota and Prebiotic Effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is carob good for diarrhea? In some clinical trials in children, special carob products given in addition to oral rehydration therapy have been reported to shorten the duration of diarrhea. However, studies are limited and carob is not a substitute for fluid therapy and medical evaluation.
Can I give my baby carob when he has diarrhea? Diarrhea in babies can lead to rapid fluid loss. A pediatrician should be consulted before giving any product.
Does carob make you constipated? No direct study with carob powder or fruit has been found on this subject. Since carob contains both tannins and fiber, its effect may vary depending on the person and the amount consumed.
Is carob molasses good for digestion? Molasses is a product in which most of the fiber is removed and sugar is concentrated. No clinical study has been reached that directly examines its effect on digestion.
Carob Products with Carob Türkiye
Carob's relationship with the digestive system is an intriguing topic that spans from traditional use to clinical trials. However, the available evidence is limited, and carob should not be considered a substitute for medical treatment, especially for conditions like diarrhea in children.
At Carob Türkiye, we supply carob fruit, crumbs, flour/powder, seeds, and extracts. Our Products Our Products You can review it on the page, for your wholesale and export requests You can contact us.
This content is for informational purposes only; it is not a substitute for medical advice.
Domestic resources
Akşit, S., Çağlayan, S., Çukan, R., Yaprak, I., "Carob bean juice: a powerful adjunct to oral rehydration solution treatment in diarrhoea", Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology, 12(2), 176–181, 1998 (study conducted in Turkey). doi.
org/ 10. 1046/ j. 1365- 3016. 1998. 00093. x Foreign sources
Loeb, H., Vandenplas, Y., Würsch, P., Guesry, P., "Tannin-rich carob pod for the treatment of acute-onset diarrhea", Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, 8(4), 480–485, 1989. doi.
org/ 10. 1097/ 00005176- 198905000- 00010 Anheyer, D., Frawley, J., Koch, A. K., Lauche, R., Langhorst, J., Dobos, G., Cramer, H., "Herbal Medicines for Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review", Pediatrics, 139(6), e20170062, 2017. doi.
org/ 10. 1542/ peds. 2017- 0062 Goulas, V., Stylos, E., Chatziathanasiadou, M.V., Mavromoustakos, T., Tzakos, A.G., "Functional Components of Carob Fruit: Linking the Chemical and Biological Space", International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 17(11), 1875, 2016. doi.
org/ 10. 3390/ ijms17111875 Owen, R. W., Haubner, R., Hull, W. E., Erben, G., Spiegelhalder, B., Bartsch, H., Haber, B., "Isolation and structure elucidation of the major individual polyphenols in carob fibre", Food and Chemical Toxicology, 41(12), 1727–1738, 2003. doi.
org/ 10. 1016/ S0278- 6915(03)00200- x EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Nutrient Sources added to Food (ANS), Mortensen, A. et al., "Re-evaluation of locust bean gum (E 410) as a food additive", EFSA Journal, 15(1), e04646, 2017. doi.
org/ 10. 2903/ j. efsa. 2017. 4646 Tounian, P., Meunier, L., Speijers, G., Oozeer, R., Vandenplas, Y., "Effectiveness and Tolerance of a Locust Bean Gum-Thickened Formula: A Real-Life Study", Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition, 23(6), 511–520, 2020. doi.
org/ 10. 5223/ pghn. 2020. 23. 6. 511 Salvatore, S., Klymenko, V., Karpushenko, Y., Durczak-Hilleman, M. et al., "Tolerance and Safety of an Anti-Regurgitation Formula Containing Locust Bean Gum, Pre-, and Postbiotics: A Multi-Country Multi-Center Prospective Randomized Controlled Study in Infants with Regurgitation", Nutrients, 16(6), 899, 2024. doi.
org/ 10. 3390/ nu16060899 Jędrzejczyk, M., Bartnik, K., Funkowicz, M., Toporowska-Kowalska, E., "FPIES Induced by Locust Bean Gum in an Infant", Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology, 30(3), 197–199, 2020. doi.
Scientific Resourcesorg/ 10. 18176/ jiaci. 0475
