During certain processes, our body produces free radicals that can threaten our health. Of course, our organism is equipped with the appropriate mechanisms to counteract free radicals, but a diet rich in antioxidants can enhance the body’s defense process and ensure our health.
Naturally, one might wonder, “What are free radicals?” and “What are antioxidants?” Soon you will understand how useful the carob of Crete with its precious properties can be for you.
Oxygen free radicals are molecules that attack our cells. They exist in the environment and originate from both anthropogenic sources (atmospheric pollution, smoking, radiation) and natural processes (metabolism, respiration, aging). In fact, during periods of intense stress, larger quantities of free radicals are generated in the body compared to normal physiological conditions. Oxygen free radicals can cause oxidative stress through a process of chemical reactions, leading to the destruction of cellular membranes, the DNA molecule of the cell, and even the cells themselves. These substances can induce or accelerate natural aging processes or the onset of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases or even cancer. However, the production of these free radicals is a normal process of the human body and is called oxidation.
It is worth mentioning here, in parentheses, that oxidation, apart from being a physiological process of the human body, is also very common in nature. For example, the “rancidity” of oils and other fatty substances is attributed to oxidation. When something has “gone sour,” it means it has oxidized.
The antidote to this oxidation is, of course, anti-oxidation. The goal is to maintain a perfect balance between free radicals and the antioxidants in our body, thereby fortifying our organism against natural oxidation that occurs. To strengthen our body’s defense and prevent oxidation, we need a diet rich in antioxidants.
What are antioxidants?
They are valuable substances that neutralize these free radicals in our body. Antioxidants are produced by plants. The most potent antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, beta-carotene, lycopene, as well as selenium and zinc. However, we will focus on polyphenols (flavonoids, tannins, catechins, anthocyanins) found in carob, as well as in black and green tea, grapes and wine, cocoa, and others.
The antioxidant action of carob
It is known that carob fruit, the excellent carob, is an incredibly nutritious food. Apart from all its other benefits, carob contains polyphenols and tannins, which are antioxidant substances (as mentioned above) that fortify the organism. Due to the presence of at least six antioxidant substances, carobs exhibit significant anticancer activity. The chemopreventive components it contains are gallic acid, catechins, myricetin rhamnoside glycosides, eriodictyol glucoside, and quercetin glucoside.
Specifically, research has shown several interesting aspects regarding the antioxidant activity of carobs, which we will present below. The total polyphenol content in CPP determined by the Folin-Ciocalteu method was 19.2%. The content of condensed tannin determined by vanillin and proanthocyanidin analysis systems was 4.37% and 1.36%, respectively.
Through the extraction process (i.e., solid carob pieces in a liquid environment, i.e., water), it was observed that the boiling time (8-20 minutes) and temperature (80-100 °C) affect the efficiency of carob polyphenols and the overall antioxidant capacity expressed as the percentage of inhibition of free radicals DPPH and ABTS. The optimal conditions for total extraction of polyphenols and tannins were 98.5 °C and 17 minutes. Under these conditions, the inhibition of DPPH and ABTS radicals was 85%, demonstrating the promising use of this biomass as an antioxidant source, which could be used, for example, in pharmaceutical beverages.
Another study showed that carob extracts were rich in phenolic compounds, had significant antioxidant activity, and reduced the viability of cervical cancer cells (HeLa cells). Furthermore, the “Galhosa” female carob variety had the highest levels of phenolic compounds and the highest antioxidant activity. The phenolic content was correlated with both antioxidant and cytotoxic activities. The findings provide us with new knowledge regarding the health effects of consuming foods supplemented with carob flour.
In addition, an experiment was carried out in vitro (under strictly controlled conditions) antioxidant activity of aqueous carob pulp extracts was investigated. Unripe carob extracts recorded the highest total content of phenolics, flavonoids and ascorbic acid. These extracts also showed the highest activity against free radicals. Unripe carob extracts could be useful as a natural antioxidant agent for the food industry.
Finally, the antioxidant activity, the gastrointestinal solubility of polyphenols and the formation of different classes of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) occurring during the heat treatment of carob powder were investigated in relation to the different combinations of temperature and cooking time applied. The results showed that the antioxidant activity of carob powder can be significantly increased by roasting due to improved polyphenol solubility and early stage MRP formation. Carob powder roasted at 130 °C for 30 min yielded the highest antioxidant activity and the lowest toxic MRP formation.
Locust Bean Gum (E410) 150gr.
Raw Carob Flour 300gr.
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place
Raw Carob Flour BIO 300gr.
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place
All this shows us that carob can be a valuable ‘soldier’ in our body’s effort to neutralize unnecessary oxygen free radicals.
You can see HERE all-purpose carob products. We recommend carob tea (effective with the extraction process), carob flour and raw carob honey. Creta Carob for new taste experiences and healthy pleasures!
The best-selling carob products this year!
Whole Carob BIO 300gr.
Caffeine-free - Gluten Free - No preservatives or additives – Naturally sweet – Lightly roasted - 100% Cretan carob
Carob is a nutritionally complete fruit and its nutritional value is remarkable. It is rich in fibers, polyphenols and tannins which provide its antioxidant properties. Although it is rich in natural sugars,it islowin calories, fat, gluten-free andcaffeine free. Carob is rich in vitamins A,B and D, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, carbohydrates, protein, magnesium, and various metals. It is consumed raw as a fruit. Be careful with the hard pods.INGREDIENTS: Whole Carob STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place
Raw Carob Flour BIO 300gr.
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place
Carob Powder BIO 300gr.
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place
Caroffee BIO 300gr.
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place
Raw Carob Syrup BIO 350gr.
INGREDIENTS: Carob, Water STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place
Nutrition Carob Bar 50gr.
Whole Carob 300gr.
Caffeine-free - Gluten Free - No preservatives or additives – Naturally sweet – Lightly roasted - 100% Cretan carob
Carob is a nutritionally complete fruit and its nutritional value is remarkable. It is rich in fibers, polyphenols and tannins which provide its antioxidant properties. Although it is rich in natural sugars,it islowin calories, fat, gluten-free andcaffeine free. Carob is rich in vitamins A,B and D, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, carbohydrates, protein, magnesium, and various metals. It is consumed raw as a fruit. Be careful with the hard pods.INGREDIENTS: Whole Carob STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place
Carob Tea BIO 300gr.
INGREDIENTS: Carob in pieces STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place
Raw Carob Flour 300gr.
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place
Caroffee 300gr.
INGREDIENTS: CAROB IN POWDER STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS: Keep in a room temperature in dry and shaded place
Carob mini Rusk 300gr.
mini Carob Rusk
The Cretan carob nut is a ptraditional Greek bakery product, with carob flavor.
Contains only natural ingredients, such as water, olive oil, high-quality flour and carob powder, without preservatives and additives.
It has nutritional value with many health benefits. It is rich in fiber and has all the ingredients for a proper nutritional diet.
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It is of small size,
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slightly sweet,
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carob flavor and
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sprinkled with sesame seeds.
You can serve them together with other cookies and biscuits when drinking/serving coffee, tea or plain milk. It can be eaten plain or with any coating, such as tomato, cheese, pickles, olives, etc.
It is an ideal supplement for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
No added sugar. Components: flour, barley, carob flour, salt, yeast, sesame
Nutrition Carob Bar with Chocolate 45gr. BIO
References
- – Πηγή: Με… Νου αρωματόκηπος & ευεξία -Ανακαλύπτοντας τα μυστικά των βοτάνων, Μαρία Στικούδη, Ελένη Μαλούπα, Διαμάντω Λάζαρη, Νίκος Κρίγκας, εκδόσεις Πατάκη
- – Antioxidants from aqueous decoction of carob pods biomass (Ceretonia siliqua L.): Optimisation using response surface methodology and phenolic profile by capillary electrophoresis
- – Luisa Bivar Roseiro Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia Cláudia S. Tavares
- – José C Roseiro Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia Amélia P Rauter University of Lisbon
- – Phytochemical Profile, Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Activities of the Carob Tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Germ Flour Extracts
- – Luísa Custódio Centro de Ciências do Mar Ana Luísa Escapa Eliana Fernandes Alba Fajardo
- – Effects of extraction conditions on the recovery of phenolic compounds and in vitro antioxidant activity of carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) pulp
- – Yassine Benchikh Hayette Louailèche
- – Antioxidants from aqueous decoction of carob pods biomass (Ceretonia siliqua L.): Optimisation using response surface methodology and phenolic profile by capillary electrophoresis
- – Luisa Bivar Roseiro, Claudia S. Tavares, Jose C. Roseiro, Amelia P. Rauter
- – Optimization of roasting conditions as an useful approach for increasing antioxidant activity of carob powder
- – Dubravka Vitali Čepo, Ana Mornar, Biljana Nigović, Irena Vedrina Dragojević
