Carob instead of chocolate???

[donnia]

Has anyone heard of this???  My friend told me to check it out.  See the bolded part near the bottom.

http://www.herbalextractsplus.com/carob-bean.cfm?gclid=CPGj7NHxqo0CFSQsFQoddQ_20w

CAROB BEAN  Click here to
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Botanical: Ceratonia siliqua
Family: Fabaceae (pea)
Other common names: St. John's Bread, Algarroba

Troubled by diarrhea?  High fiber and tannin-rich properties in Carob may account for its recent popularity and reputation as a remarkable remedy for treating this common ailment.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

History:
Carob pods grow on a dome-shaped evergreen tree with dark green compound leaves. The tree may reach a towering height of nearly fifty feet and is native to the Mediterranean region of southeastern Europe and western Asia, and has been widely cultivated in those areas since ancient times for its edible pods, which are rich in protein and sugar. The pods are the so-called "locusts" that St. John the Baptist ate while he wandered and prayed in the desert; hence, we have Carob's common name,

St. John's Bread.  The seeds, which are remarkably uniform in mass, were used in ancient times as the original weight units for gold used by jewelers and goldsmiths and from which, we presume, the term "carat" is derived.  Although the root system grows deeply, the trees cannot tolerate waterlogging and thrive best in hot climates.  It is drought-resistant and well adapted to its native Mediterranean region and it one of the few trees growing in the desert regions of South America.   Although not regarded as a food staple in the Mediterrean countries, it will provide sustenance during times of famine and has been traditionally planted as forage for animals; it probably sustained the horses of Lord Allenby's cavalry during World War I and the Duke of Wellington's mounts in Spain during the Peninsular Campaign.  Since Carob was said to possess soothing properties, its demulcent properties were at one time used by singers to clear the throat.  Some of Carob's constituents include, protein, tannins, carbohydrates and fiber.

Beneficial Uses:
Carob is considered a remarkable antidiarrheal, and it is highly recommended that travelers pack Carob when visiting foreign countries. Carob is said to be high in fiber and rich in one class of tannins (polyphenols) that manifest strong antiviral and antiseptic properties, making it effective when given to treat bacterial-induced diarrhea.

According to Dr. Qi Dai, assistant professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, a ten-year study found that the particularly strong antioxidant effects of the polyphenols, which may be found in Carob, act to reduce the incidence of alzheimer's disease.

Carob is considered a demulcent, a medicine with soothing, mucilaginous qualities that shield mucous membranes from irritating substances.

In France, some early research indicates that Carob may be helpful in stimulating inactive kidneys and may be effective in cases of chronic kidney failure.

Carob is a wonderful substitute for cocoa, because it contains fewer calories, is naturally sweet, and, unlike cocoa or sweet chocolate, is caffeine-free and non addictive.  In addition, it is usually cheaper. Also unlike cocoa and chocolate, Carob does not interfere with the body's assimilation of calcium. Carob Beans may be roasted and ground for use as a coffee substitute, and Carob is a versatile additive used to flavor jams, liqueurs, juices, cigarettes and other food products.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) capsules, one (1) to two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
Currently, there are no known warnings or contraindications with the use of Carob, but some people have reported red eyes or thick discharge from the eyes, or sticky eyelids in the morning upon awakening.



Modified to add nutritional value:
Vitamins %DV
Vitamin A 2 IU 0%
   Retinol 0 mcg 
   Retional Activity Equivalent 0 mcg 
   Alpha Carotene 0 mcg 
   Beta Carotene 0 mcg 
   Beta Cryptoxanthin 0 mcg 
   Lycopene 0 mcg 
   Lutein + Zeaxanthin 0 mcg 
Vitamin C 0.5 mg 0%
Vitamin E 1.18 mg 3%
Vitamin K 7.7 mcg 12%
Thiamin 0.1 mg 6%
Riboflavin 0.178 mg 10%
Niacin 1.04 mg 5%
Vitamin B6 0.13 mg 6%
Vitamin B12 1 mcg 16%
Folate 21 mcg 5%
   Food Folate 21 5.6 mcg ~
   Folic Acid 0 mcg ~
   Dietary Folate Equivalents 21 mcg ~
Pantothenic Acid 0.75 mcg 7%

 
Minerals %DV
Calcium 303 mg 30%
Iron 1.29 mg 7%
Magnesium 36 mg 9%
Phosphorus 126 mg 12%
Potassium 633 mg 26%
Sodium 107 mg 4%
Zinc 3.53 mg 23%
Copper 0.183 mg 9%
Manganese 0.14 mg 7%
Selenium 5.2 mcg 7%

 
Fats %DV
Total Fat 31.36 mg 48%
Saturated Fat 29.018 mg 145%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.483 mg ~
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.295 mg ~

 

[jbeany]

Carob, like every other bean, has a large amount of potassium.  It's not all that low on phosphorus, either.  It's frequently used as a low-cal substitute for chocolate, which is fine if the only thing you are watching is calories.  Personally, I don't really like the taste, and I stick with real chocolate.  I'd rather have a small amount of the good stuff than a huge amount of a poor substitute.  As for taking it as a health supplement - If the nutrient list you posted is the total for two capsules, the potassium level in them would NOT be good for a dialysis patient.

[donnia]

Gotcha!  When I went back and found the nutrition values, I was shocked with the potassium level.

[Krisna]

I like carob but it is high in potassium.  I don't eat it anymore but I used to when I was a kid and teenager.  But then I had a working transplant!

[KT0930]

When I was a kid and on PD, my mom was told that carob was a good sub for me for choc. I didn't understand it at the time, but I guess it's lower in phosphorous than chocolate, and of course on PD you can have potassium. I haven't heard anything about it this time around, but then, I haven't asked either.

If you want chocolate, my dietician told me that the store brand semi-sweet chocolate chips are ok for dialysis patients (look for "chocolate liquor" in the list of ingredients). I know Kroger and Publix store brands are both ok. I melted some one night to dip fruit in, and couldn't tell a difference between them and Nestle.