Carob - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Who should not use carob?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take carob.

• Carob (Ceratonia siliqua)
• Locust bean gum (carob bean gum)
• Any of the ingredients in the specific carob product you are using

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific carob products they stock.

What should I know about carob before using it?

Carob is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep carob out of the reach of children.

Herbal Variability. Herbal products, such as carob, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific carob product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way that the plant was processed after it was harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

Different Plant Parts. Carob supplements may be made from the pod pulp, pod extract, pod powder, seed (which provides carob bean gum), or leaf. Products made from different parts of the plant may have different amounts of active chemicals, and their effects and safety profiles may differ. Always check the product label to know which part of the plant is used.

Different Supplement Forms. Carob is available as a powder, flour, syrup, capsule, extract, and gum (locust bean gum). The fiber content and polyphenol levels can vary significantly between forms. Check with your health care provider or pharmacist about which form may be appropriate for your intended use.

The FDA has not tested carob products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using carob?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if carob is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.

• Diabetes or prediabetes. Carob may lower blood sugar levels. If you are taking medicines for diabetes, your blood sugar may need to be monitored more closely.
• High cholesterol or other blood lipid problems. Carob may affect your cholesterol levels. Your health care provider may want to check your lipid levels while you are taking carob.
• Any food allergies, especially to legumes (such as peanuts, soybeans, or lentils)

Other Medicines and Supplements. Before taking carob, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how carob supplements could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus when taken in amounts larger than those found in food. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if carob supplements pass into breast milk in amounts larger than those found in food. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.