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Carob or Locust Bean Gum

What is carob (locust bean) gum?

Carob or locust bean gum or carubin or algaroba ^[1] is poorly soluble but viscous dietary fiber extracted from the seeds of the carob tree (Ceratonia siligua, which belongs to legume family) grown in Mediterranean. It is an indigestible carbohydrate, a polysaccharide made of galactose and mannose (a galactomannan).

Carob Gum as a Food Additive

Locust bean gum is used as a food thickener and stabilizer. In the European Union it is labeled as E number 410 ^[2]. Carob gum may be used in coffee, fish products, dried pasta, fermented milk, cream and infant formula.

Carob Gum Supplements: Possible Benefits

There is INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE about carob gum effectiveness in preventing or treating weight loss ^[4], reducing glucose spikes after meals in individuals with diabetes type 2 ^[6], reducing blood cholesterol levels ^[5,11], gastroesophageal reflux disease and heartburn (GERD) ^[4,7], diarrhea in children ^[4,8], celiac disease and sprue ^[4].

Guar Gum Safety: Toxicity, Side Effects

Carob gum is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) ^[9]. and has the “Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) not specified” status (the highest safety category by JECFA ^[1].

Pregnancy. Not enough studies have been done to evaluate carob been supplements safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding ^[4].

Carob gum may decrease the absorption of calcium, iron and zinc ^[12]. Individuals allergic to legumes may be allergic to foods containing locust bean gum; nasal discharge, asthmatic attack, hives (urticaria) and lip swelling (angioedema) have been reported ^[10].

Related Nutrients

Carob bean gum Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers Food Standards Agency
Harmoth-Hoene AE et al, 1982, Effect of carob bean flour on the resorption of minerals and trace elements in man PubMed
Carob uses, side effects Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database
Zavoral JH et al, 1983, The hypolipidemic efect of locust bean gum fod products in familal hypercholesterolemic adults and children The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Williams DR et al, 1980, Dietary fibre supplementation of a ‘normal’ breakfast administered to diabetics. PubMed
Miyazava R et al, 2004, Effect of locust bean gum in anti-regurgitant milk on the regurgitation in uncomplicated gastroesophageal reflux PubMed
Aksit S et al, 1998, Carob bean juice: a powerful adjunct to oral rehydration solution treatment in diarrhoea PubMed
DIRECT FOOD SUBSTANCES AFFIRMED AS GENERALLY RECOGNIZED AS SAFE [21CFR184.1343] US Food and Drug Administration
Alarcon E et al, 2011, Urticaria and Angioedema Due to Ingestion of Carob Gum: A Case Report Journal of Investigational Allergology and Clinical Immunology
Zunft HJ et al, 2003, Carob pulp preparation rich in insoluble fibre lowers total and LDL cholesterol in hypercholesterolemic patients PubMed