45-3 |
CaromaxTM: The multi-benefit carob product |
R. L. BARNDT, Nutrinova Inc., 285 Davidson Ave., Ste. 102, Somerset, NJ 08873 Caromax™ is a natural, patented isolate of the carob husk with a total dietary fiber content greater than 80%. Due to its unique composition, this innovative product shows the potential for a diverse variety of health benefits, namely: · Positive effect on cholesterol metabolism · Potential regulation effect on blood glucose levels · High antioxidative potential · Improved digestion. Carob bean, or St. John’s bread, the brown pod of the carob tree, is a fruit rich in carbohydrates which, for centuries, has been used by man as a nutrition source. Whereas the seeds, which are used to prepare locust bean gum, mainly deliver water-soluble polysaccharides, the husk of the pod, which makes up about 90% of the fruit, stands out due to its high content of carbohydrates, minerals, protein, insoluble dietary fibers and tannic acid. The use of processed carob husk in confectioneries is well-established. Generally, insoluble fibers are used almost exclusively to improve digestion via improved transit time; larger, softer, more frequent stools; and decreased constipation. Caromax™, however, though mainly an insoluble fiber, has also shown cholesterol-reduction effects and positive blood glucose regulation normally found only in soluble fibers. No other dietary fiber boasts such positive nutritional effects across both fiber categories. A recently published human clinical study was conducted using Caromax™ with 47 healthy volunteers with moderate hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol 232–302 mg/dL). The study results show a statistically significant reduction in both mean total cholesterol (7.8%) and LDL cholesterol (12.2%) (p<0.001). HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels remained unchanged. In addition, Caromax™ is the first dietary fiber that possesses antioxidative characteristics said to provide the body with an especially protective effect. In comparison to common dietary fibers such as cereal bran, cellulose or dietary fibers containing pectin, Caromax™ shows a much greater protective effect against oxidative damages.
Session 45, Ingredients
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