Carob bean extract supports cardiometabolic health factors, says recent animal study

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An animal study recently published in Antioxidants¹ found that supplementation with a carob bean extract (CSAT+ from Pharmactive Biotech Products S.L.; Madrid Spain) supports cardiometabolic health factors. In the study, mice were fed either a standard diet or one rich in fats and sugars, while supplementing with carob bean extract or not, for 26 weeks. CSAT+ is rich in soluble fibers and antioxidants, standardized to ≥36% galactomannan, to ≥2% fructooligosaccharides, and 1% polyphenols.

Results showed that supplementation reduced blood glucose, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, prevented metabolic syndrome-induced insulin resistance, reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory markers, and up-regulated mRNA levels of antioxidant markers. Supplementation also prevented metabolic syndrome-induced hypertension, attenuated endothelial dysfunction, and increased vascular sensitivity to insulin.

This is the second animal study to investigate the extract for efficacy on cardiometabolic health factors. An earlier, unpublished study found that supplementation supported obesity-induced endothelial function. The extract may also be used as a weight management solution, found in research to have satiating effects in addition to its support of metabolic factors.

References:

1. Fuente-Fernandez M et al. “Supplementation with a Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) Fruit Extract Attenuates the Cardiometabolic Alterations Associated with Metabolic Syndrome in Mice.” Antioxidants, vol. 9, no. 4 (2020):339