Effect of carob ( Ceratonia siliqua ) flour consumption on serum lipid profile in hyperlipidemic adults

Purpose This study aims to evaluate the effects of carob flour consumption on serum lipid profiles in hyperlipidemic adults. Design/methodology/approach Sixty hyperlipidemic individuals (30 women and 30 men) participated in a six-week controlled dietary intervention. All participants followed a Mediterranean diet model consistent with American Heart Association guidelines. The intervention group (n = 30; 15 women and 15 men) additionally consumed 15 g/day of carob flour. Mediterranean diet adherence, nutritional intake and physical activity levels were monitored using validated tools. Findings Significant improvements in total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were observed in both groups (p < 0.05), with no significant intergroup differences. However, triglyceride levels decreased significantly only in the intervention group (p < 0.05). The most prominent intergroup difference was observed in the reduction of fasting blood glucose levels, with a strong effect size (d = −0.920, p < 0.05) in the intervention group. Research limitations/implications This study has several limitations that should be considered when interpreting the findings. First, the simultaneous implementation of carob intervention alongside a Mediterranean-based lipid-lowering diet may have made it difficult to isolate the independent effects of carob. Although the sample size was calculated based on the effect sizes of previous carob-lipid profile studies, the concurrent dietary intervention may have limited the statistical power, particularly in intergroup comparisons. Second, dietary adherence and carob consumption were assessed via self-reporting, which lacks objective verification of actual intake amounts and bioavailability levels. In addition, the bioactive component profile of the carob product used was not quantitatively analyzed. Finally, potential confounding variables, such as sleep patterns, stress levels and other lifestyle factors, were not controlled. Practical implications The findings may shed light on the potential of carob to support glycemic control. Thus, they indicate that it can be considered as a supportive/auxiliary component in healthy nutrition education and dietary intervention processes aimed at improving metabolic regulation. Social implications This study may increase social awareness of carob as an integral, accessible, economic and sustainable local food of the Mediterranean diet that has remained in the background of today’s modern food systems. These findings may contribute to both the preservation of local biodiversity and the widespread adoption of low-cost, healthy eating habits by encouraging the integration of this traditional food into public health nutrition policies. Originality/value This study contributes to filling the knowledge gap regarding the metabolic implications of the Mediterranean diet in short-term (= 8 weeks) interventions, whereas it is predominantly recognized in the literature for its long-term effects. Furthermore, it is one of the limited clinical studies examining the effects of whole carob pulp intervention on the lipid profile in human subjects.