[EFfect of carob bean flour on the resorption of minerals and trace elements in man]

The effect of carob bean gum (9.5 g/1000 kcal, 4184 kJ) in the daily diet on the absorption of Ca, Fe, Zn and Cu was determined during a 4-week balance study in 2 male and 6 female healthy subjects, aged 19 to 25 years. A normal mixed diet was used, to which carob bean gum was added during food preparation for the last 2 weeks of the study. The absorption of minerals and trace elements was calculated as the difference between dietary intake and fecal excretion. The ingestion of carob bean gum caused a significant reduction in the absorption of Ca, Fe and Zn when compared to the control diet, while the absorption of Cu remained unchanged.