What is apple pectin

10 Health Benefits of Apple Pectin You Should Know

You may have heard of the saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” This is because of the amount of pectin found in apples. Pectin is known as a type of fiber, a complex carbohydrate that is needed by our body.

Pectin is not solely found in apples, and it can be found in other fruits and vegetables. In apples, the pectin is usually found on its skin and its pulp. This explains why you should not always remove the skin of apples.

Now that you know what pectin is, you want to know what else it can do. Here are some of the benefits that you can receive with pectin:

Health Benefits of Apple Pectin

Top 10 Health Benefits of Apple Pectin

1. Regulate the digestive system

There are a lot of benefits that apple pectin can give. Its high fiber content can help aid the digestive system in removing the toxins inside the body.

At the same time, it helps absorb the nutrients from food better so that the body is more nourished. It can also help the body cope with some problems.

• If you are suffering from diarrhea, this can be highly effective in firming your stools.
• Lessen the effects and symptoms of having Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS.
• Remove the inflammation that may be related to other digestive problems and diseases.

2. Prevent various diseases

Apple pectin can give a large amount of soluble fiber that the body needs; you can expect to be less prone to cardiovascular diseases. You can expect the following:

• You will have lower cholesterol levels.
• Your heart health will improve tremendously.
• The intestines will not take in too much cholesterol so that your body will not get fully affected by too much cholesterol.

3. Prevent the onset of Cancer

One of the deadliest diseases that people would not like to get right now is Cancer. Although there are some known cures for Cancer, these cures are not 100% effective. Some people develop different conditions because of taking some treatments for the disease. It has been said that the intake of pectin can help stop the growth of cancer.

• Pectin specifically blocks the possibility of cancer cells spreading in different parts of the body.
• It stops Galactin 3 to prevent cancer growth and makes the process slower.
• It has been said that pectin is most effective in fighting certain types of cancer. These types are the following: prostate, lung, and colon cancer.

4. Give the adequate protection needed against Metabolic Syndrome

Many people are currently suffering from weight gain and a wide variety of diseases connected to their weight gain.

Being obese can result in higher blood sugar and higher cholesterol levels that can lead to heart diseases and stroke. The regular intake of pectin can help promote effective weight loss.

• Just make sure that aside from consuming enough pectin, a healthier lifestyle is recommended too.
• Try being more active, especially if you are usually in front of your computer for hours.
• Try to take the most natural way by eating apples with fruits and vegetables with high pectin content.

5. Improve intestinal health

Do you know that your intestines can play a huge role in your current health? The intestinal tract has good and bad bacteria, and it can be a problem if there are more bad bacteria than good bacteria.

Remember that the good bacteria’s job is to absorb nutrients and, at the same time, keep the bad bacteria away. If you would like to improve your intestinal health, the best way to do this is by taking in the right amount of pectin every day.

6. Remove the toxins inside your body

Do you know why you sometimes feel sluggish, and you are unable to continue with your tasks? It is because of the toxins that are in your system. To get rid of these toxins efficiently, you can take enough pectin every day. It will improve your digestive system and will get rid of more toxins faster than before.

7. It can help you when you are constipated

If you would like to lessen your problems with constipation, taking enough pectin can be highly useful for you. Pectin can work both ways.

It can loosen your stools when you suffer from constipation and make them firmer when you are suffering from diarrhea. If you are constipated and you are having trouble passing bowels, taking pectin is one of the best options to try.

• Remember that when you take apple pectin, you are supposed to take fluids as well.
• If you are not sure if you are recommended to take pectin, you may ask your physician about it first to be sure.
• You also have to be extra careful when taking the right amount of pectin because if you take too much, this can make the absorption of certain medications slower.

8. Apple Pectin is a good source of Vitamin C

Do you realize that you are deficient in certain types of vitamins? The body needs different vitamins to stay healthy, but people do not eat the right food products to supply them with the nutrients they need.

If you suspect that you lack Vitamin C, taking apple pectin can help solve this problem. Studies show that apple pectin contains 96% of the needed Vitamin C of the body.

9. Remove certain types of metals from the body

Some Chernobyl victims are in dire need of removing the radioactive waste that they have become exposed to. According to some studies, exposure to apple pectin mixed in with citrus has allowed the removal of metals successfully.

More people should be aware of this detoxification process, especially if they would benefit from it.

10. Protect sores from getting infected

You may get sores on different parts of your body because of different reasons. You may acquire sores because of certain medical conditions.

At times, the sores may have been inflicted on you, or you became clumsy and acquired some wounds in the place. Sores can get worse if they get infected. To avoid doing this, you can apply apple pectin to the wound. This is most effective in getting rid of mouth sores.

Some Side Effects to Expect

Taking apple pectin may be good for you, but there are some side effects that you may experience, such as the following:

• Stomach Gas– This can become uncomfortable if you have too much gas.
• Diarrhea – If you do not take the worst amount of pectin, it might worsen the current digestive condition.

There are also instances when people assume that they have to take apple pectin to cure their chronic digestive issues, but this is not always the case. If in case you have a condition that you want to cure soon, you should consult your doctor first so you will be given proper advice on whether taking pectin will be useful for your condition or not.

You cannot combine apple pectin if you are taking these medications:

• Antibiotics – the number of antibiotics that the body will take in by the body will be lessened greatly, and it might prove ineffective.
• Mevacor – The intake of pectin can also affect how effective Mevacor is going to be. If you are not familiar with this, Mevacor is what you take to lower your blood cholesterol.
• Digoxin – the body may not fully absorb be absorbed by the bodInsteadis always advisable; instead, it is always advisable that f mixing different medications, allot a few hours before taking the next one.

A tip to remember: For those who are working in factories that work with apple pectin, the effect of apple pectin dust is different from apple pectin itself. Those who are exposed to it may experience some discomfort. Some become exposed to apple pectin dust for a long time, and they start to develop asthma afterward. Do not let this happen to you by protecting yourself often.

Other Sources of Pectin

It is rare to find people who dislike eating apples. Some cannot take apples even if they want to because their bodies do not match up with some of the components of apples. If this is the case, there are other sources of pectin available such as the following:

Purchasing the Right Type of Pectin

You have to know before searching for apple pectin that there are different types of pectin available. The most common type is the one that you can purchase to make jam. This is not your intention. You are searching for pectin that will give you medicinal benefits, so where are you supposed to buy the right type of pectin?

At this point, you may be curious about creating your pectin. This is okay if you are aware of the things that you should do, but if not, there is a chance that you will place the wrong amount of ingredients and make the whole process unsuccessful. When purchasing the right type of pectin, you may do the following:

• Read reviews and recommendations about where people usually purchase their pectin.
• The more natural the pectin is, the better it would be.
• Check out different companies that offer apple pectin first. This is better than purchasing from the very first company that you see.

How To find the right pectin

1. What is the pack of pectin that you are going to purchase? The amount that you are going to purchase highly depends on how much you need. A lot of stores offer both small and large packs to accommodate your requirements.
2. Will the pectin that you will purchase last for a long time? Some packed pectin is meant to be stored only for a short amount of time. You have to know how long you will store the pectin to buy the right one for you.
3. Where is the pectin placed? For your convenience, the pectin you will purchase should be placed in individual sachets that you can easily use whenever you need to.
4. Consider the process that the pectin goes through before being packed. To ensure the quality of the pectin, you are going to purchase, look for ones that go through a 6 step process. This will ensure that the pectin has high absorption properties, which can be beneficial to you.
5. Consider the taste of the pectin if you are going to buy in supplement form. Most pectin supplements do not taste good, but some come with great taste. You may research this or ask other people who are also taking apple pectin to give you other recommendations.

With all of the things you have learned about apple pectin, do you think you are ready to search for the right one you will consume every day? Remember to consider quality when purchasing and flavor, too, if you will take it orally.

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What Is Apple Pectin?

Gelling compound in apples is a great source of soluble fiber

Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman’s World, and Natural Health.

Arno Kroner, DAOM, LAc, is a board-certified acupuncturist, as well as an herbalist and integrative medicine doctor. He operates a private practice in Santa Monica, California.

Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak

Apple pectin is a type of soluble fiber found naturally in apples. Extracted pectin is commonly used to thicken jams and preserves, but can also be taken as a dietary supplement. Apple pectin is believed by some to improve digestive health and help prevent or treat gastrointestinal and metabolic disorders. When it mixes with water in the intestine, pectin forms a gel-like substance that can ease bowel movements.

What Is Apple Pectin Used For?

Pectin is a type of acid found in the cell wall of plants that is mainly composed of a sugar acid known as galacturonic acid. In its natural form, pectin is not digestible by human enzymes but can be broken down by bacteria in the gut. 

When modified in the lab with chemicals like acetic acid and calcium chloride,   pectin is more digestible and inferred to be more bioavailable.

Modified citrus pectin (MCP) supplements are most commonly found on drugstore shelves, but there are also apple pectin supplements that offer similar benefits.

Practitioners of alternative medicine believe that apple pectin can prevent or treat a wide range of medical conditions, including:

Despite its purported benefits, there is little solid proof that apple pectin can prevent or treat any disease. As a soluble fiber, pectin may help relieve constipation or diarrhea and improve heart health. Further research is needed.

Here is some of what the current body of research says about apple pectin.

Diarrhea

A combination of apple pectin and chamomile extract may help relieve diarrhea in children, suggests an early study in the German journal Arzneimittelforschung (Drug Research). 

For this study, 255 children ages 6 months to 6 years were given either an inactive placebo or a commercial preparation called Diarrhoesan (containing 320 milligrams, mg, of apple pectin and 250 mg of camomile extract) during an acute bout of diarrhea.

According to the investigators, the children treated with Diarrhoesan experienced greater improvement in symptoms compared to those that weren’t. Although pectin may be presumed to be the cause of this, the researchers were unable to draw any conclusions as to which ingredient was more or less active.

Similarly, a 2015 study conducted at Jinling Hospital in China reported that among 87 adults with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), those given 24 grams of pectin powder per day experienced better control of their symptoms and few bouts of diarrhea over a 29-month period than those given a placebo. 

High Cholesterol

Apple pectin may help lower cholesterol, according to a 2012 study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The researchers examined the effects of different types of apple or citrus pectin in people with mildly elevated cholesterol and observed that both types were able to lower «bad» low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol anywhere from 7% to 10%. 

LDL cholesterol is the type that can buildup on the walls of arteries, creating obstructive plaques and contributing to the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Pectin works by binding to bile in the intestines; bile is a substance that breaks down fat so that it can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

By inhibiting the breakdown of digestive fat, apple pectin may aid in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol), although it is unlikely to do so on its own.

Diabetes

Pectin can also reduce blood sugar by binding to carbohydrates in the stomach and intestine. This helps prevent carbs from being broken down into their constituent sugars, namely glucose, fructose, and galactose.

A 2016 review from Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) reported that apple pectin, taken in doses of 500 milligrams (mg) to 1,000 mg, offered minimum to no benefit in reducing blood sugar after eating 65 grams of carbohydrate. No changes in insulin response were noted compared to a placebo. 

By contrast, pectin derived from soybeans appears to have a greater effect on blood glucose levels, albeit not enough to control diabetes on its own.

Cancer

Alternative practitioners often tout apple pectin as a cancer-fighting supplement due to its ability to bind to an enzyme called beta-glucuronidase (β-glucuronidase) in the intestines. The enzyme is a byproduct of fecal bacteria and is closely associated with colon cancer.

A 2013 review in Frontiers of Pharmacology confirmed that apple pectin was, in fact, effective in suppressing β-glucuronidase in test-tube studies. Studies on rats and mice also suggest a preventive benefit. Despite the positive findings, there is no evidence that such a response can be achieved in humans. 

Unlike MCP, which is readily absorbed in the intestine, the absorption of apple pectin is minimal, making its cancer-fighting properties improbable at best.

By contrast, MCP has been shown to decrease the risk of metastasis (spread of cancer) in mice by preventing the formation of new blood vessels that «feed» cancer tumors. As such, the inhibitory action of MCP occurs in the bloodstream rather than within the intestine, where apple pectin works.

Possible Side Effects

Apple pectin is generally safe to consume, although it may cause side effects such as:

The side effects tend to be mild and can usually be relieved by reducing the dose.

Pectin can interfere with certain substances. It is known to decrease the absorption of beta-carotene, an important antioxidant found in colorful plants and fruits. The inadequate intake of beta-carotene can lead to vitamin A deficiency manifesting with symptoms such as dry skin, dry eyes, night blindness, impaired fertility, and an increased risk of throat and chest infection.

Pectin can also interfere with the absorption of certain pharmaceutical drugs, including:

To avoid interactions, let your healthcare provider know if you are using apple pectin, prescription drugs, or over-the-counter medications.

Dosage and Preparation

Apple pectin supplements can be found online as well as in many natural food shops and stores specializing in dietary supplements. Most are sold either in capsule form or as a powder that you can mix with water or juice.

There are no guidelines for the appropriate use of apple pectin, although most manufacturers typically recommend a daily dose of between 1,000 to 1,400 mg per day. It is best taken 30 minutes before a meal so that it will be available to bind with excess water, fat, or carbohydrates in the intestine.

Start with half doses of apple pectin for the first few weeks, gradually increasing them as tolerated. The excess use of pectin can cause diarrhea, particularly in the early stages of treatment.

Dosages of between 350 and 750 mg, taken in split doses, have been used safely in children. Speak with your pediatrician before using apple pectin (or any other antidiarrheal remedy) in children.

What to Look For

Dietary supplements are not strictly regulated in the United States, making it difficult to know which are good or not-so-good. One way to tell is to look for brands that have been certified organic by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). These are less likely to have been exposed to pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and other harmful substances.

You should also opt for brands that have been voluntarily submitted for testing by an independent certifying body like the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), ConsumerLab, or NSF International. In this way, you can be assured that the supplement contains the ingredients listed on the product label in the correct amounts.

Apple pectin can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container. Never use a supplement past its expiration date. Discard any supplement that is water-damaged or any powder that is clumpy or gelled.

Other Questions

What are some good sources of pectin besides apples and supplements?
Apples are well-known for containing pectin, but it can be found in many other plant-based foods as well.

Foods naturally high in pectin include:

• Apples
• Apricots
• Beets
• Carrots
• Cherries
• Citrus
• Citrus peels
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Potatoes
• Pears
• Sweet potatoes

Eating these foods can improve digestion by increasing your intake of soluble fiber. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) recommends between 2,240 mg and 3,080 mg of dietary fiber per day for American adults. 

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