Why is pectin bad for you

One may also ask, why is Apple Pectin good for you? Apple pectin is a type of soluble fiber found naturally in apples. The 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. Here are 10 promising benefits and uses of apple pectin.

May promote gut health. May aid weight loss. May control blood sugar. May aid heart health. May relieve diarrhea and constipation.

May enhance iron absorption. May improve acid reflux. May strengthen hair and skin. Plus, they're full of pectin , a type of soluble fiber that can act as a laxative. One study showed that pectin was able to speed up transit time in the colon.

It also acted as a prebiotic by increasing the amount of beneficial bacteria in the gut to promote digestive health Pectin is a fiber found in fruits.

People use pectin for high cholesterol, high triglycerides, and to prevent colon cancer and prostate cancer. It is also used for diabetes and gastroesophageal reflux disease GERD. The results suggest that sustained pectin ingestion slows the gastric-emptying rate and improves glucose tolerance, making it a viable natural aid for diabetes symptoms.

Pectin is a water-soluble complex carbohydrate that serves as a fat-burning food. Because the consistency is gum-like or gel-like, when you eat fresh fruits or veggies with pectin, the cells absorb it instead of the fat. It also helps you feel full longer. A study conducted at Wageningen University in the Netherlands evaluated the effects of pectin supplements on 29 participants. The results suggest that gelled pectin, in particular, was able to reduce appetite, increase energy and lower insulin responses.

A study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition tested the hypothesis that pectin increases satiety for 49 male and 25 female U.

Army employees within normal weight limits. On days one and two of the study, the participants fasted overnight and were then given orange juice followed by ice cream four hours later.

Satiety was measured on a visual analog scale before and after orange juice and then again after ice cream. When orange pectin was added to the orange juice, the participants felt more satisfied for up to four hours. They also reported feeling more satisfied for up to 60 minutes after a meal with ice cream.

This suggests that pectin, in doses as small as five grams mixed with orange juice, increases satiety and can aid in a program to lose weight fast by limiting food intake. Because the structure of pectin has a gelling mechanism , it is able to bind to heavy metals including lead and mercury as it moves through the GI tract and eliminate them from the body through stool.

Since the 18th century, jams and jellies have been made with gelling pectin — particularly apple, currant and quince jams. The jell substance was first isolated in when it was discovered as a key element of jams and jellies. After its discovery, pectin-rich fruits were added to fruits with less pectin, like strawberries and gooseberries, in order to speed up the jam-making process.

The colonists in New England commonly made their own pectin by extracting it from apple peelings. Years later, during the Industrialization Age, the makers of fruit preserves soon turned to producers of apple juice to obtain dried apple pomace that was cooked to extract it. By the s and s, factories were built to commercially extract pectin from crushed dried apple and citrus-peel. Pectin is available as an extract and powder at most grocery and health food stores.

It can be taken by mouth in capsule form. You can find capsules or pectin powder in health food stores or online. To use the powder, simply dissolve it in liquid and take it on an empty stomach. Studies show that pectin doses of 10—20 grams a day may help to control diarrhea. Some studies show that taking up to 60 grams of modified citrus pectin per day may help to promote detoxification and improve cholesterol levels.

Although it is available in capsule and powder forms for therapeutic purposes, keep in mind that all fruits are made up of at least 5 percent to 10 percent of this fiber. Nutrition-packed apples, peaches, oranges, blackberries, grapes, grapefruit and apricots contain the highest amount among fruits. Carrots, tomatoes, potatoes and peas are also high in this compound. Just by eating these healthy and delicious foods, you reap the benefits of pectin. Apple pectin may help lower cholesterol, according to a study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

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. 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 review from Food Standards Australia New Zealand FSANZ reported that apple pectin, taken in doses of milligrams mg to 1, 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. The enzyme is a byproduct of fecal bacteria and is closely associated with colon cancer. 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. 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. 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, to 1, 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 and mg, taken in split doses, have been used safely in children.

However, more research in humans is needed to better understand how pectin affects blood sugar and fat levels. In test-tube studies, pectin has killed colon cancer cells 19 , In addition, this fiber helps decrease inflammation and cellular damage that can trigger colon cancer cell formation — thereby reducing the risk of colon cancer Researchers theorize that pectin can decrease colon cancer risk by binding with and inhibiting the absorption of galectin-3, high levels of which are associated with an increased risk of colon cancer 22 , Test-tube studies have also shown that pectin killed other types of cancer cells, including breast, liver, stomach, and lung cancer cells 24 , 25 , In human studies, increased fiber intake has been linked to a decreased risk of overweight and obesity.

Additionally, animal studies have demonstrated that pectin supplements promoted weight loss and fat burn in rats with obesity 17 , 29 , 30 , Specifically, one study in rats found that pectin promoted fullness and decreased calorie intake to a greater extent than a high protein diet.

Similar studies have noted that pectin increased the levels of satiety — or fullness — hormones in mice 32 , 33 , Soluble fibers turn into gel in your digestive tract in the presence of water. As such, they soften the stool and speed the transit time of material through the digestive tract, reducing constipation Also, soluble fiber is a prebiotic — a food source for the healthy bacteria living in your gut In a 4-week study in 80 people with slow-transit constipation, those who consumed 24 grams of pectin daily had higher populations of healthy bacteria in their gut and fewer symptoms of constipation than a control group Additionally, some animal studies have revealed that these supplements improve the health of gut bacteria, which can decrease inflammation and improve gastrointestinal symptoms 17 , 32 , Furthermore, this unique fiber may form a protective barrier around the gut lining to prevent harmful bacteria from entering your body 1.

Pectin may improve blood sugar and blood fat levels, kill cancer cells, promote a healthy weight, and improve digestion. However, more research in humans is needed. Moreover, you should avoid it if you are allergic to the food it was sourced from. Most commercial products and supplements are made from apples or citrus peels. Pectin supplements may cause gas or bloating in some people.