Pectin is a type of sugar that can be found in varying amounts in all plants.

Pectin is a high fiber carbohydrate that is most often used for the preparation of jellies and jams. Since pectin is composed of soluble fiber, it can help digestion and to help the body to lower cholesterol.

Pectin is natural source of health

How to benefit more fully from the health benefits that pectin:

Step 1

Use homemade pectin in your jams. Apples are rich in pectin , but you may need to add pectin to strawberry jam for example. Natural pectin, which is sold with different quality – depending on how much sugar is needed to thicken.

Step 2

Foods rich in pectin, slows absorption of sugar from the body, reducing the risk of sudden jumps in the level of our blood sugar. Apples, especially with fresh green bark preserved, are very rich in pectin.

Step 3

Adjust the work of the intestine using pectin. It is actually a common ingredient in OTC medicines for diarrhea and constipation.

Step 4

Reduce the risk of colon cancer by eating foods rich in pectin. A study from 2010 found that pectin can ease the severity of colon cancer, and drugs wrapped in pectin, reach the colon without dissolving in the stomach, making treatment more effective.

Medical applications of pectin

According to a study conducted in Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan, gelatinous texture of pectin makes it a convenient substance for the manufacture of medicines  against cancer and reduce the risk of metastases. In this study oxidized type of pectin in the gel formed two minutes and keeps the drug to reach the area of cancer and thus allows it to be more effective than it would be, if it is left to be shed. It is also shown that oxidized pectin prevents the formation of metastases by preventing the accumulation of cancer cells.

Colon Cancer

A study published in 2010 shows that pectin reduces the risk of colon cancer. Making environment of the colon less toxic, it leads to reduced DNA damage and reduce the risk of developing cancer.

Cholesterol

A study conducted in 2009 at the University of Wisconsin shows that lowering cholesterol when taken pectin supplementation with polyphenols. The study compares pectin, polyphenols and phytosterols with cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin. Participants received supplements for four weeks, and then were tested levels of blood lipids. LDL (“bad”) cholesterol was reduced by 20% in the group that received pectin and polyphenols compared to 40% reduction of taking the medicine.

Prostate Cancer

A study published in August 2007 said that prostate cancer respond well to nutritional supplements with pectin. The study pectin powder causing apoptosis – programmed cell death in tissues affected by prostate cancer. The researchers note that the heat treatment pectin made 40 times more effective. However, positive results were observed in apple pectin, while that derived from citrus fruits, had little or no effect.