Apple pectin is a natural chemical compound that is found in apples. Primarily consisting of soluble fiber, pectin starts out as protopectin, which is a compound found in unripe fruits. Pectin is actually considered to be a carbohydrate which is made of several sugar molecules bonded into one.
As it ripens, protopectin becomes pectin. In fruits reaches an overripe stage, pectin becomes pectic acid, which is not beneficial in the way that pectin is. While other fruits also contain pectin, very ripe apples happen to have an extremely high concentration in their skins. Surprisingly however, Apple pectin is found in other fruits as well such as peaches, currants, and plums; though raw apples are the richest in apple pectin.
Since this source of nutrition is considered so beneficial, supplements are available. The benefits and uses of apple pectin are described in detail below.
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Apple Pectin Benefits While most people know it as something to help their preserves set, apple pectin is also beneficial to your health. Apple Pectin and Cholesterol While many studies are still being pursued the one are where apple pectin has been proven most effective in is lowe... more
While most people know it as something to help their preserves set, apple pectin is also beneficial to your health.
While many studies are still being pursued the one are where apple pectin has been proven most effective in is lowering cholesterol. However, the anecdotal evidence for it means it is still used for a variety of other purposes.
For example, apple pectin is used to help regulate high blood pressure. While many people eat apples for the benefits of the pectin inside, others prefer to take apple pectin supplements. These supplements can be found at most grocery stores as well as health food stores. Take a look at the numerous other uses of this nutrient.
Health wise, Apple pectin is used primarily to treat digestive disorders. High in fiber, it is beneficial in helping to regulate bowel movements. In fact, people suffering from diarrhea take apple pectin to make their stool firmer and cure inflammation. However, in 2003 the FDA announced that there was not enough evidence to support the claim that pectin helps diarrhea.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, it's also excellent for people suffering from constipation. Taking pectin supplements on a regular basis helps to regulate the digestive system.
Additionally, apple pectin helps to treat colitis, which includes diarrhea, inflammation, fever, and even weight loss. Eating foods that are high in fiber can help to treat the symptoms of colitis by increasing the activity in the upper and lower intestines. By increasing this activity, symptoms are decreased or abated. Physicians recommend utilizing apple pectin as a way to manage several intestinal issues. As mentioned earlier, apple pectin also helps prevent disorders in the bowels.
Apple pectin has other benefits as well. Because it is an antioxidant rich food, it helps to lower cholesterol, maintain a healthy cholesterol level, reduce the chances of diabetes, reduce cancer risk, as well as help those who have diabetes to manage their illness.
Recent Japanese research suggests that apple pectin can help greatly reduce the risk of colon cancer specifically. Individuals can include apple pectin as a part of a healthy diet. It is even used to treat digestive problems in cats, much the same way it is used to treat humans.
Generally speaking, apple pectin is also used as an all-purpose dietary supplement. Apple pectin helps individuals sustain overall good health, and physicians and other health professionals might prescribe it to treat an ongoing, chronic condition. In fact, both young and old alike can reap the benefits of apple pectin. However, it is equally important to consult a physician if you have an ongoing, undiagnosed condition such as constant diarrhea, chronic constipation or stomach pain, or any other continuous gastrointestinal issues.
Dietary cleansing is just one use of apple pectin. Dietary cleansing is a weight loss method in which supplements are used; they may be synthetic, or they may be natural like apple pectin. Cleansing can also be used for other ailments as well. These include:
Using apple pectin to cleanse may be part of a weekly or monthly cleansing plan.
If you are using apple pectin to lower high cholesterol then WebMD recommends 15 grams per day. Other general indications recommend taking 2 pills of 700 milligrams each one to three times daily with plenty of water. The pills should be taken about half an hour prior to eating. And anyone taking apple pectin should be certain to drink plenty of water.
If you are taking antibiotics or other medications you should talk to your doctor. Both Digoxin and Logastatin can interact. By taking altering dosage times you may be able to avoid the interactions. Be cautious and talk to your doctor if you take any of the above medications.
By itself, ingested apple pectin does not produce any know side effects and is considered safe. However, if it is take with guar gum or soluble fiber side effects like gas, loose bowel movements and diarrhea have been reported.
Scientific evidence mainly supports the use of apple pectin for lowering cholesterol at this point in time. However, it still remains popular for use as a dietary cleanser and it helping with overall digestive help.
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Apple Pectin, Citrus Pectin, Fruit Pectin, Grapefruit Pectin, Lemon Pectin, MCP, Modified Citrus Pectin, Pectina, Pectine, Pectinic Acid. |
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