The Health Benefits of Apple Pectin

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.

Apples, apricots, and the peels of citrus fruit offer the highest concentration of pectin, although it can be found in many other plant-based foods.

Pectin is a type of acid found in the cell wall of plants and is mainly composed of a sugar acid known as galacturonic acid. Pectin cannot be digested in its natural form and must be altered in the lab so that it can be absorbed in the intestine.

Modified citrus pectin supplements are most commonly found on drugstore shelves, but there are also apple pectin supplements that offer similar benefits. Many of these benefits are achieved when pectin mixes with water in the intestine and forms a gel-like substance, easing bowel movements.

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

• Colon cancer
• Constipation
• Diabetes 
• Diarrhea 
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• High cholesterol
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) 
• Metabolic syndrome 
• Ulcerative colitis

Here is some of what the current body of research says:

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 from six months to six years of age were given either an inactive placebo or a combination of apple pectin and chamomile during an acute bout of diarrhea. According to the investigators, children treated with pectin and chamomile experienced greater improvement in symptoms compared to those that weren't.

Similarly, a 2014 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.

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, the substance of which breaks down fat so that it can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

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

A 2016 review of studies 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 appear to have a greater effect on blood glucose levels (albeit not enough to control diabetes on its own).

Alternative practitioners will 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 suggested a preventive benefit. Despite the positive findings, there is no evidence that such a response can be achieved in humans.

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 diarrhea, gas, and stomach cramps. 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 and 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:

• Digoxin
• Mevacor (lovastatin)
• Tetracycline antibiotics

To avoid interactions, let your doctor know if you are using apple pectin as well as any other prescription or non-prescription drugs you may be taking.

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 mg 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.

Dosages of between 350 mg 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.

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 of any supplement that is water-damaged or any powder that is clumpy or gelled.

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.