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What Are the Benefits of Fruit Pectin?

Many scientific studies have found that pectin has many health benefits; however, some advantages remain unproven. Pectin is a soluble fiber found in plant cell walls. Apples, citrus peels and many other fruits contain pectin; apples have the highest percentage. Pectin is used as a gelling agent in jams and jellies, as a thickener in fillings and as a stabilizer in juices and yogurts. Pectin may explain the old adage: "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."

  1. Lowers "Bad" Cholesterol

    • Many clinical studies on both humans and animals have shown that pectin, especially apple and citrus pectin, can reduce low-density lipoprotein, or "bad" cholesterol, without reducing high-density lipoprotein, or "good" cholesterol. Several studies published in journals such as the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition have found that dietary pectin may affect bad cholesterol levels.

    Intestinal Health

    • Apple pectin increases beneficial bacteria in the digestive systems of rats fed whole apples, juice and puree, according to a study published in the Jan. 20, 2010 journal of BMC Microbiology. The study's scientists found an increase in butyrate, which is "considered beneficial for gut health," the study says. Another study published in the journal Anaerobe found that apple pectin improves intestinal health in humans.

    Anti-Diarrheal Claims

    • Pectin has been used in products such as Kaopectate to control diarrhea, according to WebMd.com. However, the FDA ruled in 2003 that scientific evidence did not support the use of pectin to relieve diarrhea.

    Cancer Inhibition Claims

    • Some studies of both humans and animals have found that modified citrus pectin (MCP) may inhibit the spread of prostate cancer and melanoma to other organs, according to the American Cancer Society. However, there have been no controlled clinical studies to prove this effect in humans. Modified citrus pectin has been altered so it can be more easily absorbed. The society did say that several animal studies have found that MCP may prevent the spread of prostate, breast and skin cancer by making it difficult for cancer cells to break off from the main tumor and grow in other organs.

    Diabetes Claims

    • A study published in the journal Diabetes Care found diabetes patients did not benefit from a high-pectin diet. Researchers studying patients with diabetes who took pectin with meals found it had little effect on blood glucose levels.

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