Is apple pectin good for you?

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is an old Welsh proverb that you’ve probably heard hundreds of times, but have you ever wondered why apples are so good for you? Apples are very rich in flavenoids, phytonutrients that are found in plant based foods, as well as other antioxidants. Both may help to reduce your risk of developing cancer, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. In fact, Medical News Today ranked apples first among the top 10 healthy foods.

But, apples also contain another compound that has important health benefits — apple pectin. What is apple pectin? Apple pectin is a complex carbohydrate in the form of a soluble fiber that’s found in the walls of the apple’s cells. There are many health benefits that are associated with pectins in general, but apple pectin has some added health benefits.

Uses

The primary use of apple pectin is to promote good digestive health. Because of its high fiber content, apple pectin is used to help regulate bowel movements by helping to firm your stools and reduce the inflammation in your bowels that’s associated with diarrhea. Apple pectin has also been used as a natural remedy to aid in the treatment of irritable bowel disease (IBS), colitis, and other related digestive disorders.

Apple pectin has also been shown to help with your heart health. Studies have shown that it may help to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels and may play an important role in reducing your risk for type 2 diabetes. Apple pectin helps in slowing down the digestion of sugars and fats which helps in controlling blood-sugar levels.

Apple pectin has also been shown to naturally fight cancer. A research team at the Institute of Food Research in England found a substance in apple pectin that binds to a tumor-producing protein, galectin 3. Galectin 3 makes it possible for cancer cells to break away from tumors and reattach somewhere else in the body. By blocking the activity of galectin 3, apple pectin may help to prevent the spread of cancer to other sites in your body. Other research has demonstrated the role of apple pectin in fighting prostate, lung, and colon cancers.

Consuming more pectin

It’s very clear that apples deserve the title of “miracle food” due to the numerous benefits that they provide to your overall health. They contain important nutrients that are good for you such as vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, phytonutrients, minerals such as calcium, potassium, and phosphorus, and the all-important dietary fiber, apple pectin.

Vibrant Nutraceuticals has made it easy to get more apple pectin into your diet. Clarifiber is a liquid fiber supplement with apple pectin and other natural sources of dietary fiber. It’s a flavor-free, pre-mixed liquid that you can add to any food or drink. A one ounce serving of Clarifiber contain 14 grams of dietary fiber that’s 100% naturally sourced.

If you’re looking for supplements with apple pectin, Clarifiber is grit free, flavor-free, gluten-free, and contains FOS prebiotics to aid in digestion.