Pectin - Nature Cures®

Table of Contents

Pectin is a structural non-cellulose polysaccharide found in the cell walls of plants and fruits. Pectinase is the enzyme that breaks down pectin in fruits and vegetables leading to weakening of the cell wall which releases nutrients and allows them to be absorbed by the body. When this process happens during ripening, it makes fruits and vegetables softer. Pectinase is often fed to livestock to help them digest food better.

Pectin helps the human body by acting as a soluble fibre that can improve digestion, lower cholesterol and blood sugar and help with obesity. It does this by slowing down gastric emptying and absorbing water to help with bowel movements which can relieve constipation.

Pectin also binds to cholesterol in the intestines, which can lead to reduced absorption of both cholesterol and glucose. It can also help treat acid reflux and acts as a prebiotic which supports the beneficial bacteria in the guts. This has a huge amount of health benefits which are listed here>> Feed your friendly bacteria

Pectin and radiation

Pectin acts as a natural chelating agent, which is a compound that has an affinity for other molecules and has the ability to bind to radioactive residues and remove them from the body. Chelating agents bind to other compounds, dragging them out of tissues or the bloodstream, so they can be removed from the body in urine or faeces.

For more information about radiation and how to remove radioactive residues see>> Cancer

Pectin and heavy metals

Pectin is also able to bind to heavy metals like lead and mercury and stop them being absorbed by the body. Therefore, citrus fruit peel is a useful addition to the diet when consuming fish that is often contaminated by mercury.

Natural sources of pectin in alphabetical order

Apple skins (barely ripe)
Apricots
Baobab fruit
Carrots
Chilli peppers
Gooseberries
Grapefruit peel
Guavas
Lemon peel
Orange peel
Mango
Papaya
Passion fruit
Plums
Quince
Sugar beet pulp
Tangerine peel

NOTE 1: Pectin is found in the skins of barely ripe fruits and vegetables. The richest sources are apples, carrots and citrus fruit peel. The riper the fruit the less pectin is available.

NOTE 2: Too much pectin in the diet can cause side effects such as abdominal cramps and diarrhoea and may interfere with the absorption of some types of supplements.

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