Apple Pectin supplement health benefit by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Apple pectin is a water-soluble fiber, helpful in removing cholesterol out of the intestines and delaying glucose absorption. Pectin is one of the compounds that act as a substrate for the production of short chain fatty acids that help maintain a healthy colonic mucosa. Although present in the cell walls of most plants apple pomace and orange peel are the two major sources of commercial pectin due to the poor gelling behavior of pectin from other sources.
   Pectin is an important polysaccharide with applications in foods, pharmaceuticals, and a number of other industries. Its importance in the food sector lies in its ability to form gel. In the food industry, pectin is used in jams, jellies, frozen foods, and in low-calorie foods as a fat and/or sugar replacer. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used to reduce blood cholesterol levels and gastrointestinal disorders.

Benefit of apple consumption
An apple a day - A comprehensive review in the July 2011 issue of the journal Advances in Nutrition links consumption of apples to a reduced risk of several forms of cancer, heart and blood vessel disease, and asthma. Eating apples may also have beneficial effects on Alzheimer’s disease, mental decline of normal aging, diabetes, weight management, and bone health.

Other types of pectin
Modified citrus pectin supplement is another example of a healthy fiber. You can purchase modified citrus pectin supplements or psyllium fiber.

Apple pectin and cancer
Apple pectin feeding to rats decreases fecal beta-glucosidase and tryptophanase levels and reduces the incidence of colon tumors.

Pectin and cholesterol
The addition of pectin to one's diet results in increased cholesterol excretion in stools and a lowering of cholesterol in the blood stream.

A Canadian government study that measured the levels of antioxidants in eight varieties of apples found that Red Delicious contain the highest concentrations of the health enhancing chemicals. The skin of Red Delicious apples — the most common variety grown in the United States — contains over six times more antioxidant activity than the flesh. Though antioxidants are believed to help ward off certain diseases, more research is needed to determine whether quantity alone counts. The study did not consider whether antioxidants in some apples may be better absorbed than others. Red Delicious, which account for 27 percent of U.S. apple production, has more than six times the antioxidants as the bottom-ranked Empire variety. Northern Spy was No. 2, followed by Cortland, Ida Red, Golden Delicious, McIntosh and Mutsu. And in every variety tested, the skins of the apples contained substantially higher levels of antioxidants than the flesh. Though apples have significantly lower concentrations of antioxidants than other fruits, especially many berries, year-round availability and greater popularity might make them a better source for many people. In the United States, apples are second only to bananas among popular fruits.