Pectin is a form of soluble fiber that occurs in fruits and vegetables. As a supplement, pectin is mainly derived from apples after they are pressed for juice, and from citrus peels, explains physician Ray Sahelian, who specializes in natural supplements. Grapefruit pectin is commonly provided as a powder made from grapefruit pulp and rinds, and it has a few potential benefits. Consult a qualified health-care provider before taking grapefruit pectin supplements.
Intestinal Health
Grapefruit pectin is an excellent source of water-soluble dietary fiber, a type of fiber that absorbs water in the digestive tract. Soluble fiber adds bulk to stools and softens them, making the stools easier to pass. Soluble fiber is associated with fewer episodes of constipation and increased intestinal health. Some people experience relief from symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome when adding fiber to their diet, according to MayoClinic.com. Fiber also decreases the risk of hemorrhoids and diverticular disease, which involves the development of small pouches in the colon.
Cholesterol Reduction
Soluble fiber in the diet can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association. It modestly lowers low-density lipoprotein, or LDL, cholesterol, the so-called bad cholesterol, more than a diet low in cholesterol and saturated and trans fats by itself. A study published in the September 1988 issue of "Clinical Cardiology" investigated the effects of grapefruit pectin on 27 individuals determined to be at medium-to-high risk for coronary heart disease due to high cholesterol levels, known as hypercholesterolemia. Participants adding grapefruit pectin to the diet without making other dietary or lifestyle changes reduced total cholesterol by over 7 percent and the LDL cholesterol by nearly 11 percent.
Anticancer Effects
The Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology published studies in their "FASEB Journal" in 2008 about the potential anticancer effects of pectin. Certain components of pectin bind to a protein called galectin-3 that seems to facilitate the growth and spread of cancer throughout the body, and pectin may inhibit this protein. Modified forms of pectin show potential for preventing and treating cancer, as modified pectin in a test tube environment kills tumor cells and prevents them from spreading. A study with rats indicated that a diet supplemented with pectin and fish oil suppresses the development of colon cancer.
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