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Pectin

Pectin is a structural heteropolysaccharide and is a type of fiber that is found in cell walls and tissues in plants. Its physical appearance is commonly white or light brown powder. It mainly comes from citrus fruits and is what makes a jam jelly, it is a gelling agent and it is also used as a stabilizer for fruit juices and milk beverages. The amount of pectin varies from plant to plant and apples contain the highest amount among these sources.

When used as a dietary fiber it can provide a variety of health benefits. If you want to go all natural a great source will be the skin or pulp of the apple and if that would be too tasking, supplementation is always available. Aside from being a great source of health benefits, it also has one specific function that could interest a totally different market and that is the weight loss market.

Weight Loss

There is nothing better than losing weight the natural way when it comes to gaining better control of your health. That is the main reason why so many products are out there today that aids in that process. Many of the natural products and have been used in herbal medicine for hundreds of years already and Apple Pectin is not any different in that sense. It is all natural and comes from what we already know and maybe even love, apples. The way pectin is able to influence healthy weight loss is because of its ability to maintain a healthy balance in the colon.

It acts like a broom sweeping excess chemicals from the body through regular bowel movements, excess chemicals like fats and cholesterols. Another way it is able to help like most fiber compounds does, it helps the stomach feel fuller longer since it gradually moves food through the digestive tract to allow better nutrient absorption and the way it is able to do that is by expanding within the stomach, hence the feeling of satiety.

Soluble Fiber for Better Cholesterol Levels

Aside from the weight loss benefits that a fiber can provide it also has been linked to lowered cholesterol levels. In this case, apple pectin is a soluble fiber which is the kind of fiber that can disperse or spread in water. Soluble fiber has been shown in studies to lower cholesterol by reducing the amount of it absorbed in the intestines. It may be a cliché but I’ll say it anyway, we have all heard about the saying “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”, well in this case it is more like keeps the cholesterol away.

Literally, because of the pectin content in apples, it really will keep a lot of cholesterol away. Although it may take a lot more than just one apple a day, the fact still remains that Apple Pectin can definitely help in cholesterol levels, and there also is evidence that it does not only lower down LDL which is the bad cholesterol, it also has the ability to increase HDL which is the good cholesterol in our bodies.

Lose weight and maintain good cholesterol with natural apple pectin fiber. 

-Darrell Miller, VitaNet, LLC

Is Pomegranate Juice Good for You?

If you want the short answer to the question “is pomegranate juice good for you?”, then YES, it is! If we are talking about wholesome beverages, they don’t get a lot healthier than fresh pomegranate juice. When compared with red wine, green tea and acai berry juice among others, pomegranate juice possesses a lot more antioxidants. So what does this mean exactly?… well supplementing around 8 oz. of pomegranate juice into your diet daily can significantly enhance your health and wellness in a number of various ways.

Influence on Cholesterol
In accordance with MayoClinic.com, it’s unclear how helpful pomegranate juice is for lowering cholesterol. Even So, it does promote a reduced rate of cholesterol build-ups in blood vessels, which in turn lowers our chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Make certain to consult with your physician before including pomegranate juice into your routine if you suffer with high cholesterol levels or some other medical problem, because it may interact with some medicines.

Heart Protection
Heart disease is the number one source of death in the USA, killing more individuals than pneumonia, cancer, diabetes and accidents combined, based on a 2008 statement by The Presbyterian Hospital of New York. Pomegranate juice can help keep our hearts healthy and prevent possible heart related illnesses. Scientists at the Sapienza University in Rome, reported in the April 2009 publication of the “Journal of Medicinal Food,” that antioxidants called tannins in pomegranate juice help to prevent blood clotting and, which decreases cardiovascular events like heart attacks.

Lowering Blood Pressure
A different heart health benefit of pomegranate juice is its ability to lower blood pressure. Together with high cholesterol levels, hypertension is also a key risk factor for the development of heart disease. The June 2010 publication of “Phytotherapy Research” points out that a protein within the blood called angiotensin II causes blood vessels to constrict, and this increases blood pressure levels. When scientists in India tested the effects of pomegranate juice in rodents they discovered that it lowered blood pressure levels by blocking the action and production of angiotensin. The final results of this study were released in the June 2010 publication of “Phytotherapy Research.”

Diabetes Regulation
Pomegranate juice features some very powerful antioxidants referred to as oleanolic, gallic and ursolic acid. These acids are documented in the June 2007 publication of the “Journal of Medicinal Food” for being predominantly accountable for the anti-diabetic effects of pomegranate juice. These acids not only help with blood sugar regulation and defend us from diabetes, they also help protect diabetes sufferers from developing some of the problems which arise from diabetes, like neural damage and neuropathy.

Cancer Prevention
Some of the most amazing news to come out of pomegranate juice studies is its capacity to help prevent cancers. The Nov. 2009 publication of “Nutrition and Cancer” featured an evaluation by V.M. Adhami at the Dermatology Department at Wisconsin University. This review, which is focused on scientific study of pomegranate juice, states that the antioxidant qualities of pomegranate juice ends the growth of lung, colon, and breast cancer cells; animal studies which included consuming pomegranate juice demonstrated that together with those kinds of cancer cells, also inhibited the growth of prostate and skin cancer cells. The antioxidants in pomegranate juice, which seem to have the anticancer effects, are flavonoids and tannins.

Slowing Osteoarthritis
Pomegranate juice might prove helpful as a natural remedy for the kind of arthritis that develops from the deterioration of bone and cartilage. A study which analyzed the strength of pomegranate extract at fighting osteoarthritis discovered that this fruit’s flavonol antioxidants may slow down joint deterioration by preserving cartilage.

Drug Interactions
Pomegranate juice could cause an interaction with specific medications. If you consume blood pressure medications, statin medications or ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril, you need to consult with your physician before including pomegranate juice into your diet.