What Is Pectin – Is It Vegan?
Are you suffering from obesity and high cholesterol? Have you been diagnosed with colon cancer or diabetes? Or are you simply looking to prevent occurrence of chronic diseases?
It is of paramount importance to implement a proper diet that would contain dietary fiber including pectin.
In this article, we will explain what pectin is, if it is vegan and what it is used for.
What Is Dietary Fiber?
Dietary fibers originate from the cell walls of plants. There are seven basic non-starch classifications of fiber: pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose, modified cellulose, mucilage, gum, pectin, algae polysaccharides
Fiber is divided into two groups: fiber soluble in water and fiber insoluble in water
The first group of fiber slows down the passage of food through the digestive tract. It leaves a longer feeling of satiety and participates in the regulation of cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
Water insoluble fiber enters and leaves the digestive tract almost unchanged, increasing the volume of the stool and stimulating intestinal peristalsis. Thus, it participates in preventing colon cancer.
Pectin – Is It Vegan?
Pectin is a non-starch dietary fiber, soluble in water with the ability to form a gel. And yes, pectin is vegan because it is found in plants only. As such, it makes an excellent substitution for gelatin in recipes.
The sources of pectin are: apple, oranges, quince fruit, citrus fruit, pear, plums, apricots, cherries, bananas, beets, carrots.
Why Is Pectin Important?
- It slows food absorption which makes it important in prevention of diabetes
- Participates in regulation of cholesterol
- Helps lower sugar level in blood
- Helps remove toxins from organism
- Valuable in a reduction diet
- Reduces the risk of heart disease
What Is Pectin Used For?
Because of its ability to form gels, it is mostly used in the food and pharmaceutical industry but also in cosmetics.
- In the food industry, pectin is mostly used in marmalades and jams, jellies, gummy candies, frozen foods, and as a fat or sugar substitute in some low-calorie foods.
- In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used to reduce cholesterol, gastrointestinal disorders, colon cancer, diabetes.
- In cosmetics, pectin is used in skin and hair products like conditioners, moisturizers, gels
Pectin vs. Gelatin
Although they are both gelling agents, these are the two different substances and they mostly differ in their origin and structure.
- pectin is extracted from plants, gelatin is derived from collagen, animal origin.
- Pectin is vegan, gelatin isn’t
- Pectin activation requires high temperature, gelatin is activated at low temperature
- Pectin is rich in fiber and gelatin is rich in protein
Final Thoughts
Pectin is a vegan friendly dietary fiber used for its gelling abilities primarily in food and pharmaceutical industries.
It plays an important role in prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and colon cancer.
Use it in marmalades and jams but don’t forget your daily intake of fruit and vegetables rich in pectin like apples, pears, bananas, cherries, carrots, beets.