Tag: Low sugar jams

Pectin, a natural fiber found in the cell walls of fruits and vegetables, makes up to 35-40% of the primary cell wall in some plants. Its primary responsibilities include acting as a powerful gelling agent, a versatile stabilizer, and a crucial thickener in many food and industrial applications.

While often paired with sugar in jam recipes, pectin is not a simple sugar but rather a complex carbohydrate known as a polysaccharide. This distinction is crucial for understanding its role in food science and nutrition, especially for those monitoring their sugar intake.

A single tablespoon of regular fruit jam contains an average of 56 calories, almost entirely from sugar. This raises a key question for those watching their diet: **Is jam a lot of calories?** The answer depends heavily on the type and serving size, which is critical for mindful consumption.

Many people are surprised to learn that while chemically made of sugar units, pure fruit pectin is a form of soluble dietary fiber, not a simple sugar that raises blood glucose levels. This distinction is key to understanding the nuanced answer to the question, 'Does fruit pectin have sugar in it?'.