Fruit Pectin and Grape Juice for Arthritis: What We Know

Author: Thomas C. Weiss
Published: 12 Jan 2016 - Updated: 8 Nov 2026
Publication Type: Informative

Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content

Synopsis

This information looks at the popular home remedy of drinking fruit pectin, often the jam-making product Certo, mixed with grape juice to ease arthritis pain. It explains what pectin is, gives an overview of arthritis and its main types, and sets out what the evidence shows: no human clinical trials have tested the remedy, and the Arthritis Foundation counts it among arthritis food myths. It also covers the downsides, such as the sugar in grape juice, and clears up a common worry about sodium benzoate and benzene. The information helps people with arthritis, many of them seniors, make informed choices and points them to treatments with better support.*

At a Glance

• 1 - Pectin is richest in citrus peel and apples.
• 2 - There is no recommended dose of pectin for arthritis.
• 3 - Grapefruit juice, unlike grape juice, can interact with some medicines used for arthritis.
• 4 - Many people who try the remedy feel better, which may reflect the natural ups and downs of arthritis or the placebo effect.

Topic Definition

Pectin

Pectin is a soluble dietary fiber found in the cell walls of fruits and vegetables, especially citrus peel and apples. When heated with sugar and acid it forms a gel, which is why it is widely used to set jams and jellies and to thicken and stabilize foods and drinks. In the body it acts as a fiber, adding bulk and slowing digestion, though it has no proven effect on arthritis.

Overview

What Is Fruit Pectin?

Pectin is a natural soluble fiber found in the cell walls of fruits and vegetables. It is especially rich in citrus peel and apples, and it is made commercially as a white to light brown powder or a liquid, mostly from citrus peel and apple pulp. In food it is used as a gelling agent in jams and jellies, as a thickener and stabilizer in drinks and desserts, and as a source of dietary fiber. Pectin is a normal part of the diet, though it adds little in the way of vitamins or calories.

Arthritis Basics

Arthritis is a group of more than 100 conditions that cause pain, stiffness and often swelling in the joints. About 21.2% of U.S. adults, or 53.2 million people, have been diagnosed with arthritis [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2023]. The most common type is osteoarthritis, which develops as joint cartilage breaks down over time, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the lining of the joints. Treatment depends on the type and can include exercise, physical therapy, weight management, pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medicines and, for inflammatory arthritis, disease-modifying drugs prescribed by a rheumatologist.

The Pectin and Grape Juice Home Remedy

A popular home remedy for arthritis pain involves stirring liquid fruit pectin, such as the jam-making product Certo, into grape juice and drinking it every day. Versions of the recipe call for a spoonful or so of pectin in a glass of purple grape juice, and some people use apple or pomegranate juice instead. Many people who try it say their joints feel better, and the remedy has been shared widely by word of mouth, in magazines and online.

What Does the Evidence Say?

There is no good scientific evidence that pectin, or pectin mixed with grape juice, relieves arthritis pain or inflammation. The Arthritis Foundation lists the pectin and grape juice remedy among common arthritis food myths and says there is no scientific evidence that it works, although pectin, as a dietary fiber, does have other health benefits [Arthritis Foundation, n.d.]. No human clinical trials have tested the remedy. Some laboratory and animal studies have looked at compounds from grapes, such as grape seed extract, but those results cannot be applied to people drinking pectin in juice. Any relief people notice may come from the natural ups and downs of arthritis pain or from the placebo effect.

Possible Downsides

The remedy is unlikely to cause harm for most people in small amounts, but it has drawbacks. Grape juice is high in natural sugar, and many ready-made juices also contain added sugar, so a daily glass adds calories and can raise blood sugar, which matters for people with diabetes or those managing their weight. Extra fiber can cause bloating or gas, and there is no recommended dose of pectin for arthritis. Grape juice should also not be confused with grapefruit juice, which can interact with some medicines, including some used for arthritis [Arthritis Foundation, n.d.].

Some liquid pectin products contain the preservative sodium benzoate. In some beverages, benzoate can react with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) to form very small amounts of benzene, especially when exposed to heat and light. After testing soft drinks and other beverages, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration concluded that the levels of benzene found do not pose a safety concern for consumers [U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2007].

Better-Supported Ways to Ease Arthritis Pain

• Regular, gentle physical activity such as walking, swimming, cycling or tai chi.
• Losing excess weight, which reduces strain on the knees and hips.
• Physical or occupational therapy and aids such as braces and canes.
• Heat or cold packs and good sleep habits.
• Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medicines used as advised by a doctor or pharmacist.
• A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fish, which supports overall health.

If you want to try a home remedy, talk to your doctor or pharmacist first, especially if you take medicines for arthritis, diabetes or heart disease, and do not stop any prescribed treatment.

More on this topic: Fruits and Vegetables Publications - Arthritis Publications - Home Remedies Publications

Frequently Asked Questions

NOTE: Researched FAQs by Disabled World (DW)

Is Certo safe to drink every day?

Small amounts of liquid pectin are generally considered safe for most people, but it adds fiber that can cause bloating, and the grape juice it is mixed with adds sugar.

Can people with diabetes try the pectin and grape juice remedy?

People with diabetes should talk to their doctor first, because a daily glass of grape juice can raise blood sugar and affect diabetes control.

Does pectin lower cholesterol?

Soluble fibers such as pectin can help lower LDL cholesterol modestly as part of a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Does tart cherry juice help arthritis?

Some small studies suggest tart cherry products may ease gout flares or osteoarthritis symptoms, but the evidence is limited and more research is needed.

What foods may help with inflammation?

Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, olive oil, nuts and oily fish, such as the Mediterranean diet, are linked with lower inflammation.

Can I take pectin supplements instead of Certo?

Pectin supplements exist, but like Certo they have no proven benefit for arthritis, so speak to a pharmacist before taking them.

Should I stop my arthritis medicine if a home remedy helps?

No. Never stop prescribed treatment without talking to your doctor, as some types of arthritis can worsen quickly without medicine.

Is grape juice better than wine for joint health?

Grape juice contains some of the same plant compounds as red wine without the alcohol, but neither has been shown to treat arthritis.

References

• Arthritis Foundation. (n.d.). 10 arthritis food myths.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Prevalence of diagnosed arthritis - United States, 2019 - 2021. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(41), 1101 - 1107.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2007). Questions and answers on the occurrence of benzene in soft drinks and other beverages.

Insights, Analysis, and Developments

Editorial Note: Home remedies stay popular because arthritis pain is common, long-lasting and often only partly eased by medicine, and a cheap drink from the grocery store feels worth trying. The pectin and grape juice mix is unlikely to cause harm for most people in small amounts, but the extra sugar adds up over time, and it should never replace treatments that protect the joints, especially for inflammatory types such as rheumatoid arthritis, where delays can lead to permanent damage. Talking with a doctor, pharmacist or dietitian before trying any remedy helps people with arthritis, diabetes or other conditions avoid interactions and choose the approaches most likely to help.*

Author Credentials: Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses earning a Masters, Bachelors and two Associate degrees, as well as pursuing Disability Studies. As a CNA Thomas has provided care for people with all forms of disabilities. Explore Thomas' complete biography for comprehensive insights into his background, expertise, and accomplishments.

* Editorial additions by Ian C. Langtree.