Pear is a very delicious fruit that is quite closely related to apples and quinces. The skin of the fruit can be yellow, green, brown or red in color, or even a combination of two or more of these colors. The inside flesh, on the other hand, is white to cream-colored and is very juicy and sweet. The flesh surrounds a core that comprises of seeds. Pears have a large, round bottom, which narrows down as we move towards its topmost portion. The fruit comes in large number of varieties, differing in terms of size, shape, color, taste and storage qualities. In the following lines, we have provided health and nutrition benefits of pears.
Nutritional Value of Pears
Given below is the amount of nutrients in 100 gm of pears:
- Carbohydrates - 15.46 g
- Sugars - 9.80 g
- Dietary fiber - 3.1 g
- Protein - 0.38 g
- Thiamin (Vitamin B1) - 0.012 mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) - 0.025 mg
- Niacin (Vitamin B3) - 0.157 mg
- Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5) - 0.048 mg
- Vitamin B6 - 0.028 mg
- Folate (Vitamin B9) - 7 μg
- Vitamin C - 4.2 mg
- Calcium - 9 mg
- Iron - 0.17 mg
- Magnesium - 7 mg
- Phosphorus - 11 mg
- Potassium - 119 mg
- Zinc - 0.10 mg
Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Pears
- Being rich in vitamin C, pears have antioxidant properties and are said to protect body cells from oxygen-related damage caused by free radicals.
- The presence of fiber in pears helps prevent constipation and also ensures regularity of bowel movement.
- Studies have revealed that eating pears help protect women against postmenopausal breast cancer.
- Pear is described as a hypoallergenic fruit that is less likely to produce an adverse response than other fruits.
- Regular consumption of pears might lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration, the main cause of vision loss in older adults.
- It has been seen that pears help lower blood pressure and also reduce the chances of a stroke.
- The high content of pectin in pears makes them useful in lowering of cholesterol levels.
- Pears have been found to be good for colon health.
- Pear juice, being rich in fructose and glucose, serves as a very quick source of energy.
- Drinking a glass of pear juice is believed to be helpful in bringing down fever.
- The antioxidant properties of pears make them good for strengthening of the immune system.
- Consumption of pear juice helps relieve pain in various inflammatory conditions.
- The presence of boron in pears helps the body retain calcium and thus, reduces the risk of osteoporosis.
- The foliate in pear prevents neural tube defects in infants.