The benefits of pear are still somewhat underrated. They don't get as much recognition as other fruits, but they are just as important. Pears are packed with an amazing variety of nutrients and have a plethora of benefits for the body. In this article, we are going to go over eight health benefits of consuming pears that range from lowering cholesterol to improving digestion.
People often overlook pears because they're not the most aesthetically pleasing fruit but there are amazing benefits of eating pears.
If you see a beautiful pineapple or juicy apple sitting in front of you, it's hard to resist picking it up instead of a less aesthetically pleasing pear (even though both will provide their unique vitamins).
Types of Pears
There are many different types of pears that all come from the same family. Some of these pears include:
Bartlett Pear: A sweet type of pear that is juicy and comes in red, yellow or green colours.
Comice Pear: A sweet type of pear that is most known for its tender flesh.
Conference Pear: It has a unique shape and tends to be larger than Bartlett or Comice pears. It has a honey-like flavour to it.
Bosc Pear: A large pear with an almost potato-like texture and light taste that is less sweet than other types of pears. It has an almost buttery taste to it as well.
A pear os one of the healthiest of fruits, so you can find many health benefits of pear as this large and succulent fruit is rich in nutrients, especially antioxidants. Let's have a look at eight major pear benefits that we can find.
1. Improves Kidney Health
Pears are high in a kidney-friendly trace mineral called manganese, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the kidneys.
This helps to keep the kidneys healthy, keeps toxins in check and helps us fight free radicals. Manganese has also been found to help prevent chronic kidney disease by helping to flush out excess fluids from your body.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Pears contain polyphenols, which have been found to reduce inflammation in the body. This helps prevent arthritis and, for women, decreases the risk of certain cancers such as breast cancer, gallbladder cancer and endometrial cancer.
3. Lowers the Risk of Diabetes
Pears are packed with vitamin B-6, which helps to keep the body's glucose level steady. It is important for the proper functioning of our nervous system, production of red blood cells and proper metabolism of carbohydrates.
Moreover, pears are also high in manganese and vitamins C and K, which have been found to fight diabetes effectively.
Boost Heart Health
Pears are high in soluble fibre, which helps to lower LDL cholesterol or bad cholesterol. This is helpful as it can prevent the build-up of plaque in the arteries, which results in heart disease.
Promote Healthy Eyesight
According to research studies, pears contain quercetin, an antioxidant found to help maintain good eye health. Quercetin is also known to be effective for the prevention of macular degeneration and associated vision loss from age-related conditions such as lagophthalmos (eye too near the nose) and myopia (narrow eye).
Rich in Fibre
Most pears have about 7 grams of fibre per 100 grams. This helps keep the digestive system healthy and is a crucial nutrient for our body. Fibre can help prevent constipation and also keeps the bowels working properly. This is also a very useful nutritional value of pears.
Aid in Weight Loss
Pears are one of the best fruits to aid in weight loss because they contain eight grams of dietary fibre per serving, which helps promote healthy digestion and helps you feel full throughout the day. In some cases, however, it can be difficult to control appetite due to their addictive properties.
Source of Plant Compounds
Pears are a rich source of phytochemicals, which are plant compounds that have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and antioxidant properties.
Some pear health benefits can be attributed to the skin of the pear due to its high concentration of pectin.
When we eat this fruit, it is absorbed optimally from our system because it is broken down by enzymes in the stomach and the small intestine before reaching our circulation.
Pectin does not dissolve in water and has a gel-like consistency. This causes our gut to churn rapidly and break down the pear into tiny particles that can be absorbed through intestinal walls.
Other Benefits of Pears are:
Aid Better Digestion
Pears have an enzyme in them called pectin that helps start digestion for easier absorption of nutrients into our body.
This is why people who eat pears tend to have a large appetite and feel satisfied easily because the pectin gives the gut an energetic boost that gives you an appetite boost by helping you digest food well.
Increase Brain Power
A pectin-rich diet has been found to help improve brain performance and act as a longevity enhancer.
It aids in the formation of neural cells and improves blood flow to the brain, which increases concentration and mood while improving memory.
Fight Cancer
Research studies have shown that pear consumption may reduce the risk of various types of cancer.
Promote Good Digestion
Pears are great for digestion due to their fibre content that helps in the release of bile from your gallbladder, assisting food passage through the digestive tract. This can help prevent constipation and also reduce exposure to harmful gastric acid (HCL).
Improve Bone Health
Pears contain a protein known as osteocalcin that helps build strong bones. They also contain vitamin K, which is responsible for the proper absorption of calcium in your body and this means you don't get any bone diseases such as osteoporosis.
Conclusion
Pears are a unique type of fruit that is not always as popular as apples or oranges because of their diverse taste, but they are just as nutritious. Pears also have several health benefits that prove to be more effective than other types of fruits and vegetables. They help with weight loss, promote healthy eyesight and energise your digestive system, among other positive health properties that can come from eating pears regularly.
FAQs
Is pear a fruit or vegetable?
Pear is considered both a fruit and a vegetable because the definition of a fruit is the edible part of any plant that contains seeds, inside a ripened ovary.
Are there any pear benefits that you stand to gain from consuming the fruit?
Pears are known to be very rich in fibre, vitamin C and a wide variety of other nutrients. Many people consume pears because they realise the incredible health benefits that they can be used for.
Is it possible to grow pear trees indoors?
Growing pear trees indoors is not a difficult task but you will need the right type of tree and a climate-controlled space such as a greenhouse or an indoor garden.