Nutritional Value Of Pears

Besides their availability and flavor, pears have also been valued for their medicinal
benefits for thousands of years. Modern science now tells us the contents of the fruit,
and the mineral, vitamin, and organic compound content of pear species is the reason
for its vast health potential. Some of these active and effective components
are potassium, vitamin-C, vitamin K, phenolic compounds, folate,
dietary fiber, copper, manganese, magnesium, as well as B-complex vitamins.

Health Benefits Of Pears

Digestion and Intestinal Health: The fleshy and fibrous pear fruit has a very important
role to play in human digestion. With a single serving of pears providing 18% of the daily
requirement for fiber intake, they can be a very strong agent for digestive health and
function. Most of the fiber in pears is non-soluble polysaccharide (NSP), which means
that it acts as a bulking agent in the intestines. It accumulates the food and adds bulk so
it is easier to pass through the intestines. Furthermore, it stimulates secretion of gastric
and digestive juices so food moves smoother, in a more digested state. It regulates
bowel movements and reduces the chances of constipation, as well as diarrhea and
loose stool, since it adds that bulk to the bowel movements. Also, the gritty nature of
pear fiber helps it bind to cancer-causing agents and free radicals in the colon and
protects that organ from their damaging effects.
Low in Calories: One of the complaints that some people have about various fruits is
the calorie content, mainly derived from natural sugars. However, pears are one of the
lowest calorie fruits; an average pear has just over 100 calories, which is 5% of daily
calorie allowance of a healthy diet. However, the nutritional supplementation it gives you
is immense, and the fiber makes you feel full. Therefore, people trying to lose weight
often turn to pears to get the most bang for their buck. It is a high-energy, high-nutrient
food with a low impact on weight gain and obesity.

Antioxidant Activity: Like many other fruits, pears are a wealth of antioxidants that
combat various diseases and conditions within the body. Antioxidants work to eliminate
the free radicals that accumulate in the body following cellular metabolism. These free
radicals mutate healthy cell DNA into cancerous cells, and can cause a number of other
devastating conditions. Therefore, antioxidant components of vitamin C, vitamin A, and
flavonoid compounds like beta-carotene, lutein, and zea-xanthin, all of which are found
in pears, can seriously help rid the body of these dangerous compounds.

Cancer Prevention: Antioxidants are primarily praised for their anti-

carcinogenic activities, and pears have been connected to prevention of a number of
different types of cancer, including colon, rectum, breast, prostate, and lungs. This is not
unique to pears, but they do have a high antioxidant score, compared to many other
fruits.Immune System Health: Similarly, the immune system of the body is also
boosted by the activities of antioxidants and vitamin-C. Vitamin C has long been known
to be beneficial for the immune system, as it stimulates white blood cell production and
activity. Traditionally, fruits like pears have been suggested to eliminate simply
conditions like the common cold, the flu, or various other mild illnesses that a quick
immune system boost could help cure.

Potassium Content: Pears are a wonderful of potassium, which means that pears can
have a significant impact on heart health, because potassium is a well-known
vasodilator. This means that it lowers blood pressure, which reduces strain to the entire
cardiovascular system and makes it harder for clots to form or harm you. Furthermore, it
increases blood flow to all parts of the body, which oxygenates the organs and
promotes their effective function. Lowering blood pressure is also connected to a lower
chance of cardiovascular diseases like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
Finally, potassium works as a fluid regulator in the body, meaning that it keeps the
various parts of the body hydrated, and ensures the balance of essential fluids in the
cells and organs. Without potassium, many of our most essential functions would be
either slowed down or stopped altogether!

Wound Healing and Tissue Repair: Vitamin C is also an essential part of synthesizing
new tissue in various organs and cellular structures of the body. This keeps the body
metabolism running smoothly and ensuring that all functions operate properly.
Furthermore, wound healing is sped up with high levels of ascorbic acid, so small
injuries, cuts, and damage done by injuries and diseases can be fixed faster if you add
high levels of this essential nutrient to your diet, which pears do provide. It also helps to
repair damaged blood vessels, which reduces the strain on the cardiovascular system
and prevents certain heart diseases from developing.

Improved Circulation and Red Blood Cell Count: For patients that suffer
from anemia or other mineral deficiencies, pears can be very helpful, due to its content
of copper and iron. Copper facilitates and improves the uptake of minerals into the
system, and increased levels of iron mean that red blood cell synthesis increases. Iron
is an important part of hemoglobin and anemia is another name for iron deficiency. You
can prevent fatigue, cognitive malfunction, muscle weakness, and organ system
malfunction by consuming foods high in iron and copper, both of which are found in
significant amounts in pears.
Birth Defects: Folates are another of the valuable nutritional components of
pears. Folic acid has been positively correlated with a reduction in neural tube defects in
newborns, so eating folate-rich fruits like pears can protect the health and happiness of
your baby, so pregnant women are always encouraged to monitor their folic acid levels.

Inflammation Reduction: The antioxidant and flavonoid components of pears can also
induce anti-inflammatory effects in the body and reduce the pain associated with
inflammation diseases. This includes the reduction in symptoms of arthritis, rheumatic
conditions, gout, and similar conditions. Most fruits have these effects, although citrus
fruits are not quite as effective.

Bone Health: The high mineral content of pears, which includes magnesium,
manganese, phosphorus, calcium, and copper, means that you can reduce bone
mineral loss and debilitating conditions like osteoporosis and general weakness of the
body due to lack of support from the bones.

Skin, Hair, and Eyes: One of the most versatile vitamins in the human body is Vitamin
A. Pears are high in vitamin A, and its subsequent components, like lutein and
zeaxanthin. They act as an antioxidant as well as participating in a number of
enzymatic reactions and organ functions, pears can reduce the effects of aging on the
skin, like wrinkles and age spots. This powerful fruit can also reduce hair loss, macular
degeneration, cataracts, and various other conditions associated with the aging
process.

A Few Words of Caution: There are no known interactions or health risks with pears,
although there are always ongoing studies. However, since some people suffer from
allergic reactions based on certain types of fruit, monitor your bodys behavior and
reaction if you do not normally eat pears, and only eat an appropriate amount, no more
than one pear per day.
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