Health Benefits of Pears
While pears can't boast of any impressive amount of any one nutrient, they do contain a wide array of both vitamins and minerals.
In minerals, pears contain good amounts of copper, iron,
potassium, manganese, and magnesium , along with B- vitamins like folates, riboflavin, and pyridoxine (vitamin B6).
This translates to lowered incidences of painful colitis, arthritis, gallbladder disorders, and gout.
Pears contain 12 percent and 10 percent of the daily value, respectively, in vitamin C, good for fighting infection throughout the body, and vitamin K, for building and maintaining bone strength.
What pears don't have is almost as important: They're completely fat-free, but the fiber content eclipses all of this fruit's other attributes with 22 percent of the daily recommended value.
Added to this is that as a nutrient-dense food, eating a pear is a great option when you're looking for a way to limit your fat and calorie intake – a good way to make you feel fuller longer, which helps you watch your weight.
The hydroxycinnamic and hydroxybenzoic acid content in pears is linked with stomach and lung cancer prevention.
Boron, another ingredient, is needed to not only bolster the calcium in our bodies, but also to help prevent osteoporosis.
Flavonols such as quercetin, and carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin, together provide additional health benefits like lowered cancer, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease risks.
As good as pears are for you, the peeling is even better with nearly quadruple the phytonutrients, including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
Along with vitamin C and A, these compounds help keep the body protected from harmful free radicals.
The Chinese considered the pear, which they call “li,” to be a symbol of immortality. The destruction of a pear tree symbolized tragic or untimely death.
In Chinese, fen li means both “to share a pear” and “to separate.” Therefore, it is considered bad luck in China to share a pear because it may lead to separation of friends or lovers.
Before tobacco was introduced in Europe, pear leaves were smoked.
In the Odyssey, Homer called the pear a “gift from the Gods.”
The pear was sacred to two goddesses in Greek mythology – Hera and goddesses, Juno and Venus, as well as to Pomona, the Roman goddess of fruitfulness.
Pear wood is used to make furniture, musical instruments, and wood carvings. It is also used to make wooden kitchen utensils because it doesn’t impart any color or odor to the food and because it is tough enough to withstand repeated trips through the dishwasher without splintering or warping. Architect’s rulers are made from pear wood because it doesn’t warp.
Pears are often recommended for weaning babies because they are low in acid and aren’t too harsh on a baby’s digestive system.
Pears are considered by some to be hypoallergenic because pear allergy is rare. However, people who are allergic to Alder or Birch pollen may be allergic to pears as well.
Immune System Booster
Having a strong immune system is essential in fighting off disease and illness. Pears help to boost the immune system because they contain antioxidants such as vitamin C and copper which fight off free radicals and disease in the body.
Osteoporosis Prevention
Preventing and treating osteoporosis is a major concern for many people. Many doctors are now recommending that people who are concerned with protecting the health of their bones maintain a balanced ph and high calcium intake from dietary sources. Fruits and vegetables help to maintain a healthy pH level and pears are a good source of boron, which researchers believe may help the body to retain calcium.
Increased Energy Levels
When you eat a pear, your body absorbs glucose, which is converted into energy. Eating a pear can be a great pick-me-up if you feel sluggish in the afternoon.
Digestive Health
Pears contain a lot of fiber, which is essential for a healthy digestive system. Fiber helps to keep food moving efficiently through the colon. One medium sized pear contains about 20-25% of the daily recommended intake of fiber. A good percentage of the fiber in pears is insoluble, which may help to reduce the occurrence of colon polyps.
Cancer Prevention
One way to prevent cancer is by eating fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants. Pears contain vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant which is an important part of your body’s cancer fighting arsenal. The fiber content in pears is very effective at promoting colon health which will reduce your chances of developing colon cancer.
Healthy Pregnancy
In order to avoid birth defects, it is important for a pregnant women to consume enough folic acid. Pears contain 10-20 mcg (about 5% of the RDA) of the natural form of folic acid, folate, and they should be included in a healthy prenatal diet.
Less Allergenic
Pears are considered by some people to be a hypoallergenic food, which is why they are often recommended to people who suffer from food allergies and weaning babies. However, they are not completely hypoallergenic, as some people do have allergic reactions to pears, particularly those people who are allergic to Alder or Birch pollen.
Good for Weaning
Many doctors recommend pears for babies when they are weaning and being introduced to baby food. This is because pears are a low acid fruit that are unlikely to cause digestion problems in little bellies and because pear allergy is relatively rare.
Removing the skin and heating the pears before pureeing them can make them even easier to digest. Pears are very high in fiber so it’s important not to overdo it or to give pear puree to babies with diarrhea. If you do include the nutrient-rich skins in your baby’s food be sure that they are pureed enough that the pieces do not pose a choking hazard.
REF:
www.nutrition-and-you.com
The Effect of Quercetin On Doxorubicin Cytotoxicity in Human Breast Cancer Cells Isolation and identification of phenolic compounds from an Asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia Nakai) fruit peel
www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=28
https://authoritynutrition.com/foods/pears/#Nutrition_Facts
https://usapears.org/pear-ripening-and-handling/
For Ripeness…. Check the neck.
The tree can teach you forbearance and tolerance. It offers shade to all, irrespective of age, sex or religion, nationality or status. It helps with fruit and shade even to the foe who lays his axe on it’s trunk.
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Disclaimer
The information on this POST is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional Medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. All content, including text, graphics, images and information, contained on or available through this article is for general information / educational purposes only, and to ensue discussion or debate.