What is the health benefits of a pear – 10 proven facts
Pear is extremely useful for the human body due to antioxidants, fiber, vitamins, macro- and microelements in its composition.
Against the background of regular intake of pears, there is a decrease in body weight, prevention of malignant neoplasms, type II diabetes mellitus, as well as pathologies from the cardiovascular and digestive systems. The fruit has practically no contraindications and side effects.
Content
10 proven properties
Below are 10 arguments about the health benefits of pears, which are scientifically confirmed.
1. It has a rich composition
Pear is unique source antioxidants, flavonoids, fiber , caratinoids and anthocyanins, which are often lacking in the body. Instead of sucrose, it contains sobite, which significantly distinguishes it from other fruits.
Below is the content of the main biologically active substances in a pear (per 100 grams):
| Name of the element | Percentage of daily requirement |
| Vitamin C | 5,6% |
| Vitamin K | 3,8% |
| Vitamin E | 2,7% |
| Vitamin B2 | 1,7% |
| Vitamin B6 | 1,5% |
| Iron | 12,2% |
| Potassium | 6,2% |
| Magnesium | 3% |
| Calcium | 1,9% |
The calorie content of pears is about 58 calories per 100 grams.
2. Strengthens bones and joints
Calcium, as well as vitamins C and K, which are contained in pears, are extremely important for maintaining metabolism in bone tissue.
How claim scientists, systematic consumption of fruit provides reliable prevention of osteoporosis – reduction bone density . Strong bones are less prone to curvature and pathological fractures.
Pears also prevent the development of autoimmune and inflammatory joint lesions, promote strengthening of the ligamentous apparatus .
3. Provides prevention of diabetes mellitus II type
Pears are a valuable natural source of bioflavonoids. Scientists from the USA proved
that regular use of these substances significantly reduces the likelihood of developing type II diabetes mellitus.
Similar results demonstrate and other studies. Pears are superior to other types of fruits (along with apples, blueberries and grapes) in terms of preventing various pathologies of the glycemic profile (type II diabetes mellitus, fasting hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance).
This action is presumably associated with increased sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin, faster utilization of glucose by body cells.
It is important to note that the pear has a low glycemic index, which means it can be eaten even by people suffering from diabetes mellitus.
4. Strengthens the immune system
Pear is rich in antioxidants: vitamin C and copper, which Normalize the immune system
.
By of information scientists from New Zealand, a special role is given to vitamin C. It increases the effectiveness of the body's immune defense against various external pathogens (viruses, fungi, bacteria, protozoa), regulates the work of innate and adaptive immunity.
5. Improves eye health
Pears rich
lutein and zeaxanthin.
These substances are concentrated mainly in the retina and lens of the eye and prevent age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and retinitis pigmentosa, and provide reliable protection of the ophthalmic apparatus from ultraviolet solar radiation.
Also, the systematic use of this fruit has a positive effect on visual acuity, reduces the likelihood of eye fatigue during prolonged active work.
6. Normalizes digestion
As already mentioned, pears are rich in sorbitol and dietary fiber
.
These substances normalize the motility of the smooth muscles of the intestinal wall, ensure the rapid and effective movement of the chyme in the lumen of the digestive tube.
Pear is also a mild laxative and can be used to prevent constipation.
An important advantage of pears is the normalization of intestinal microflora. Prebiotic Fibers it contains food for various beneficial microorganisms, thereby supporting their growth and reproduction.
Against this background, the vital activity of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic representatives of intestinal microbiocenosis is suppressed, the probability of manifestation of various infectious-inflammatory and autoimmune pathologies decreases.
7. Effective against diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is an inflammation of special, pathologically formed protrusions of the wall of the large intestine into the lumen of the abdominal cavity. Diverticula are asymptomatic in 30% of cases.
The positive effect of pears is provided by several mechanisms:
- Prevention of inflammatory lumen. The fruit inhibits the development of pathogenic microorganisms in the lumen of the digestive system.
- Acceleration of peristalsis. Proven that the pear accelerates the promotion of food, thereby preventing the stagnation of fecal masses and the formation of fecal stones in diverticula, which are one of the initial causes of the development of the inflammatory process.
8. It has an anti-cancer effect
The abundance of antioxidant substances, as well as fiber, is able to bind and remove various carcinogenic substances almost unchanged. This is an effective way to prevent malignant neoplasms in the walls of the digestive tube.
The fruit has also been proven to have a positive effect on other cancer sites.
Korean scientists discovered that pear extract (namely, protocatechic acid, which is present in the composition) suppresses the activity of the enzyme tyrosine kinase, and, as a result, melanogenesis.
Specialists claim that the pear is effective in preventing the manifestation of melanoma, one of the most dangerous tumors with a high percentage of deaths.
In another study it was revealed that the pear reduces the likelihood of hormone-dependent malignant transformation of the breast.
9. Promotes weight loss
Brazilian Studies demonstrate
that eating three fruits a day for 10 weeks contributes to a pronounced loss of body weight, a decrease in waist circumference.
Positive properties are associated with the suppression of chronic inflammation, increased efficiency enzymatic processes in the digestive tract, as well as with the correction of the glycemic background.
The effect of antioxidant substances regulating metabolism directly in adipose tissue is also noted.
10. Improves the health of the cardiovascular system
The works of American scientists showed
that the consumption of pears on a systematic basis allows
to reduce the level of total cholesterol
, as well as its atherogenic fractions (LDL) in the blood.
As a result, the development of dyslipidemia is prevented – the leading risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic changes in the walls of arteries and pathologies such as coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, chronic cerebral ischemia.
Pear components also have a weak myolytic effect and contribute to lowering blood pressure, which is especially important for people suffering from hypertension or having an increased hereditary predisposition to it.
Other properties
The range of medicinal properties of pears is not limited to this. They also have the following qualities:
- Prevention of gout.
- Prevention of biliary dyskinesia and gallstone formation in the gallbladder.
- Effective temperature reduction in fever against the background of various infectious pathologies.
- Acceleration of recovery and full recovery of the body after acute respiratory diseases.
- Increase skin elasticity. Preventing the formation of wrinkles.
- Reducing dryness and fragility of hair, saturating them with nutrients.
Contraindications
The pear has practically no harm and contraindications to use.
The exception is the presence of increased individual sensitivity to certain components and exacerbation of chronic diseases of the digestive system (gastritis, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, duodenitis, enterocolitis, etc.).
It is important to note that the pear is allowed to be consumed by women during pregnancy and breastfeeding. It contains a lot of valuable micro- and macroelements, vitamins that ensure the correct development of the unborn child.
5 tips for choosing
Like most other fruits or berries, pears are removed from the tree in an immature form, maturation occurs during the transportation of the product to the store shelves.
Below are some rules for choosing pears:
- Color. The color of the skin can be any – red, yellow, green. It is determined by belonging to a certain variety. There should be no softening, dents, or black dots on the fruits.
- The smell. Ripe pear has a special sweet-honey aroma. The presence of foreign odors indicates the unsuitability of the product for consumption.
- Peduncle. A mature pear has a peduncle that is soft and elastic to the touch. Dry and brittle is a sign of over–ripeness or excessive use of pesticides during cultivation.
- Surface. Manufacturers often treat fruits with various wax-based chemicals to increase shelf life. They are easily recognizable by their characteristic greasy sheen. When making such a purchase, it is imperative to rinse the pears under warm running water (preferably with soap).
- Density. A soft and pliable pear is a sign of corruption.
After purchase, ripe pears should be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 7 days, unripe fruits are able to retain their organoleptic properties for 2 months. It is not recommended to pack fruits in cellophane bags, paper is an ideal option.
Answers to frequently asked questions
The most controversial issues regarding the use of pears are discussed below:
- Which is more useful: a pear or an apple? In general, the vitamin and mineral composition of pears and apples has no significant differences. However, apples contain more vitamin A, E, B1, B5, B6 and ascorbic acid. The pear, in turn, has a higher concentration of potassium (2 times). If you rely solely on the composition, then an apple is a more useful fruit.
- Which varieties are the most useful? There are a huge number of varieties of pears in the world. The most valuable (in terms of nutrient content and taste indicators) are: Duchess, Williams, Conference.
- Are dried and baked fruits useful? Yes! During heat treatment, the pear practically does not lose its useful properties, which means it can be consumed in any form: dried, baked, boiled. Boiled or baked pears are considered the most useful. It helps to prevent constipation and normalize digestive function. Dried pears are one of the most useful dried fruits.
- How can the leaves, branches, and flowers of a pear tree be used? Pear branches, leaves and flowers are usually used to make tea or long-aged infusions. They have an almost similar set of useful qualities compared to fruits, and also improve the rheological properties of blood.
Conclusion
- Pears have a lot of proven positive qualities.
- Against the background of systematic use, prevention of malignant neoplasms, weight loss, improvement of the health of the cardiovascular, endocrine, digestive, musculoskeletal, nervous and immune systems is observed.
- An important feature of pears is the practical complete absence of contraindications and side effects.
- It is recommended to choose fruits correctly in stores.
