The pear is a sweet, bell-shaped fruit that has been popular since ancient times. They can be eaten crisp or soft. These fruits are not only delicious, but they also provide many health benefits backed by science. Here are five impressive health benefits of pears.
1. Nutritious
Pears have small amounts of folic acid, provitamin A, and niacin. Folic acid and niacin are important for cellular function and energy production, as well as provitamin A supports skin health and wound healing.
Pears are also rich in important minerals like copper and potassium. Copper is an important role in immunity, cholesterol metabolism, and nerve function, while potassium helps with muscle contraction and heart function.
What's more, these fruits have a lot of polyphenol antioxidants, which protect against oxidative damage.
Be sure to eat the whole pear, as the skin contains six times more polyphenols than the pulp. Pears are especially loaded with folate, vitamin C, copper, and potassium. They are also a good source of polyphenol antioxidants.
2. Promote gut health
Pears have so many soluble and insoluble fibers, which is essential for digestive health. These fibers can maintain bowel regularity by softening and bulking up the stool. One medium pear (178 grams) contains 6 grams of fiber -- 22 percent of your daily fiber needs.
Additionally, soluble fiber provides food for the healthy bacteria in your gut. As such, they are considered prebiotics and have been linked to healthy aging and improved immunity.
Notably, fiber may help relieve constipation. Since the skin of a pear contains a lot of fiber, it is best to eat this fruit without the skin. Pears provide dietary fiber, including prebiotics, that promotes bowel regularity, constipation relief, and overall digestive health.
3. Contains beneficial plant compounds
Pears contain beneficial plant compounds that give these fruits their many different colors. For example, anthocyanins give some pears their ruby red color. These compounds can be good for heart health and strengthen blood vessels.
High intakes of anthocyanin-rich foods, such as berries, have been linked to a lower risk of heart disease. Green pears contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two compounds that are necessary for maintaining sharp eyesight, especially as we age. Again, many of these beneficial plant compounds are concentrated in the peel.
4. Has anti-inflammatory properties
While inflammation is a normal immune response, chronic or long-term inflammation can be bad for your health. It has been linked to certain diseases, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Pears are rich in flavonoid antioxidants that help fight inflammation and reduce your risk of disease.
Pears have several vitamins and minerals, such as copper and vitamins C and K, which also fight inflammation. Pears are rich in flavonoids, which are antioxidants that may help reduce inflammation and prevent certain diseases.
5. Acts as an anticancer agent
Pears contain a variety of compounds that may exhibit anticancer properties. For example, their anthocyanin and cinnamic acid content have been proven to be able to fight cancer.
Flavonoid-rich fruits such as pears also protect against breast and ovarian cancer, making this fruit an especially smart choice for women. Pears have many powerful plant compounds that may have cancer-fighting properties.
