Pears

Other Names: Nashi Pear, Pears, Pera, Peral, Poir, Poire, Poirier, Poirier Commun, Pyrus asiae-mediae, Pyrus balansae, Pyrus bourgaeana, Pyrus communis, Pyrus domestica, Pyrus elata, Pyrus medvedevii.
See also : Asian Pears

Classification

There are different varieties of pears: Bartlett, Bosc, Comice, Seckel and Anjou. But regardless of the variety, what is important is that you get the health benefits that a pear can offer you.

• Bartlett pears are the most common ones. This is a juicy and sweet kind of pear usually with a green skin that tends to turn yellow when it ripens. Sometimes, a blush of red could be seen too. This is the kind of pear that is canned.
• Bosc pears are most common during winter time. Their matted skin is brownish-yellow in color and their flesh is creamy white. This type of pear is most often used in baking and cooking.
• Comice pears are considered as the best pears for eating. Their skin is smooth and their flesh is really sweet.
• Seckel pears are the smallest in size, with spicy, sweet and grainy flesh. This type of pear is also good for cooking.
• Anjou pears are all-around pears. They are good both for eating and cooking purposes. Their colors stay the same whether they are raw or ripe and they possess a sweet, juicy taste.

The benefits of Pears are

• Pears are rich sources of fiber – the water soluble kind. They also contain vitamins A, B1, B2, C, E as well as minerals such as niacin, boron, folic acid, potassium, copper and phosphorus. Trace amounts of sulfur, sodium, magnesium, iron, chlorine and calcium can also be found. The iron content in each pear variety is different. As soon as you cut a pear in half, observe the way it turns brown. If the pear you just bought did not turn brown, this means that the iron content is either non-existent or very low.
• Pears have higher pectin content compared to apples. This gives pears the ability to help lower the levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) inside the body. And because it has high fiber content also, it helps with digestion and also aids in intestinal toning. The pear fruit is also hypoallergenic and it is considered as a safe fruit to be introduced to infants who are already starting to eat.
• Aside from the refreshing flavor that you can get from eating pears, the most important reason for you to indulge in one is because it is good for your health. The pear fruit offers a lot of health benefits, and here are some of the very best ones:
• It Fights Free Radicals : Free radicals are by-products of the oxidative process, and which can cause damage to our body cells. These substances are said to be the culprits in the development of certain health conditions such as heart disease, cancer and premature aging. Pears are very rich in copper, vitamin C and vitamin K which act as potent antioxidants that offer the cells the protection that it needs.
• It protects the Heart : As previously mentioned, pears are rich sources of water soluble fiber. The fiber acts as a sweeper, sweeping away bad cholesterol and flushing it out of the body. This claim has been supported by studies, all one in saying that the fiber in pears has a protective effect on the heart. Furthermore, eating pears can reduce a person’s risk of having a stroke by up to a whopping fifty percent!
• It Helps Fight Cancer : Pears also help reduce the risk of developing colon cancer through its fiber content. The chemicals from the food that we eat and which are now found in the colon binds to the fiber in pear and are then flushed out of the body. Numerous studies conducted among post-menopausal women revealed that regular consumption of fruits that are rich in fiber, such as pears, can lower the woman’s risk of developing breast cancer.
• It Helps Control Diabetes : The low glycemic index of pears makes them the most suitable snack of choice for people diagnosed with diabetes. It does not cause an abrupt spike in blood sugar levels thereby helping control the levels of blood glucose of a diabetic patient. Plus the fact that it is not too sweet, a pear can satisfy a sweet tooth’s craving in a much healthier way compared to cakes and ice cream.
• It prevents constipation : Looks like the fiber alone in pear is enough to give one a lot of health benefits! Once again, the fiber helps in improving the function of the digestive system, allowing for proper digestion and elimination. Plus, the pectin content of the pear fruit exerts a mild laxative effect. Regular consumption of pear juice helps in bowel movement regulation.
• It provides energy : The glucose and fructose found in pears provide natural and quick bursts of energy all throughout the day.
• It reduces risk of osteoporosis : Boron found in pears aids the body in retaining calcium, which is necessary for strong bones.