The Benefits of Eating a Pear Every Day

Pears are undervalued! The humble pear is actually one of the most beneficial and nutritious fruits available. They are so readily available and come in so many different varieties. There really is no excuse for not ditching the apple a day and opting for a tasty pear instead!

Pears are can be red, green or yellow, and every different coloured pear is good for you. Try all the numerous varieties until you find the one’s that you like the best. Some are small and dainty, whilst others are much larger and make a healthy snack all by themselves. All pears contain enough water, fibre, vitamins and minerals to keep you going for a few hours. They are easy to digest and children love them. You don’t just have to eat them raw. They are perfect for baking and stewing and turning into delicious deserts. You can even juice them and drink a nutritious glass at breakfast time. Here’s some more about the benefits of your daily pear.

The benefits of pears

• Pears contain many of the essential vitamins that we need to keep healthy like vitamins A, B, and E. They are also a good source of folic acid, fiber, potassium, mineral salts, sugars, iodine, iron and calcium. What better way to start your day than a pear for breakfast. They are also fantastic as a source of vitamin C, in fact 13% of a pear consists of vitamins C and K. It is a perfect source of health.
• Pears have antibacterial properties. This is attributed to the tannin and caffeic acid content. Pears are often eaten by people who have upset stomachs for this very reason. The pear will both help to rehydrate you and kill the harmful pathogens that are causing the problem in the first place.
• Pears have properties which mop up the effect of free radicals.  We all know that free radicals are the bad guys. They are substances that attack our cells and cause ageing. They even play a role in the development of some cancers. Pears are very rich in antioxidants, so they keep us young and healthy for longer.
• Pears are good for your cardiac health. They help to regulate blood circulation and prevent strokes.  The high fibre content of pears minimises biliary salts and this reduces the amount of the so-called “bad” cholesterol in our bodies.  Several studies have concluded that eating one pear a day reduces your chance of having a stroke by 50%.
• Pears can help prevent cancer. The high antioxidant content works alongside the high vitamin C, fibre, and folic acid content to provide the perfect balance for cell construction and cancer prevention. Some studies have indicated that pears can rid the colon of carcinogenic chemicals – if these hang around they can cause colon cancer. Pears are also thought to protect menopausal women from some forms of breast cancer.
• Pears help to prevent constipation. This is down to the high fibre content, which gets the gut moving. The detoxifying properties also promote healthy gut flora.
• Pears can regulate digestion. If you frequently suffer from digestive issues and frequently feel bloated, heavy and uncomfortable after meals, a drink of pear juice or eating a raw pear can sort this out. Pears contain pectin, which is known to be a great help with digestion.

 Make your own pear juice

You don’t have to buy expensive brands of pear juice. From June to February, pears are at their best and ideal for juicing. Pear juice is a great breakfast drink but can be enjoyed at any time of the day. Here is a basic pear juice recipe which you can change and adapt to suit your own tastes.

You will need:

• two pears
• half a glass of water
• one teaspoon of honey
• one drizzle of lemon juice.

Preparation method

Wash and peal two ripe pears then cut each one in half and put them in a blender. Blend for a few minutes then mix in the water so that it is thin enough to drink. Add some drops of lemon juice to taste and the teaspoon of honey to sweeten it. An ice cube can be thrown in on a hot day to make it more refreshing.