While apples, bananas, strawberries, and oranges still seem to be favorites, we shouldn’t ignore those pears in the fruit bowl. Pears have nutritional value that cannot be ignored, and nothing beats biting into a perfectly ripe, juicy pear! Thank goodness August is the start of pear season, and it’s the perfect opportunity to spotlight this vitamin-packed, fiber-filled fruit.
Pears Have Nutritional Value That Is Good For:
1. Digestion
The daily target for fiber consumption lies somewhere between 25 and 38 grams, depending on your gender. One medium-sized pear gives you almost 6 grams of fiber, which your body needs for regular bowel movements and to support a healthy digestive tract.
Along with their high amounts of fiber, pears consist of 84 percent water, which allows your body to flush toxins via bile and stool more easily.
2. Disease Prevention
Like other plant-based foods, pears are rich in antioxidants and vitamins that help fight off diseases like cancer, diverticulitis, and cardiovascular disease. The amount of fiber in pears also helps prevent diabetes by supporting stable blood sugar levels. Pears also contain copper, vitamin C, and vitamin K, which have antioxidants that protect our cells from damage by free radicals.
3. Cardiovascular and Brain Function Support
By adding a pear or two to your diet a day, you can potentially reduce your bad cholesterol, or LDL. Like apples, pears are rich in flavanols, which offer anti-inflammatory benefits, healthy blood vessel support, and protection against neurodegenerative disorders.
So the answer is an overwhelming “Yes, pears have nutritional value.” When your kids start getting tired of apples and bananas, try adding pears into your grocery rotation and see how they like it. And be sure to eat the peel! Pears’ peels hold many of the fruit’s nutrients. The peel alone is rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
There are also many different kinds of pears to keep your kids interested:
For more health-related topics, tips, and recipes, make sure to follow along with our Hospitality Health ER blog. There you can read even more about the health benefits of other plant-based foods, like pumpkins and cherries. For giveaways, updates, and COVID-19 tips, like us on Facebook and Instagram.
