27 Amazing Benefits of Pears
The pear is a delicious fruit of the pear tree and belongs to the genus Pyrus in the Rosaceae family. It is native to Western Europe and North Africa but is now cultivated in many regions of the world. It provides many health and beauty benefits due to the abundance of essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, phytonutrients, and dietary fibers, etc.
Health Benefits of Pears
Following are the major health benefits of pears.
(1) Keeps Our Digestive System Healthy
Pears improve our digestive health as they contain antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin A, and other relevant compounds like flavonoids, etc.
These compounds protect the digestive system from free radical damage and reduce various cancers such as abdominal cancer, pancreatic cancer, intestinal cancer, and colon cancer, etc.
The dietary fibers in pears act as a natural laxative that improves bowel movement, relieves constipation, and provides relief from gastrointestinal problems like abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and flatulence, etc.
Other nutrients like potassium, copper, zinc, and B vitamins in pears also play an important role in maintaining healthy digestion.
(2) Promotes Weight Loss
Pears promote weight loss as they are low in calories ( 57 calories per 100 grams).
Dietary fibers in pears provide stomach satiety and control overeating, a major cause of obesity.
Pears contain an abundance of water ( 80 to 84 %) that increases metabolism, improves digestion, and helps with weight management.
(3) Protection Against Cancer(s)
Vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin K, and other antioxidant compounds such as flavonoids, etc in pears protect our cells from free radical damage and reduce the risk of various cancers such as lung cancer, abdominal cancer, pancreatic cancer, intestinal cancer, and breast cancer, etc.
Free radicals are unstabilized ions that stabilize by stealing electrons from neighboring molecules, and doing so causes oxidative damage to them.
source-pixabay.com(4) Provides Antioxidant Benefits
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidants in pears protect our cells from free radical damage and reduce the risk of many cancers.
Along with this, antioxidants provide many other benefits such as strengthening the immune system, improving cardiovascular health, keeping vital organs like the liver and kidneys healthy, improving neurological health, and so on.
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(5) Make Our Immune System Stronger
Pears strengthen our immune system, the defense mechanism of the body that aids in the prevention and treatment of infections and injuries, wounds, and diseases.
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other relevant antioxidant compounds in pears protect our immune cells or white blood cells from free radical damage.
This strengthens our immunity, and with stronger immunity, we are less likely to get a cough, cold, fever, and flu, etc.
Vitamin C enhances the production of white blood cells and further strengthens our immune system.
Because of their antimicrobial properties, pears combat bacterial, viral, and fungal infections.
Potassium, magnesium, zinc, copper, iron, and B vitamins in pears also play a major role in boosting our immune health.
(6) Regulates Blood Pressure
Pears contain potassium, a vital mineral known for its vasodilating properties.
Being a natural vasodilator, potassium relaxes our blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and provides relief from hypertension or high blood pressure.
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition that affects millions around the world and is a leading cause of cardiovascular and other health problems.
However, too much potassium is bad and may drop our blood pressure below the healthy range and cause tiredness, numbness, nausea or vomiting, trouble breathing, chest pain, and irregular heartbeat, etc.
To avoid these risks, eat pears and other potassium-rich foods in moderation.
Also, if you take blood pressure medication, consult with your doctor before adding pears to your diet to ensure there is no food-drug interference.
(7) Manages Cholesterol
Pears help in managing cholesterol levels as they contain dietary fibers that reduce LDL cholesterol and protect against atherosclerosis.
Atherosclerosis is a condition that hardens and narrows our arteries due to the accumulation of plaque and fat deposits in the arterial walls.
It is a leading cause of cardiovascular problems like heart attack, heart stroke, and coronary artery disease.
(8) Improve Cardiovascular Health
Pears are good for the heart and improve our cardiovascular health.
Vitamin C, vitamin E, and other relevant compounds such as flavonoids, etc in pears protect our cardiovascular system from free radical damage.
Potassium, a natural vasodilator in pears improves blood circulation and relieves hypertension, a leading cause of cardiovascular problems.
Pears contain dietary fibers that help in cholesterol management and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, a leading cause of heart problems.
Zinc, magnesium, iron, and B vitamins, etc in pears also plays an important role in maintaining a healthy cardiovascular system.
(9) Regulate Blood Sugar
With a low glycemic index of 37, pears slow down the rate at which sugar is released into the bloodstream. This prevents a sudden spike in blood sugar levels and helps in managing diabetes.
Dietary fibers in pears reduce the rate at which sugar gets absorbed by the bloodstream and keep blood sugar under control.
However, pears are rich in natural sugars. Overeating pears may interfere with blood sugar levels and cause health problems.
To avoid the risk, eat pears in moderation.
If you take diabetes medication, consult your doctor before eating pears and ensure there is no food-drug interference.
(10) Heals Wounds And Tissues
Pears contain powerful antioxidants like vitamin C that promote the synthesis of new tissues in various organs and the cell structures of the body.
Because of these properties, pears help in the quick healing of wounds and injuries.
The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of vitamin C protect our immune cells from oxidative stress and keep us at a lower risk of disease and infections.
(11) Reduce Anemia Risk
Pears improve blood circulation and reduce the risk of iron-induced anemia.
Iron-induced anemia is a blood disorder caused by the deficiency of iron in the body. It may cause dizziness, fatigue, weakness, pale skin, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, and shortness of breath, etc.
Pears contain iron, a vital mineral that enhances the production of red blood cells.
Red blood cells carry oxygenated blood to cells and tissues of our body and provide nourishment to them.
By providing them nourishment, keeps them healthy and reduces the risk of iron-induced anemia.
Vitamin C in pears further helps with anemia as it enhances iron absorption in our body.
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(12) Contain Folic Acid
Pears contain folate or folic acid, a trace mineral that plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy pregnancy.
Folate or folic acid promotes the brain development of the fetus, and lack of it may increase the risk of birth defects like neural tube defects and Spina Bifida.
It also provides other benefits such as improving cardiovascular health, reducing inflammation, regulating blood sugar, and improving kidney health, etc.
(13) Provides Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Vitamin C, dietary fibers, and other anti-inflammatory compounds in pears provide relief from pain and inflammation caused by inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, rheumatoid, gouts, asthma, and bronchial asthma.
It provides relief from joint pain and stiffness of joints.
(14) Strengthen Bones And Teeth
Pears make our bones and teeth stronger as they are rich in bone-strengthening minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium, etc.
Calcium is an essential mineral that promotes the growth and development of bones, and lack of it may increase the risk of bone disorders such as osteoporosis.
Magnesium, manganese, and phosphorus, etc in pears strengthen bones by improving bone density.
Potassium in pears neutralizes acid load, reduces loss of calcium from the bones,,,, and improves bone density.
The anti-inflammatory properties of pears provide relief from osteoarthritis, a condition that causes wear and tear of protective tissues at the end of bones.
(15) Good For Eyes
Pears are good for the eyes and maintain our ocular health.
It contains powerful antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and relevant compounds like flavonoids, etc.
These compounds protect the eyes from free radical damage and reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma, etc.
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for the eyes as it improves vision, prevents eye dryness, and reduces the risk of night blindness.
Iron, folate, zinc, and B vitamins in pears also play an important role in maintaining eye health.
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(16) Is Hypoallergenic In Nature
Being a hypoallergenic fruit, pears are mostly safe and at a lower risk of causing allergies.
however, depending on person to person and case to case basis, pears can still cause allergic reactions or discomfort in some individuals.
If you are allergic to pears, discontinue the use and consult a doctor.
Beauty Benefits of Pears For Skin
Some major beauty benefits of pears for skin are as follows.
(1) Keeps Premature Ageing At Bay
Vitamin C, vitamin A, and other antioxidant compounds in pears protect our skin cells from free radical damage.
It reduces fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, skin blemishes, dark spots, and other signs of premature aging.
Vitamin C enhances the production of collagen, an amino acid that maintains skin elasticity and prevents wrinkles and skin sagging.
Other nutrients like zinc, copper, magnesium and B vitamins in pears also help in improving skin health.
(2) Make Our Skin Soft And Smooth
Nutrients in pears provide nourishment to our skin and improve skin smoothness
Antioxidants in pears protect the skin from signs of premature aging like fine lines and wrinkles and brings out the natural glow of the skin.
Dietary fibers in pears slow down sugar absorption by the bloodstream and prevent it from breaking down collagen, an amino acid that maintains skin health.
(3) Treats Oily Skin
Pears help in treating oily skin as it contains dietary fiber that regulates the secretion of excess oil from the sebaceous glands of the skin.
For this, mash a pear and mix it with honey and cream to make a fine paste.
Apply this paste on the face and let it dry for 20-30 minutes.
Wash off with water.
Do it thrice a week for better results.
(4) Regulates pH Balance
Pears help in maintaining the pH balance of the skin as they contain minerals that neutralize skin acids.
To regulate pH, mash a pear and add one teaspoon of whipped cream and one teaspoon of honey to form a fine paste.
Apply it on the face and after 15 minutes, wash off with water.
(5) Reduces Risk of Acne
Acne is a common skin problem that affects millions of people around the world and mainly occurs due to the accumulation of toxins, pollutants, and other impurities in our skin pores.
Detoxifying compounds like vitamin C and dietary fibers in pears remove toxins, pollutants, and other impurities.
As there are fewer toxins, they are less likely to accumulate in our skin pores and reduce the risk of skin problems like acne and pimples.
Dietary fibers regulate the secretion of excess oil from skin glands and prevent worsening of the acne.
(6) Keep Our Skin Moisturized
Due to the abundance of water ( around 84 percent) in pears, pears provide moisturize our skin and increase skin smoothness.
It prevents our skin from dryness and improves skin health.
Because of its moisturizing properties, pears are often added to moisturizing lotions.
Nutrients in pears nourish our skin and keep it healthy.
(7) Wonderful Skin Exfoliator
Regular use will help in removing dead and dry skin cells, and make your skin smooth and radiant.
The natural enzymes in pears make it a wonderful skin exfoliator that removes dead and dry skin cells. It softens our skin and prevents skin dryness.
(8) Keep Our Lips Soft
The lactic acid in pears moisturizes and softens our lips.
They are also rich in water ( around 80 to 84 percent) that reduces dryness of lips and keeps them healthy.
Beauty Benefits of Pear For Hair
Following are the major beauty benefits of pears for hair.
(1) Keep Our Hair Healthy And Nourished
Pears are rich in nutrients like vitamins and minerals that provide nourishment to our hair and scalp and keep them healthy.
Antioxidants in pears protect our hair and scalp from free radical damage and reduce premature greying of hair, hair fall, split ends, hair dryness, etc.
Other nutrients like zinc, copper, magnesium and B vitamins in pears also improve our scalp health.
(2) Restores Hair Shine
Pears keep our hair healthy and make them strong and lustrous.
Antioxidants in pears protect the hair from oxidative stress and reduce various signs of aging.
To make hair lustrous, do as follows.
- Take extract of fresh and ripe pear and add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and water to form a paste.
- Apply the paste on the hair and let it dry for 20-30 minutes.
- Wash off with water.
Regular use makes our hair strong and lustrous.
(3) Maintains Hair Curls
Pears are good for our hair and can help in maintaining the curls and shades of our hair.
For this, peel a pear and smash it properly to form a smooth paste. Add soybean oil to it and mix it well.
Apply this paste on your hair evenly. Let it sit for an hour and then wash off with the mild shampoo.
Pears help in maintaining hair curls and hair shades.
For this, follow the given steps.
- Smash a peeled pear to form a smooth paste and mix soyabean oil with it.
- Evenly apply the paste on the hair, and let it dry for an hour.
- Wash off with mild shampoo.
Disclaimer
The information contained in the post is for general purpose only and shouldn’t be considered as medical advice or as an alternative to medical advice. Although I’ve tried my best to keep the information contained in this post as accurate and updated as possible, I make no guarantee of the accurateness of the same.
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