Pear: health benefits and harms

The pear is a fruit tree from the rose family. This plant appeared in prehistoric times, it was not possible to establish its homeland. Apparently, pear cultivation began in ancient Greece.

The benefits and harms of pears for the body are not known to everyone. In ancient times, people did not risk eating the fruits of the tree without heat treatment, considering them to be poisonous. Only in the 16th century did some daredevil agree to taste a raw pear. After his act, the fruit firmly established itself in the menu of European cuisine, and its beneficial properties are still being studied.

What is healthier – a pear or an apple

It is impossible to unequivocally answer which fruit brings more benefits to the body. Each of them has its own set of useful vitamins and minerals. Some chemicals in them even coincide. The difference is only in their number.

The benefit of a pear over an apple lies in the increased content of minerals:

The benefits of apple are high in vitamins. In this competition, it outperforms the pear, but only slightly:

From the two tables it can be seen that you can choose a fruit only according to taste preferences. Both pear and apple have beneficial qualities for human health. The best option for those who are not able to decide and love these fruits equally is to use them in turn.

What vitamins are in a pear

The benefits of a pear for the human body in the content of a whole vitamin complex necessary for health:

• vitamins of group B;
• ascorbic acid;
• retinol;
• vitamin E.

It also contains trace elements and minerals:

• iodine;
• boron;
• zinc;
• manganese;
• fluorine;
• silicon;
• sulfur;
• phosphorus;
• iron.

Due to the high content of folic acid, the fruits are recommended for use during pregnancy. The benefits of pears for the intestines are the presence of fiber in the composition, which contributes to its cleansing. The pulp is rich in organic acids and flavonoids.

Why is pear useful?

Useful properties of pears for the human body with regular use:

• increased immunity;
• improving the work of the cardiovascular system;
• raising the level of hemoglobin in the blood;
• lowering body temperature due to arbutin in the composition;
• normalization of the digestive tract;
• elimination of beriberi;
• strengthening of bone tissue, hair and nails;
• replenishment of energy reserves;
• getting rid of stress and depression;
• help in the work of the thyroid gland;
• cleansing the liver of toxins and toxins.

The benefits of pear fruits for those who like to drink or just for those who have gone overboard are the reduction of alcohol intoxication with a hangover syndrome. Fruit juice will quickly eliminate a headache and replenish the body with the missing fluid.

What is useful pear for a woman’s body

The main benefit for women is anti-aging properties. The fruit contains vitamin E and a large amount of antioxidants that can slow down the aging process of cells. The low calorie content of the fruit allows it to be consumed without harm to the figure.

Pear helps to cope with depression and has an analgesic effect during menstruation. During the period of ovulation, the benefits of the fruit are the normalization of the hormonal background of a woman. Pear fruits will relieve the consequences of the completion of hormone production in the ovaries (menopause).

Benefit for women after 50 – protection against cancer. Vitamin C and copper, which is part of the composition, prevent the development of tumors, protecting the body at the cellular level.

Cosmetologists recommend using the pulp of the fruit as a face mask. They will help smooth mimic wrinkles, give the skin a fresh look. Pear juice lightens pigmented formations on the body. It is enough to moisten a swab in nectar and regularly wipe the problem areas.

Why are pears useful for men

Due to the properties of the pear to strengthen the hair structure, when applied externally, it will benefit men suffering from early baldness. To do this, take the pulp of the fruit, mix with honey 1 tbsp. l. Add the same amount of burdock oil and rub the resulting mixture into the problem area. The mask is kept for 30 minutes. Then wash your hair with shampoo.

Regular intake of fruits normalizes potency in men. You need to eat 2 pears daily. Males who play sports or perform heavy physical exertion every day should consume fruit 3 times a day to replenish their energy reserves.

Pear fruits have a therapeutic effect against diseases of the genitourinary system. They are used for prophylactic purposes at the risk of developing prostatitis.

The benefits of pears for pregnant women

Women in position are recommended to use the fruit due to the low percentage of allergic reactions.

The high content of folic acid is beneficial for the baby, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy. It prevents the development of various pathologies and helps to properly form the brain. The presence of vitamin C has a preventive and curative effect against infectious diseases.

The pear replenishes the reserves of calcium and potassium in the body of a woman. Saves from anemia, due to the high concentration of iron in the composition.

Pears for pregnant women – the benefits and harms at the same time, if you do not follow the consumption norms per day. Women in position are allowed to eat no more than 3 medium fruits per day.

Useful properties of a pear for a child’s body

The presence of vitamins and minerals is an undeniable benefit for the child. The absence of allergy-provoking components makes the pear one of the first fruits allowed for breastfeeding. You can start introducing juice into the baby’s diet from 4 months after birth, and pear puree from 6 months.

If the child is prone to allergic manifestations, then you should be careful with pear fruits. Despite being hypoallergenic, they may contain harmful enzymes. Therefore, it is better to try to introduce fruit into the diet in a baked form. Heat treatment destroys unnecessary components.

A dried pear will help get rid of fever, diarrhea and colds. A decoction is boiled from the dried slices and the child is soldered. Seeds have an anthelmintic effect and help with gastrointestinal disorders.

Is a pear good for weight loss

The main benefit of fruits is the cleansing of the body of toxins and toxins, the acceleration of metabolism. The low calorie content (50 kcal per 100 g) of the fruit and the ability to quickly burn fat did not go unnoticed. Therefore, it is included in the menu of most diets.

How much can you eat while losing weight

Not only benefit, but also harm a pear can cause a figure. Therefore, it is important to observe the mode of use so as not to gain excess. Rules for limited food using fruit:

1. A typical 7-day diet involves eating 2 to 6 fruits per day.
2. To get the maximum benefit, you need to eat a pear with a skin.
3. Eat 1 hour before a main meal or half an hour after a meal.
4. With limited nutrition, freshly squeezed juice is also useful.

With any diet, you cannot limit yourself to one eating of fruit. It is necessary to eat a balanced diet, taking into account the calorie content of each product.

Is it possible to eat pears at night

Experts recommend eating fruit in the first half of the day. But there is no prohibition on eating a pear before bedtime. It is only necessary to limit their number to 1 pc. You need to choose a sweet and sour variety. It has less sugar content.

How many carbs are in a pear

The benefit of pear fruit lies in the nutrient content. 100 g contains:

• proteins – 0,4 g;
• fats – 0,3 g;
• carbohydrates – 10

This composition makes the fruit product low in calories. Calorie content per 100 g is approximately 50 kcal. Therefore, the use of pears is allowed for diabetes, but under strict control of changes in blood sugar levels.

Harms of pears

“The pear contains a lot of sugars, it should not be used for diabetes and peptic ulcer. This fruit is an allergen, it should be given to children carefully. The pear contains a lot of coarse fibers and you need to use them in moderation, otherwise you can earn diarrhea.

The pear is a seasonal fruit, so it is best to eat it at this time. Out of season, plants are treated with a harmful carcinogen, ”says  gastroenterologist.

What is the best way to eat pears?

Now there are many options for use:

• juices;
• jams;
• decoctions;
• drying;
• candied fruit;
• jam.

But there are great benefits from eating fresh fruits or juice from them, prepared on their own without the addition of preservatives and dyes. In the absence of heat treatment, all chemicals are preserved in their original form.

The use of pear in medicine

Active substances are extracted from the pear, which are then used in the manufacture of drugs. For example, arbutin with antiseptic properties is included in the composition of drugs for the treatment of the kidneys and urinary tract.

There are also numerous studies on the beneficial properties of pears. One of them studied the effect of pear consumption on the state of the heart. For three months, middle-aged and elderly people consumed a pear, and the second group – a placebo. Those who ate the pear showed a tendency for their blood pressure to drop as the heart contracted.

Another study was carried out on mice. The anti-diabetic properties of pears have been studied. Pear extract inhibited the development of type 2 diabetes.

Also, the extract is often used in cosmetology. It reduces oiliness of the skin, reduces pores and enriches the skin with vitamins and vegetable acids.

Contraindications

It is necessary for people with gastrointestinal problems to limit the eating of pear fruits. Also, their use is prohibited in inflammatory processes (ulcer, gastritis, colitis). They can aggravate the course of the disease due to the high content of fiber. It irritates the stomach lining.

Elderly people are better off eating baked fruit. Raw pear is poorly absorbed and digested, causing fermentation, as well as increased gas formation in the intestines.

How to choose and store a pear

Pears are sold fresh, as well as dried and dried. Keep in mind that the concentration of substances in dried fruits increases several times, so the calorie content of such a product is higher. When choosing a dried pear, pay attention to the absence of mold and parasites.

Fresh pears can be bought and not fully ripe. They “reach” well in a few days in a warm room. Overripe pods are definitely not worth taking – they deteriorate very quickly.

Inspect the peel – it should not have dark spots, soft dents and wormholes. A loose and too fragrant pear is overripe and is already starting to rot. Solid and odorless, on the contrary, not ripe.

It is better to store pears in the refrigerator, this extends the period by at least a week. In the room, fruits quickly begin to rot, ripe in a few days. The pear is one of the most poorly stored fruits.

The best time to buy is the harvest season, that is, summer and early autumn.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of pears for the body are incomparable. The fruit has a lot of useful qualities necessary for a person. Harmful effects are possible if sweet fruits are abused.