Pear is a seasonal fruit very tasty and rich in beneficial properties for our health. It is a very digestible fruit and suitable for everyone. Many varieties are present in nature. Recent studies have shown that the pear’s skin contains at least triple quantity of phytonutrients as compared to the pulp. These phytonutrients comprehend flavonoids with anti-inflammatory properties, anti-oxidants and cinnamic acids with anticancer properties.
It has a good quantity of anti-oxidative such as vitamins, beta-carotene, cryptoxanthin, lutein and zeaxanthin. For this reason, it is indicated to contrast the negative effects of free radicals with high benefits for the health.
Free radicals in fact, give origin to many diseases such as cancers and cardiovascular diseases. Eating pears is thus helpful to prevent heart-attacks, strokes and arteriosclerosis. Pear contains also glutathione, another anti-oxidative compost whose activity contrasts the free radicals.
A single portion of this fruit provides the 18% of daily fibre requirements.
This property has beneficial effects on the digestion. The fibre, in addition to ease the passage of food in the intestine, stimulates the production of gastric and digestive juices. Its activity is also helpful to prevent the constipation and diarrhoea, the fibre is a huge regulator for the digestive system. Finally, the nature of fibre present in pears, ensures that this ties to carcinogenic factors and helps expelling them from the body.
Always thanks to the potassium, the pear can have a very positive impact for the heart health. In addition to lowering the blood pressure, it increases also the blood flow towards all body organs. This way we have a higher oxygen provision and a better functionality of organs themselves.
The reduction of pression is also tied to a minor risk of cardiovascular diseases. This way, also the chance of stroke, heart-attack and arteriosclerosis is reduced.
Finally, the potassium acts as body fluids regulator. This means that potassium contributes in maintaining the body hydrated and grants the essential fluids balance inside the cells.
The pear is cultivated in all sides of the world. Also, in Italy its crops are widespread in all regions and particularly in Emilia Romagna, Trentino, Piedmont and Veneto. The ripening happens between June and September.