Fascinating Facts …

  • Not all pears are pear-shaped. In fact, Asian pears (also called Nashi pears) look almost exactly like apples.
  • In China, it’s considered bad luck for friends to share a pear, because the Chinese words for “to share a pear” also mean “to separate”.
  • There are many types of pear trees from all over the world, but only a few of them bear fruit that people can eat. Most of the pears we eat today are varieties of the European pear, Pyrus communis.
100

Calories per pear

41

Low glycemic index

20%

Of your recommended daily fibre

Nutrition

Just one medium sized pear can provide 10 percent of your daily vitamin C and vitamin K requirements. It will also supply more than 20 percent of your daily fibre needs, and 6 percent of your daily potassium intake. Many people don’t get enough potassium in their diets, but it’s important for heart health, as it lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow.

Pears contain essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, copper and iron. The copper in pears helps your body absorb other important minerals, while iron is vital for preventing anemia.

Pears also contain vitamin A, carotenoids and flavonols. These have antioxidant effects, which can help reduce the signs of aging.

Pears are considered to be one of the most easily digested fruits, and one of the least likely to cause an allergic reaction, so they’re often used for baby food and by people following a low allergy diet. Pears are free from sodium, fat and cholesterol.

Pears for healthy weight

Pears are a high-energy and high-nutrition fruit, but they are also one of the lowest-calorie fruits. With less than 100 calories in an average pear, they’re an excellent alternative to other sweet snacks.

Pears contain glucose and fructose, which supply a natural energy boost. But, because they have a low glycemic index of only 41, theses sugars are absorbed more slowly and don’t cause a blood sugar spike.

An average pear can also contain as much as 20 percent of your daily dietary fibre needs. Fibre helps keep you fuller for longer, and improves digestion. Increasing your fibre intake is one way to assist weight loss and prevent obesity.

Choosing pears

Pears don’t keep very long once they’re ripe, so the pears you find in the shops will usually be unripe. You can easily ripen them at home by keeping them at room temperature.

Check that pears are firm, with smooth skin that’s free of bruises. Also avoid pears with punctures or dark spots. Pears vary widely in colour, and some may have light brown or russet speckles. This is not usually a defect, and can even be a sign of better flavour.