by
Stepy —
January 11, 2019
- Pears are nutritional powerhouses.
- Lets take a look at their health benefits.
- Antioxidant rich:
- Pears are high in antioxidants, which help fight the effects of oxidative stress. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, “oxidative stress is the total burden placed on organisms by the constant production of free radicals in the normal course of metabolism plus whatever other pressures the environment brings to bear (natural and artificial radiation, toxins in air, food and water; and miscellaneous sources of oxidizing activity, such as tobacco smoke).” Oxidative stress is often linked to chronic diseases including heart disease and cancer.
- Anti-inflammatory:
- The wide variety of phytonutrients in pears provide powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. They are especially high in a specific type of phytonutrients called flavonoids, a Baltimore longitudinal study confirms. The study showed that a combination of apples and pears ranked second highest amongst all fruits and vegetables in flavonoids. These potent anti-inflammatory agents help reduce chronic inflammation, which is a major factor for several serious diseases including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
- Cancer prevention:
- Pears are an excellent source of fiber, which is believed to be important for cancer prevention. Dietary fiber binds with bile and removes it from the intestines. When there is excess bile, the risk of colon cancer is greatly increased. By controlling the levels of bile, pears help reduce the risk of cancer. Pears may also lower the risk of esophageal cancer, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health and the American Association of Retired Persons.
- Heart health:
- When the fiber in pears binds with bile acids, it also reduces the production of cholesterol. It is important to maintain healthy levels of cholesterol when it comes to heart health.
- Hydration:
- According to the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, pears have water content ranging anywhere from 83-88 percent, depending on the species. As we know, water is life, and it is essential to our bodies. It helps maintain our bodies fluids, aids in weight loss, keeps skin and hair healthy, flushes out toxins, and so much more.
- REFERENCES:
- 1. “Flavonoid Intakes in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.” ScienceDirect.com. Science Direct, Dec. 2011. Web. 29 Aug. 2013.
- 2. “Dietary Intake of Polyphenols, Nitrate and Nitrite and Gastric Cancer Risk in Mexico City.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 Sept. 2009. Web. 29 Aug. 2013.
- 3. “Fruit and Vegetable Intake and Esophageal Cancer in a Large Prospective Cohort Study.” National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 15 Dec. 2007. Web. 29 Aug. 2013.
- 4. “Why Cholesterol Matters.” Heart.org. American Heart Assocation, n.d. Web. 29 Aug. 2013.
- 5. Weil, Andrew, MD, DrPH. “Stumped by Oxidative Stress?” DrWeil.com. WEIL, n.d. Web. 29 Aug. 2013.
