What is a pear?

Pears are the fruit of the Pyrus communis species belonging to the Rosaceae family. It is native to European, African and Asian locations with a mild climate and usually in coastal regions.

 

What are the nutritional properties of the pear?

One hundred grams of pear (excluding skin) provide 35 calories, 94% of which are in the form of carbohydrates (8.8g of soluble sugars, 1.29g of soluble fiber and 2.56g of insoluble fiber), 3% is in the form of lipids and 3% proteins. To these add:

Among the phytonutrients present in this fruit we find chlorogenic acid, gentisic, syringic, vanillic, hydroxycinnamic, coumaric, arbutin, catechin and epicatechin, isorhamnetin, quercetin, kaempferol, beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin and in the cases of varieties with reddish skin, anthocyanins.

The peel contains a quantity of phenolic compounds 3-4 times higher than that present in the pulp.

 

When to not eat pears?

Currently there is insufficient information on possible interactions between the consumption of pears and taking medication.

 

Possible benefits and drawbacks of pear

Pears are renowned for their digestibility, for the sufficient intake of fiber associated with their consumption and the low allergenicity. They are recommended in cases of problems of digestion, spasms, colic issues, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, liver problems, tumors, fever and fluid retention conditions.

These fruits have another strong point, namely their phytonutrients. They provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Intake might contribute to reducing the risk of various chronic diseases that are based on chronic inflammation and excessive oxidative stress. Particularly diabetes type 2 and cardiovascular diseases. It also seems that eating pears helps reduce the risk of esophageal cancer.

 

Seasonality Pear

In Italy as in most places with a similar climate which produce pears, the season starts in August and ends in May.