Pear: all the properties and health benefits

The pear, native to eastern Europe and western Asia, It was one of the favorite fruits of the Persian kings and later became acclimatized in Greece, where the Romans became familiar with its cultivation.

They were the ones who spread it to the rest of Europe and introduced it to Spain through the Ebro basin. It was not usually missing at their banquets.

Currently, China leads the world production followed by Italy and the USA. Spain is among the major producers, especially of the summer varieties. In addition, a good part of the production is destined to the organic farming, high quality, for a market that does not stop growing.

pear properties

Its great juiciness makes it refreshing, useful to quench thirst, and a good resource against the summer heat, especially if it is taken in a smoothie.

It is a fruit that is very low in fat and protein, but it is a good source of energy thanks to its carbohydrates (10.6%). These are in the form of simple sugars, mostly fructose, which is well tolerated by diabetics.

Its contribution of vitamins is not extraordinary, but it contains 3 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams and also vitamin E, traces of provitamin A and folic acid.

Health benefits of pears

The virtues of the pear can be listed by saying that it is a diuretic, uricolytic (dissolves uric acid), cleansing, laxative, remineralizing, stomachic, astringent and sedative food.

So its use will be indicated above all in these cases: rheumatism, gout, arthritis, stress, anemia, diarrhea, obesity and arterial hypertension.

This fruit is a fast power source. Most of its calories are in the form of sugars, but due to the presence of levulose it is very well tolerated by diabetics. It is a fruit of easy and fast digestion when it is tender and ripe. Those who have a delicate digestive system can take it cooked. Thus, however, it loses a large part of its vitamin content, although not the minerals and carbohydrates. The pear exerts a mild astringent action and prevents putrefaction and intestinal flatulence, typical for example of colitis. It also favors the elimination of uric acid through the urine. It also has an alkalizing effect on the blood, which makes it indicated in cleansing diets, contributing to neutralize excess toxic waste characteristic of a diet rich in products of animal origin. It is also indicated in the case of excess weight. Indeed, when you want to eliminate fat or fight fluid retention, the pear is a very convenient food. Firstly because of its low caloric content and secondly because of its high diuretic power (greater elimination of water through urine). Furthermore, the pear hypotensive effect for its stimulating action on the formation of urine, which has been scientifically proven. This is due to the almost zero presence of sodium (which retains water, increasing blood volume and pressure) and its high potassium content (125 mg per 100 g), with the opposite effect.

It’s better with the skin

The presence of fiber and flavonoids is greater in the skin of the pear than in the pulp. Fiber, in addition to relieving constipation, slows the absorption of fruit sugars.

The flavonoids, natural pigments that protect the fruit from solar radiation, give it antioxidant properties.

These same pigments, in the organism, have the virtue of strengthen and rejuvenate tissues and improve the resistance and permeability of blood vessels.

The pear in the kitchen

There are more than a thousand varieties of pears, the most common in our markets being: lemon, ercolina, blanquilla or white from Aranjuez, Williams, Conference and San Juan Pear.

These varieties allow the pear to be available for most of the year, at a reasonable price and without having to resort to lifeless camera products.

They are ideal in juices and smoothies. and rThey are delicious in a salad. with mixed lettuces and nuts. The lettuces that go best with are endive and watercress, as they are softened.

Whenever the pear is cooked, in a compote, a tart or a crêpe, or simply when it is roasted, it is important enhance the flavor with some spice (ginger, cinnamon or star anise).

chocolate friend

The combination of this fruit with chocolate is also classic, and the recipe that best represents this exquisite alliance is that of “beautiful pears Helena”, an elegant but simple French dessert from 19th century Paris.

Another surprising pairing is with chestnuts, which can be enjoyed, for example, in a compote of pears and roasted chestnuts.

It can also be accompanied by dried fruits –walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts–, which can be added to mueslis or fruit salads along with other fruits, such as apples or bananas.

Conservation

After buying them, you have to eat them immediately or keep them in the lower part of the fridge, no more than two or three days.

They should not be stacked or stored in airtight containers or plastic bags. and you have to drizzle with lemon or submerge them with cold water so they do not darken.