Mother nature has gifted us with a lot of amazing fruits that are delicious in taste and provide many health benefits. Some popular fruits in India are mangoes, apples, bananas, grapes, berries, and pineapples. A few of them can be found throughout the year, while the rest can be enjoyed during a particular season. Talking about the current season, pears are one of the healthy fruits that are available on the market.
Pears belong to the genus Pyrus and are a part of the Rosaceae family, which also includes apples and cherries. Pears have a distinctive bell-like shape with a round base that tapers towards the stem. Their skin can vary in colour, ranging from green to yellow to shades of red and brown, depending on the variety.
The flesh of a ripe pear is soft and succulent, offering a delicate texture that is both smooth and slightly grainy. When fully ripe, pears are incredibly juicy, with a refreshing and sweet taste that can sometimes be slightly tangy or floral, depending on the variety. Some common flavours found in pears include hints of citrus, honey, and vanilla. They pair wonderfully with various ingredients, from creamy cheeses and nuts to spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.
Also known as nashpati, this crunchy fruit is known to provide relief from the hot weather and boost immunity. It is loaded with fibre, antioxidants, minerals, and many other nutrients. They can be poached with wine, vinegar, spices, and sugar to be topped on salads, pancakes, or waffles. They can be eaten on their own. Apart from enjoying it on its own, pear fruit is enjoyed in juice, smoothies, bread, cakes, salads, mousse, rabri, halwa, and so on.
Here are five reasons to include pear fruit in your diet:
Good For Gut Health
Pear is high in soluble and insoluble fibre, which keeps the digestive system healthy. According to Healthline, it promotes bowel regularity, provides constipation relief, and is also responsible for feeding healthy gut bacteria. A healthy gut is also good for boosting immunity. Just make sure to eat the pear with its skin on to get the most fibre from the fruit.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Pears are a good source of flavonoids and other antioxidant components that help reduce inflammation and decrease the risk of many diseases. It is also rich in nutrients like copper, vitamin C, and vitamin K that contribute to combating inflammation. According to HealthifyMe, eating pears has a positive effect on arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease.
Support Heart Health
Pears are high in potassium and antioxidant content, which help manage blood pressure, which in turn reduces the risk of stroke. According to Healthline, this fruit contributes to decreasing the stiffness in the heart tissue, lowering LDL (bad cholesterol), and increasing HDL (good cholesterol). It is also known for reducing the risk of diabetes.
Aid Weight Loss
If you are planning to shed some extra kilos from your body, then this fruit is an ideal addition to your diet. They are low in calories, high in water, and loaded with fibre that helps keep you full for a long time, leading to consuming fewer calories in a day. As stated earlier, pear also aids healthy digestion, which in turn is good for weight loss.