IT is often said that the best way to bring a fever down quickly is by drinking a big glass of pear juice. This is attributed to its excellent cooling effect. This soft, juicy and buttery fruit has more to it than its cooling effect. Let’s explore the nutritional benefits of this gift of nature.
Due to its high content of fructose and glucose, pears are a natural and quick source of energy. They are also a good source of dietary fibre, which sure helps prevent constipation and ensures regular bowel movement. Fibre binds to bile salts in the colon and carries them out of the body.
Since bile salts are made from cholesterol, the body must break down more cholesterol to make more bile, a substance that is also necessary for digestion. The end result is a lowering of cholesterol levels. So pear in effect, can help lower your cholesterol levels.
Fibre also binds to cancer-causing chemicals in the colon, preventing them from damaging colon cells. This may be one reason why diets high in fibre-rich foods, such as pears, are associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer.
Pears are also rich in copper which helps protect the body from free radical damage eliminating superoxide radicals all the way. Superoxide radicals are a type of free radical generated during normal metabolism, as well as when white blood cells attack invading bacteria and viruses.
The can damage cell membranes if not eliminated quickly. In addition, low dietary intake of copper is associated with risk factors for colon cancer. So, step up your intake of pear as this tasty fruit may be very beneficial for colonic health.
In the introduction of first fruits to infants, pear is often recommended as a safe way to start. This is because it is a hypoallergenic fruit that is less likely to produce an adverse response than other fruits.
Your pear juice can come in handy when you are about to come down with a flu because it is rich in vitamin C and anti-oxidant nutrients, which also helps to build up your immune system. To derive full benefits, it is better to eat the pear with the skin. This is due to the fact that the pear skin contains the majority of its antioxidants.
Pears are also safe for diabetics because of its low glycemic index of 38. Low-GI foods are digested and absorbed more slowly, producing a more gradual rise in blood glucose levels making them better and healthier choices for people living with diabetes.
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