Pears had their origin centuries ago in middle Asia. By the 9th Century BC, Greeks were cultivating the fruit and heralding pears as a gift of the gods. Pears are in season at this time of the month and it is a great choice to add to your diet.If you love the taste of sweetness but want to be careful about not consuming to many refined sugar laden treats, one of the best things for you to eat is a pear. It is sweet and succulent and you can make some pretty delicious desserts by using them as a manin ingredient.
But first - here are the health benefits you will receive by eating this "gift from the Gods". I think you will be blow away by this list. I was!
Health benefits of pears:
- Blood pressure: Pears have anti-oxidant and anti-carcinogen glutathione which help prevent high blood pressure and stroke
- Cancer prevention: Pears are a wonderful source of vitamin C and copper and they act as good anti-oxidants that protect cells from damages by free radicals.
- Cholesterol: Pears are also a great source of water-soluble fiber, especially pectin. And pectin helps you to balance cholesterol levels.
- Colon health: Eat pear whole for its precious fiber that are highly beneficial for your colon health.
- Constipation: the pectin in pears is diuretic and have a mild laxative effect. Drinking pear juice regularly helps regulate bowel movements.
- Inflammation: Pear juice has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps relieve sufferers of much pain in various inflammatory conditions.
- Throat problems: Just as apples, pears are great for clearing the heat from your body. And autumn is the season where we focus in clearing the heat from the body. Too much heat will show up as achy throats and constant coughs. Pears will nourish your throat and soothe coughs.
- Fever: The cooling effect in pear is excellent in relieving fever. Best way to bring a fever down quickly is by drinking a big glass of pear juice.
- First fruit to infants: Pears are often recommended by healthcare practitioners as a hypoallergenic fruit that is less likely to produce an adverse response than other fruits. Particularly in the introduction of first fruits to infants, pear is often recommended as a safe way to start.
- Osteoporosis: Pears contain high level of boron. Boron helps the body to retain calcium, thus prevents or retards osteoporosis.
How to select:
Look for pears that are firm, but not too hard. They should have a smooth skin that is free of bruises or mold.
Since pears are very perishable once they are ripe, the pears you find at the market will generally be unripe and will require a few days of maturing. Leave them at room temperature in a dark place to ripen. Make sure it is stored in an open area, not in a bag or your fridge.
I encourage you to buy organic. They are one of the highly sprayed fruits and vegetables.
How to enjoy:
Since their skin provides some of their fiber, it is best to not peel the fruit but eat the entire pear. Once cut, pears will oxidize quickly and turn a brownish color. You can help to prevent this by applying some lemon, lime or orange juice to the flesh.
Serving ideas:
- Add chopped pears to your morning porridge and pair with warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger or clove.
- Eat it sliced as a snack.
- Add some goat cheese to sliced pears. Makes a delicious and divine dessert.
- Add them to your green salads with nuts and gorgonzola (yum)
- Poach in apple juice or wine.
- Use it in recipes that calls for apples (jams, pies, sauces or bread recipes)
- Add to fall smoothies with a warming spice like ginger (this morning drink will be part of my upcoming fall cleanse)
- There are many varieties of pears. If I were to recommend a pear to eat that provides the most nutrients and taste the best the Comice Pear would be the one.
Join my food based REVITALIZE. 7 Day Fall Cleanse Program and enjoy the bounty of the fall season including some wonderful pear recipes. Click HERE for details.