This underrated fruit is seriously good for your gut and heart.
Though they are readily available, pears arent exactly the most popular fruit among Americans.
Insome surveys, pears barely make it into the top 40 fruits.
Photo:Nozdracheva/Getty Images
Pears are especially beneficial for gut and heart health.
The nutrients in pears look good on paper, but how do they benefit your health?
We spoke to registered dietitians to uncover the potential health benefits of pearsand there are a lot.
Here are the health benefits of pears that the pros highlighted.
Health Benefits of Pears
Pears are high in fiber.
What pears lack in popularity, they make up for in fiber.
Getting plenty of dietary fiber is crucial for healthy digestion, but its a nutrient many Americans are lacking.
If youre among that group, pears could be the high-fiber solution youre looking for.
So, why do you need fiber anyway?
Pears provide both types of fibersoluble and insoluble, Jones says.
They may help promote gut health by softening or bulking stools, making them easier to pass.
This could be especially beneficial for theestimated 4 million Americanswho struggle with constipation.
They support heart health.
Theres alsoplenty of researchsuggesting that a high-fiber diet can protect against cardiovascular diseases.
Along with fiber, pears are high in antioxidants.
They can improve the blood markers associated with heart health.
Pears could reduce the risk of jot down 2 diabetes.
There are many reasons why pears are good for blood sugar control.
How does it work?
Plus, eating more pears could contribute to a reduced risk for key in 2 diabetes.
They also enhance glycemic control.
Pears are a rich source of antioxidants.
Both of the registered dietitians we spoke to emphasized the impressive antioxidant content in pears.
They contain antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin K, quercetin, anthocyanin, and others.
Plus, the fiber in pears functions as an antioxidant, Jones says.
If youre trying to maximize your intake of antioxidants, dont peel your pears.
Most of the antioxidants in pears are concentrated in the peel, Pace says.
Pears have anti-inflammatory properties.
Inflammation gets a bad rap, but its actually your bodys way of protecting you.
Fortunately, diet is one of the ways you could reduce inflammation.
The anti-inflammatory properties of pears mainly come down to their high antioxidant content, per theCleveland Clinic.
Specifically, the flavonoids in pears have anti-inflammatory properties, Jones says.
Pears support a healthy gut microbiome.
Its laden with bacteria, but dont worryyour gut microbiome is also home to good bacteria.
The prebiotic fibers in pearshave been shownto stimulate those good bacteria, contributing to a healthy gut microbiota.
