cooking.com.au cooking.com.au cooking.com.au cooking.com.au cooking.com.au

Pear - offer numerous health benefits due to their high fiber, vitamin, and antioxidant content.

Kid holding up two pears

1. Pear Facts
2. Types of Pears
3. Nutritional Value of Pears
4. Health Benefits of Pear


Pear Facts

History and Origin


Types of Pear

Types of Pears grown and sold in Australia
  • • Packham's Triumph
  • • Williams' Bon Chretien
  • • Beurré Bosc
  • • Corella
  • • Red Anjou
  • • Red Sensation
  • • Josephine de Malines
  • • Winter Nelis
  • • Nashi

 

The main pear varieties grown and sold in Australia are Packham's Triumph, Williams' Bon Chretien, Beurré Bosc, and Corella. Packham's are the most popular for fresh consumption and export, while Williams are often used for processing, and Beurré Bosc and Corella are also widely available for fresh eating and cooking. Other varieties like Red Anjou, Red Sensation, and Josephine de Malines are also grown.

 

Major varieties

Packham's Triumph: The most popular pear in Australia, known for being juicy and sweet with a smooth, green-yellow skin. It is the most popular export pear and is also sold fresh.

Williams' Bon Chretien: Also known as Bartlett, this pear is popular for its juicy texture and is often used for canning and processing.

Beurré Bosc: A sweet, juicy pear with a firmer flesh, making it suitable for both fresh eating and cooking.

Corella: A smaller, Australian-developed pear with a sweet, mild flavour and a red blush on its green skin.

 

Other varieties

Red Anjou: A variety with a ruby-coloured skin that develops as it ripens.

Red Sensation: A red-skinned pear with creamy white flesh.

Josephine de Malines: A sweet, soft pear that is often used for cooking.

Winter Nelis: A good cooking pear that is harvested in winter.

Nashi: While technically a Japanese word for "pear," these are also sold in Australia. They have a more apple-like texture and are best eaten crisp.

 


Pear Nutritional Value

Fruit ” Pear ” ( Nutritional value )
Nutritional value per 100 g
Pears, raw

Weight of Fruit – 1 cup, slices = 140 g
Nutrient ( Proximate’s )
Unit
Value
Daily Value %
Energy
kcal
57
2.8%
Protein
g
0.36
0.7%
Total lipid (fat)
g
0.14
0.1%
Carbohydrate, by difference
g
15.23
5.5%
Fiber, total dietary
g
3.1
11%
Sugars, total
g
9.75
Minerals
Calcium, Ca
mg
9
0.6%
Iron, Fe
mg
0.18
1%
Magnesium, Mg
mg
7
1.6%
Phosphorus, P
mg
12
0.9%
Potassium, K
mg
116
2.4%
Sodium, Na
mg
1
0.04%
Zinc, Zn
mg
0.10
0.9%
Copper, Cu
mg
0.082
3.1%
Manganese, Mn
mg
0.048
2%
Selenium, Se
mcg
0.1
0.1%
Fluoride, F
mcg
2.2
Vitamins
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid
mg
4.3
4.7%
Thiamin (B-1)
mg
0.012
1.2%
Riboflavin (B-2)
mg
0.026
2%
Niacin (B-3)
mg
0.161
1%
Pantothenic acid (B-5)
mg
0.049
0.9%
Vitamin B-6
mg
0.029
1.7%
Vitamin B-12
mg
0.00
Folate  DFE (dietary folate) (B-9)
mcg
7
1.7%
Vitamin A, RAE (retinol)
mcg
1
0.1%
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol)
mg
0.12
0.8%
Vitamin D (D2 + D3)
mcg
0
Vitamin K (phylloquinone)
mcg
4.4
3.6%
Lipids
Saturated Fatty Acids
g
0.022
0.1%
Monounsaturated Fatty Acids
g
0.084
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
g
0.094
Trans Fatty Acids
g
0.000
Carotenoids
Beta-Carotene
mcg
14
Alpha-Carotene
mcg
1
Beta-Cryptoxanthin
mcg
2
Lutein + zeaxanthin
mcg
44
Pear

Reference Values are based on a 2,000 Calorie Intake, for Adults and Children 4 or More Years of Age. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Percentages are roughly approximated using (RDA) Recommended Dietary Allowances for adults. Source: Nutrient Database – USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)
Reference Values for Nutrition – FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Pear Nutritional Value



Pear Health Benefits

Pears offer numerous health benefits due to their high fiber, vitamin, and antioxidant content. They support digestive health, help manage weight, and can reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, certain cancers, and type 2 diabetes. Eating pears can also boost your immune system, and they are a good source of potassium, which is important for heart function. 

 

Other benefits not listed on table below;

Anti-inflammatory properties - Pears have anti-inflammatory properties due to their rich content of antioxidants like flavonoids, phenolic acids (such as arbutin and chlorogenic acid), and triterpenoids, which can help reduce inflammation in the body. These compounds work by inhibiting pro-inflammatory enzymes like COX-2 and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory benefits may also contribute to other health advantages, such as supporting heart health and soothing intestinal irritation.

Lower risk of type 2 diabetes - Pears are associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes due to their high fiber content and low glycaemic index. Studies show that regular consumption of pears and other whole fruits may lead to an 18% reduction in type 2 diabetes risk, with a 3% lower risk for each additional serving per week.

Helps with weight loss - Yes, pears can help with weight loss because they are high in fiber and water, which promotes fullness and helps control appetite. Studies show that incorporating pears into a daily diet can lead to weight loss and a reduction in waist circumference.

 


  • SUPPORT BONE HEALTH
    Pear’s support bone health by providing essential nutrients like boron, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, and copper. These minerals and vitamins help prevent bone mineral loss and reduce the risk of conditions like osteoporosis, as they are involved in bone growth, development, and calcium absorption.
  • CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION
    Pears help prevent chronic diseases due to their high levels of antioxidants, fiber, and other beneficial compounds. They can protect against heart disease by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, and have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Additionally, the fiber in pears aids digestion, and some studies suggest they can help with weight management and may even lower the risk of stroke.
  • HELP WITH HEART HEALTH
    Pear’s support heart health by being rich in fiber, which helps lower cholesterol, and potassium, which regulates blood pressure. They also contain antioxidants like flavonoids and procyanidins that reduce inflammation, improve blood vessel health, and may lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Additionally, pears are naturally low in sodium and free of saturated fat and cholesterol, making them a heart-healthy choice.
  • LOWER CANCER RISK
    Pears can help lower the risk of certain cancers due to their content of antioxidants and fiber. Epidemiological studies have linked pear consumption to a lower risk of lung and bladder cancers, and research indicates that the phytochemicals in pears may have anticancer properties by fighting inflammation and cellular damage.
Pear
Pear
HEALTH
  • IMMUNE SYSTEM SUPPORT
    Pears support the immune system due to their high levels of vitamin C, which stimulates white blood cell production, and antioxidants, which protect the body from harmful free radicals. They also contain fiber, which promotes gut health, and other nutrients that contribute to overall wellness, such as potassium for heart health and copper for red blood cell production.
  • RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS
    pears are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, quercetin, and anthocyanins, which help fight cell damage from free radicals and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Eating pears with the skin is recommended to maximize antioxidant intake, as many of these beneficial compounds are concentrated there.
  • PROVIDES ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS
    Pears provide essential nutrients like fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants, which support digestive, heart, and immune health. They also contain other vital minerals such as copper, magnesium, manganese, and boron, which are important for bone health, red blood cell production, and overall cell function.
  • SUPPORTS GUT BACTERIA
    Pear’s support gut bacteria because they are rich in dietary fiber, which acts as a prebiotic. This fiber, especially pectin, feeds beneficial bacteria in the gut, helping them thrive and produce short-chain fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties. Pears also contribute to overall digestive health by aiding in regular bowel movements and providing antioxidants that protect the gut lining.

References


Nutrient Database – USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)

Reference Values for Nutrition – FDA U.S. Food and Drug Administration

 

Supports gut bacteria - Pear’s support gut bacteria because they are rich in dietary fiber, which acts as a prebiotic. This fiber, especially pectin, feeds beneficial bacteria in the gut, helping them thrive and produce short-chain fatty acids that have anti-inflammatory properties. Pears also contribute to overall digestive health by aiding in regular bowel movements and providing antioxidants that protect the gut lining.

Chronic disease prevention - Pears help prevent chronic diseases due to their high levels of antioxidants, fiber, and other beneficial compounds. They can protect against heart disease by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure, reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, and have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Additionally, the fiber in pears aids digestion, and some studies suggest they can help with weight management and may even lower the risk of stroke.

Help with Heart health - Pear’s support heart health by being rich in fiber, which helps lower cholesterol, and potassium, which regulates blood pressure. They also contain antioxidants like flavonoids and procyanidins that reduce inflammation, improve blood vessel health, and may lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Additionally, pears are naturally low in sodium and free of saturated fat and cholesterol, making them a heart-healthy choice.

Lower cancer risk - Pears can help lower the risk of certain cancers due to their content of antioxidants and fiber. Epidemiological studies have linked pear consumption to a lower risk of lung and bladder cancers, and research indicates that the phytochemicals in pears may have anticancer properties by fighting inflammation and cellular damage.

Lower risk of type 2 diabetes - Pears are associated with a lower risk of type 2 diabetes due to their high fiber content and low glycaemic index. Studies show that regular consumption of pears and other whole fruits may lead to an 18% reduction in type 2 diabetes risk, with a 3% lower risk for each additional serving per week.

Helps with weight loss - Pears can help with weight loss because they are high in fiber and water, which promotes fullness and helps control appetite. Studies show that incorporating pears into a daily diet can lead to weight loss and a reduction in waist circumference.

Immune system support - Pears support the immune system due to their high levels of vitamin C, which stimulates white blood cell production, and antioxidants, which protect the body from harmful free radicals. They also contain fiber, which promotes gut health, and other nutrients that contribute to overall wellness, such as potassium for heart health and copper for red blood cell production.

Anti-inflammatory properties - Pears have anti-inflammatory properties due to their rich content of antioxidants like flavonoids, phenolic acids (such as arbutin and chlorogenic acid), and triterpenoids, which can help reduce inflammation in the body. These compounds work by inhibiting pro-inflammatory enzymes like COX-2 and suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines. The anti-inflammatory benefits may also contribute to other health advantages, such as supporting heart health and soothing intestinal irritation.

Bone health - Pear’s support bone health by providing essential nutrients like boron, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, and copper. These minerals and vitamins help prevent bone mineral loss and reduce the risk of conditions like osteoporosis, as they are involved in bone growth, development, and calcium absorption.

Provides essential nutrients - Pears provide essential nutrients like fiber, potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants, which support digestive, heart, and immune health. They also contain other vital minerals such as copper, magnesium, manganese, and boron, which are important for bone health, red blood cell production, and overall cell function.

Rich in antioxidants - Pears are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C, quercetin, and anthocyanins, which help fight cell damage from free radicals and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Eating pears with the skin is recommended to maximize antioxidant intake, as many of these beneficial compounds are concentrated there.


For More Information