Pears are one of the most common fruits in autumn and winter, fresh, sweet, crisp, and juicy. Pears are rich in vitamins A, B complex, C, D, and E. One pear contains 10% of the "Recommended Daily Allowance" of vitamin C. Like apples, they also contain antioxidants that keep the body's cells and tissues healthy. Although pears are sweet, they are very low in calories and fat, making them an ideal choice for those who love sweets but are afraid of gaining weight.
Eating pears prevents constipation and improves complexion.
People suffering from vitamin deficiency should also eat more pears. For those who appear pale due to anemia, eating more pears can improve their complexion. For patients with goiter, the iodine-rich in pears can have a certain therapeutic effect. Eating pears is also effective in treating diseases caused by enteritis, constipation, loss of appetite, indigestion, anemia, urethral redness and swelling, urinary stones, gout, and vitamin A deficiency.
Every 100 grams of pear contains 3 grams of fiber, which helps prevent constipation and digestive diseases, can purify the kidneys, and clean the intestines. People with chronic constipation should eat more pears, which also helps prevent colon and rectal cancer.
Eating a pear after a meal can prevent cancer.
Eating a pear after a meal can help the body excrete a large amount of carcinogens accumulated in the body. Survey results show that polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), strong carcinogens that accumulate in the body from smoking or eating grilled meat, are significantly reduced after eating pears. Researchers conducted an experiment on smokers, having them eat about 750 grams of pears daily for 4 consecutive days, and measured the levels of 1-hydroxypyrene, a metabolite of PAHs, in their urine before and after. The test found that eating a pear 6 hours after smoking, the level of 1-hydroxypyrene in the human blood is largely excreted in the urine. If no pear is eaten, only a small amount of the 1-hydroxypyrene toxin is excreted. Heated pear juice contains even more cancer-fighting substances—polyphenols. When mice injected with carcinogens were given this pear juice, a large amount of the 1-hydroxypyrene toxin was excreted in their urine, thus preventing cancer.
Different ways of eating pears have different health benefits.
Raw: There is a folk saying that "raw pears clear the heat of the six fu-organs, while cooked pears nourish the yin of the five zang-organs." Therefore, eating raw pears can significantly relieve symptoms such as dryness, itching, pain, hoarseness, and constipation with dark urine in patients with upper respiratory tract infections.
Juiced: Pears can be juiced, or boiled with a little rock sugar, along with ingredients like Peng Dahai (Sterculia lychnophora) and wintermelon seeds. This drink is beneficial for moisturizing the throat and replenishing body fluids, especially for those affected by dry weather, a 'fiery' constitution, a dry and sore throat, or a hoarse voice.
Steamed with rock sugar: This can nourish yin and moisten the lungs, relieve coughs and reduce phlegm, and has a good moisturizing and protective effect on the throat.
Pear beverages: "Pear syrup candy" is also famous both in China and abroad. It is made by simmering pears with honey and has a significant therapeutic effect on patients with chronic coughs due to lung heat.