Nutrition Facts for Pears
Nutritional Information for Pears, (178g)
Calories: 101
Fat: 0.3g
Sodium: 1.8mg
Carbohydrates: 27g
Fiber: 5.5g
Sugars: 17g
Protein: 0.6 g
Carbohydrates
Pears are a great source of insoluble fiber, with one medium-sized fruit containing nearly 6 grams (22 percent of the recommended daily amount). Fiber is the indigestible part of carbohydrates and helps promote bowel regularity
Pears are high in fructose and other sugars.
Fats
Pears contain small amounts of saturated and unsaturated fats.
Protein
Pears contain very little protein and are not a complete source of all essential amino acids, but they do contain trace amounts of the amino acids, leucine, lysine and glutamic acid.
Vitamins and minerals
Pears are a good source of vitamin C, containing about 13% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin C. One pear contains 6% of the daily recommended amount of copper and 6% of the daily recommended amount of potassium.5 The skin of the pear is where most of its fiber is present and is high in nutrients, so it's best to eat this fruit on the skin.
Health benefits
Like many fruits and vegetables, pears have health advantages due to their fiber and antioxidants.
Helps repair cells
A medium-sized pear contains about 8 milligrams of vitamin C. This vitamin is important for cell growth and repair and for preventing oxidative damage.
Pears are used in folk medicine to treat hangovers, and in fact, at least one small study suggests that pear juice does help with some of the symptoms of a hangover, such as drunkenness, lack of concentration, and sensitivity to voices and sounds.
While food allergies to pears are very rare, people with birch pollen allergies can develop an oral allergy to pears due to the similarity of the proteins.
Symptoms of this birch fruit syndrome are confined to the mouth and throat and usually appear within 5 to 15 minutes of eating raw pears. Boiled pears can make them safer to eat for those suffering from this condition.
Pears are one of the conventionally grown fruits that contain high levels of pesticide residue. Buy pears or wash them thoroughly before eating.
Most pears are harvested in the fall or winter, but they can be purchased year-round at the supermarket. When choosing fresh pears, look for firm and sturdy fruit that is slightly loose on the stem.
Storage and food safety
You can leave unripe pears in the refrigerator for several months, or at room temperature for a few days while they ripen. Once ripe, they will last only a few days at room temperature. You can extend their shelf life by keeping them in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
Freezing fresh pears is not recommended because the juice and fiber will separate during the melting process and the result will not be desirable. However, it is feasible to freeze cooked or processed pears (e.g., pear sauce). Before freezing, place the pear puree in an airtight container.