Health Benefits
| Nutritional value per 100 g (3.5 oz) | |
|---|---|
| Energy | 242 kJ (58 kcal) |
| Carbohydrates | 15.46 g |
| - Sugars | 9.80 g |
| - Dietary fiber | 3.1 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Protein | 0.38 g |
| Thiamine (vit. B1) | 0.012 mg (1%) |
| Riboflavin (vit. B2) | 0.025 mg (2%) |
| Niacin (vit. B3) | 0.157 mg (1%) |
| Pantothenic acid (B5) | 0.048 mg (1%) |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.028 mg (2%) |
| Folate (vit. B9) | 7 μg (2%) |
| Vitamin C | 4.2 mg (5%) |
| Calcium | 9 mg (1%) |
| Iron | 0.17 mg (1%) |
| Magnesium | 7 mg (2%) |
| Phosphorus | 11 mg (2%) |
| Potassium | 119 mg (3%) |
| Zinc | 0.10 mg (1%) |
| Percentages are relative to US recommendations for adults. |
|
Pears are a good source of dietary fiber and a good source of vitamin C. Most of the vitamin C, as well as the dietary fiber, is contained within the skin of the fruit. According to the FDA's final rule dated July 25, 2006 "Food Labeling; Guidelines for Voluntary Nutrition Labeling of Raw Fruits, Vegetables, and Fish," the nutritional content of a medium-sized fresh pear weighing 166g/5.9oz is as follows:
| Calories | 100 |
| Sodium: | 0 mg/0% |
| Potassium: | 190 mg/5% |
| Total carbohydrate: | 26 mg/9% |
| Dietary Fiber: | 6g/24% |
| Sugars: | 16g |
| Protein: | 1g |
| Vitamin C: | 10% |
| Calcium: | 2% |
Pears are less allergenic than many other fruits, and pear juice is therefore sometimes used as the first juice introduced to infants. However, caution is recommended for all fruit juice consumption by infants, as studies have suggested a link between excessive fruit juice consumption and reduced nutrient intake, as well as a tendency towards obesity. Pears are low in salicylates and benzoates, so are recommended in exclusion diets for allergy sufferers. Along with lamb and rice, pears may form part of the strictest exclusion diet for allergy sufferers.
Most of the fiber is insoluble, making pears a good laxative.
Read more about this topic: Pear
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