With summer in full swing, what better pick me up than the healthful pear! And who doesn’t like having a juicy and sweet, refreshing snack that is as easy on the go as anything else? How? Keep reading to discover the plethora of health benefits and thumbs up I have to deliver about pears!
Fiber
Pears are jam-packed full of healthy fiber, which will keep the body processing food and help to stimulate elimination, which is a necessity on such hot days! And the benefits don’t stop there!
Since they are so full of fiber and antioxidants, they help to fight many health issues while improving immunity.
Combating and kicking out cholesterol
The fiber in pears help to fight cholesterol, shuttling it out of the body, thereby protecting us from:
- heart disease
- stroke
- cancers, such as colon and breast (by binding to carcinogenic cells and removing them via waste)
And if that wasn’t enough, pears have a low glycemic index, controlling and stabilizing blood sugar levels and helping to prevent diabetes.
Vitamin C
Pears are super high in vitamin C, vitamin K and copper, and therefore rage an attack against free radicals. Free radicals damage our cells and create disease, so regularly cooling off with a pear in the dog days of summer is one way to ensure you stay healthy and hydrated!
Anti-carcinogens and antioxidants
The anti-carcinogen glutathione and the anti-oxidants found in pears also aid in controlling blood pressure. Much of the vitamin C in pears is found in the skin (the insoluble fiber) making the benefits of this fruit come full circle!
Hypoallergenic
Pears are also wonderfully hypoallergenic, making this fruit a deliciously healthy snack for everyone, even those who have food sensitivities and allergies. Enjoying this beneficial snack, with its sweet and juicy deliciousness is a no fail way to stay healthy, lean and hydrated this summer!
One of my favourite ways to enjoy pears (other than on their own) is in a pear and apple salad:
Jocelyn’s Simple Pear and Apple Salad
Ingredients:
1 chopped pear
1 chopped apple
Diced celery
Mixed greens/arugula/endive/radicchio (your choice)
A handful of walnuts or pecans
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients.
- Drizzle in a mixture of lemon juice and olive oil.
*Feel free to add lean protein
This article was written by the fabulous: Jocelyn Black. You’ll want to check out her site! The Naked Label loves Jocelyn and all the personalized “roadmapping to health” that she does. Discover her at A Holistic Affair by Clicking Here.
Flying high with all this great nutrition information and easy-to-make delicious summer-time recipes? Please tell us about it! Leave a comment below and help spread the word by sharing on facebook and twitter. We will love you for it!
Photo by: Cordelia McClellan.
