The Ultimate Autumn Fruit for Bronchial Health: Pear Benefits & Calories

Through ‘The Ultimate Autumn Fruit for Bronchial Health: Pear Benefits & Calories‘ post on the benefits, nutritional content, calories, seasonal timing, selection, and storage of pears, let’s dive deep into everything you need to know about this autumn fruit for the bronchi.

To briefly describe pears:

“Natural tonic for the bronchi, a must-have autumn fruit.”

Pears are estimated to have been cultivated since around 5000 BCE and were regarded as a prized fruit, referred to as the “gift of the gods” in ancient Greece and Rome. It is said that in Rome, pears were enjoyed after meals to aid digestion. In China, traditionally known as “bai guo,” pears were boiled or juiced to alleviate colds or coughs. With such a long history, pears continue to be cherished for their health benefits, especially in autumn when they’re in season and often used as a medicinal ingredient.

Here, we’ve organized the benefits, nutritional content, seasonal timing, selection, and storage tips of pears in a visual format with illustrations and charts for easy understanding.

Let’s get started!

1. Anti-inflammatory Effects

* The flavonoids, polyphenols, and antioxidants found in pears help reduce inflammation by neutralizing free radicals and soothing inflammatory responses. Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, plays a significant role in suppressing inflammation, which is particularly beneficial for easing bronchial inflammation and improving breathing.

※ Flavonoids: Natural antioxidants produced by plants, possessing strong anti-inflammatory properties, and inhibit inflammatory mediators like prostaglandins.

※ Polyphenols: These compounds provide both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by neutralizing reactive oxygen species (ROS), one of the causes of inflammation.

※ Vitamin C: As a potent antioxidant, it neutralizes free radicals at inflammation sites, thus reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.

※ Main effects of pear’s anti-inflammatory properties:

– Respiratory inflammation relief: Eases bronchial inflammation and protects the mucous membranes, helping reduce coughs and phlegm.

– Joint and muscle inflammation relief: Eases inflammation and pain in the joints and muscles.

– Digestive inflammation relief: Eases symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases like colitis.

2. Improved Digestion

* The high dietary fiber content in pears absorbs water in the intestines, softening stool and promoting intestinal peristalsis. It also promotes the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and suppresses harmful bacteria, thus enhancing digestive health.

※ Soluble dietary fiber: Acts as a prebiotic, promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria and suppressing harmful ones, helping maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

※ Insoluble fiber: Absorbs water, increasing stool volume and promoting peristalsis, thus preventing constipation.

3. Cooling and Calming Effects

* With high water content, pears help lower body temperature. The anti-inflammatory properties of flavonoids and polyphenols reduce pain and soothe coughs, especially helping with bronchial and throat inflammation.

※ Pear water content: Consisting of 85–90% water, it helps replenish lost fluids and balance the body’s water content, aiding in cooling the body.

※ Flavonoids and polyphenols: These antioxidants help normalize body temperature through anti-inflammatory effects.

※ Calming Effects of Pears:

– Relieves inflammation in the bronchi and throat

– Provides natural soothing effects

– Protects the stomach and soothes the digestive system

4. Boosting Immunity

* Rich in vitamin C, pears eliminate free radicals in the body to prevent cell damage, while flavonoids and polyphenols protect the immune system and defend against infections, aiding in the prevention of colds, flu, and other viral diseases.

※ Vitamin C: An antioxidant that reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, helping the immune system function efficiently. Enhances the production and function of white blood cells, improving infection-fighting ability.

※ Flavonoids and polyphenols: They reduce oxidative stress during immune responses, making them more efficient in fighting pathogens (viruses, bacteria).

5. Cardiovascular Health Enhancement

* The soluble dietary fiber, pectin, found in pears, helps regulate cholesterol levels. The antioxidants flavonoids and polyphenols neutralize free radicals, protect blood vessels, and relax the arteries, preventing atherosclerosis and heart attacks.

※ Pectin: Binds with cholesterol in the intestines to expel it, reduces LDL cholesterol absorption, and promotes bile acid production, lowering cholesterol levels.

※ Flavonoids and polyphenols: These antioxidants reduce arterial wall damage, inhibit inflammation, and enhance blood flow by relaxing blood vessels.

6. Other Benefits

* Also beneficial for: skin health, anti-cancer effects, constipation relief, weight management, antioxidant effects, gut detoxification, and blood sugar control.

※ Constipation Prevention: Pectin’s gel-forming properties promote smoother food movement in the intestines and ease bowel movements, preventing constipation.

※ Blood Sugar Control: The gel-forming pectin slows down the release of sugars, preventing blood sugar spikes, making it especially beneficial for type 2 diabetes management.

※ Intestinal Detoxification: Pectin binds with toxins or heavy metals, expelling them and enhancing detoxification.

※ Weight Management: Pectin slows digestion and prolongs satiety, aiding in weight control.

* The calorie content of pears is 57 kcal per 100g.

* Pears are low in calories yet rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, making them highly beneficial for health.

※ Season: Pears are in season from September to November.

※ Representing autumn, pears thrive in cool weather, and those harvested during this period have optimal sweetness, water content, and nutritional richness, especially in vitamin C and fiber, aiding immunity and digestion.

* Color: Look for a bright, clean yellow-brown skin.

* Shape: Pears should be round and symmetrical.

* Skin: A smooth skin without scratches or bruises is ideal, with evenly distributed small dots.

* Texture: Pears with a slightly rough texture that feel firm and resilient when pressed are good.

1. Room Temperature Storage

– Suitable for pears that aren’t fully ripe or for short-term consumption.

– Storage Duration: 3–5 days.

– Note: Avoid high temperatures or humidity as pears can spoil quickly.

2. Refrigerated Storage

– For long-term storage, refrigerate at 0–4°C.

– Storage Duration: 2–4 weeks.

– Note: Avoid storing with other fruits as pears emit ethylene gas, which can cause nearby fruits to ripen faster.

3. Freezing

– For extended storage, slice and freeze pears after soaking in sugar water or syrup to retain moisture.

– Storage Duration: About six months.

– Note: Thaw in the refrigerator slowly.

4. Additional Tips

– Avoid bruising: Pears bruise easily, which accelerates spoilage.

– Ethylene gas: Store separately from apples or bananas to prevent premature ripening.

– Moisture: Pears are moisture-rich, so retaining water content helps maintain freshness.

Through ‘The Ultimate Autumn Fruit for Bronchial Health: Pear Benefits & Calories’ post, we’ve explored the benefits, nutritional content, calories, seasonal timing, selection tips, and storage methods for pears, the ideal autumn fruit for supporting bronchial health. I hope this post has helped you gain a deeper understanding of pears.

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Thank you for reading through this long post!