I bet we are all familiar with the saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away," but it seems like another fruit may do just the same, if not, maybe more. What is it you ask? The answer: the pear.
Research shows that eating just one can provide us with high levels of vitamin C and fiber at just under 100 calories. Eating the fruit or merely drinking its juice may also help prevent hang over and reduce the risk of stroke. In a recent study from Louisiana State University found that people who eat pears are less likely to be obese.
The study which was published in Nutrition and Food Science, revealed that people who ate pears had a lower body weight and were 35% less likely to develop obesity than those who don't eat the fruit. The researchers also looked at the effects of eating fresh pears had on nutrient intake, the quality of diet, and cardiovascular risk factors.
Using data collected by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey or 9 years involving 24,808 participants aged 19 and above, the researchers found that aside from lower body weight and less obesity risk, pear eating individuals were generally older, consumed less alcohol, and smoked fewer cigarettes than those who never ate the fruit. Pear-eating people also had a higher regard for their diet, characterized by higher levels of fiber, vitamins in general and less fats and added sugar. This was the outcome despite those who eat pears and those who didn't consumed the same amount of calories.
To further investigate if pear eaters are doing anything special other than following their usual diet, the researchers looked at the Healthy Eating index which is a measure of diet quality that assesses agreement to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, according to the Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
They discovered that pear eaters consumed more whole fruits and grains, and plants and seafood-based proteins, while reducing their intake of sodium and empty calories.
