5 Reasons Pears Are Good for YouLocations:||||||SearchAdvertisementAdvertisementNovember 7, 2023/Diet, Food & Fitness/Nutrition5 Health Benefits of PearsThey’re great for your gut, heart and blood sugar and may lower inflammationIronically, not every pear is “pear-shaped.” One variety, Asian pears, is actually shaped like an apple. But no matter their shape, all pears are rich in disease-fighting nutrients.AdvertisementCleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy“Pears are so healthy, and most people tolerate them very well,” says registered dietitian Beth Czerwony, RD, LD. “They’re terrific for your digestion and have other impressive health benefits. They’re a perfect snack if you’re craving something sweet.”Types of pearsPears are members of the Rosaceae plant family, along with apples, apricots, cherries, peaches and several other fruits and berries. Pears can range in texture, color, crispness, juiciness and sweetness. Common varieties you may find in the grocery store include:Anjou (green or red).Asian.Bartlett.Bosc.Comice.Concorde.Forelle.Seckel.Starkrimson.Health benefits of pearsAre pears good for you? Absolutely. Pears are a great source of antioxidants, fiber, potassium and vitamin C. But they’re not just full of nutrients — they also may lower your risk of some diseases. Here are five ways pears boost your health.1. A nutritious source of vitamins and mineralsLike most fruit, pears are a source of good nutrition. One medium pear has approximately:102 calories.27 grams of carbohydrates.0 grams of cholesterol.0.2 grams of fat.6 grams of fiber.0.6 grams of protein.1 milligram of sodium.17 grams of sugar.A medium pear also gives you:8 milligrams of vitamin C (9% daily value or DV).8 micrograms of vitamin K (7% DV).0.05 milligrams of vitamin B6 (5% DV).206 milligrams of potassium (4% DV).Advertisement2. Helps manage your blood sugarNobody enjoys the dreaded crash that happens after sugary foods spike your blood glucose. Steady blood sugar means a steady supply of energy, which is healthier for your body. Blood sugar management is even more important if you have diabetes.Czerwony says pears may help stabilize blood sugar and even reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes. How? Fiber, for starters. A medium pear offers nearly one-quarter of the fiber you need in a day. Fiber helps keep blood sugar steadier by slowing your body’s absorption of sugar.Pears also contain anthocyanin, an antioxidant. An observational study suggests a link between eating anthocyanin-rich foods and a lower risk of Type 2 diabetes.Another study showed that eating pears could significantly lower your odds of developing Type 2 diabetes. For each serving of pears eaten per week, researchers found a 3% lower risk of Type 2 diabetes.In addition, pears are a low glycemic food, which means they won’t spike your blood sugar like sugary foods and some fruits can.3. Relieves constipation and improves digestive healthFiber adds bulk to and softens your stool, which helps things move along in your gut. Lots of foods contain fiber, but pears are a particularly excellent source.A single pear contains 6 grams of fiber (more than 20% of what an adult needs in a day). And pectin, a type of fiber in pears, has some specific benefits. Pectin is a soluble fiber known to help:Constipation: In a study of 80 people with constipation, pectin significantly improved food movement through their digestive systems and reduced symptoms.Gut microbiome: Pectin promotes the growth of good bacteria in your colon, according to a review of several studies, helping your microbiome stay healthy.To reap the fibrous benefit of pears, don’t skip the skin. “Pear skin contains a significant amount of the fruit’s total fiber content,” notes Czerwony.4. Lowers inflammationInflammation happens when your immune system tries to protect you from something — an infection, a toxin or some other offender. Some temporary inflammation is actually a healthy response to these things. But when inflammation hangs around, it can contribute to diseases such as Alzheimer’s, asthma, cancer and Type 2 diabetes.Antioxidants are nutrients that can prevent some of the cell damage that leads to inflammation. Pears are rich in powerful types of antioxidants called flavonoids.Research shows that flavonoids can reduce inflammation and lower the risk of:Cancer.Heart disease.Infections from bacteria, fungi and viruses.Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and Parkinson’s disease.Stroke.Type 2 diabetes and the nerve damage it can cause.Advertisement5. Promotes heart healthPears are an excellent part of a heart-healthy diet. Nutrients in pears that can benefit your heart include:Anthocyanins, an antioxidant and pigment that gives some pears their red color. According to a review of 44 studies, anthocyanins may protect against coronary artery disease.Fiber, which may play a role in lowering cholesterol, according to a meta-analysis of 15 clinical trials. High cholesterol may increase your risk of heart disease.Potassium, known to help reduce high blood pressure — another risk factor for heart disease.In addition, a study examining the effects of fruit and vegetable consumption suggests eating pears lowers your risk of stroke. And one large clinical trial showed a link between eating pears and a lower risk of dying from heart disease.Are fresh, canned or frozen pears better?“In general, fresh fruits are best because they have the highest amount of nutrients,” explains Czerwony. “Frozen is usually a close second to fresh. The heat of canning, though, can break down certain nutrients.”But don’t avoid canned pears completely. They’re still good for you. She advises looking for pears in water rather than syrup, which adds unneeded sugar.“You might be surprised by what you can do with fresh pears,” she adds. “Think of how you use apples — sliced raw, in pies or baked — and you can do all those things with pears.”AdvertisementTry making this poached pear dessert, include pears in your stuffing or make some interesting salads with pears.AdvertisementLearn more about our .AdvertisementRelated ArticlesJuly 2, 2025/NutritionThis bitter fruit provides a kick of caffeineJune 17, 2025/NutritionCoconut is a good source of healthy fat, fiber and essential minerals like manganeseJune 13, 2025/Cold, Flu & Respiratory IllnessesThis fruit has clear nutritional benefits — but there’s little evidence it can prevent or treat illnessMay 6, 2025/NutritionThis handy fruit is packed with nutrients that can benefit your heart, gut and immune systemApril 10, 2025/NutritionBite into a slice of papaya to enjoy a taste of the tropics and disease-fighting nutrients May 8, 2024/NutritionWith a sweet, tangy flavor, this tropical fruit is super versatile and high in antioxidantsMay 6, 2024/NutritionFull of antioxidants and nutrients, apricots may boost your eye, skin, digestive and overall healthOctober 9, 2023/NutritionThis glorious green superfood is full of vitamins, minerals and lots of other good stuffTrending TopicsSleepIf you’re feeling short of breath, sleep can be tough — propping yourself up or sleeping on your side may helpMental HealthIf you fear the unknown or find yourself needing reassurance often, you may identify with this attachment styleNutritionIf you’re looking to boost your gut health, it’s better to get fiber from whole foodsHealth Categories to ExploreBrain & Nervous SystemChildren's HealthExercise & FitnessHeart HealthMen's HealthMental HealthNutritionOrthopaedicsPrimary CareSkin Care & BeautyWellnessWomen's HealthOther Popular CategoriesAging WellAllergiesCancer Care & PreventionChronic PainCold, Flu & Respiratory IllnessesDiabetes & EndocrinologyDigestiveEar, Nose & ThroatEye CareInfectious DiseaseLungOral HealthParentingPregnancy & ChildbirthRecipesRheumatology & ImmunologySenior HealthSex & RelationshipsSleepUrinary & Kidney HealthWeight LossAdRendered: Sat Jul 26 2025 12:30:46 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)Cleveland ClinicSite Information & PoliciesResources9500 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44195 | 800.223.2273 | © 2025 Cleveland Clinic. All Rights Reserved., About 3,000 known varieties of pears are grown worldwide, which vary in both shape and taste. The fruit is consumed fresh, canned, as juice, dried, or fermented as perry., From green pears to red pears to white pears, we’re covering all things pears in this in-depth guide to 29 types of pears from A to Z! Pears are grown and eaten around the world, and there may be as many as 3,000 different types of pear in existence..