by Kate Johns

Created on: May 12, 2008   Last Updated: August 15, 2008

The pear is a nearly perfect food. In fact the pear is so perfect it could topple its cousin the apple from the top of the fruit pedestal of having the distinction of being the perfect food. This nearly perfect fruit offers so many rich nutrients that we should be eating one every day to keep the doctor away.

The Northwest Pear Bureau extols the many healthful benefits of the pear. The pear is virtually allergen free, allowing anyone to eat it. The pear can keep your blood pressure low because it is low in sodium and high in potassium. The pear contains many anti-oxidant rich properties, such as the vitamins, A, B1, B2, C and E that help protect cells from damage by free radicals.

The pear also contains iron, Vitamin K, folic acid, and even has some calcium found in it's juicy flesh. The pear is also a natural source of energy containing high amounts of fructose and glucose. Just think you could eat a pear every day and get so many vitamins and nutrietns it would be like taking a multi-vitamin everyday. You could also eat a pear a day and lose weight due to the low caloric value of the pear.

This versatile fruit is very high in fiber and helps in maintaining good colon health, that can help keep cancer at bay. The pectin in pears helps to lower cholesterol levels, meaning that the pear helps maintain heart health. This fruit also acts as a diuretic that is a mild laxative.

In a 2005 study conducted by the USDA, the pear's flesh was found to be rich in phyto-nutrients. This means that the skin of the pear alone is rich in antioxidants. And they also found that the deeper the hues of the pear, the more antioxidants it contains.

Around 5000 B. C. when Feng Li, a Chinese diplomat abandoned his work and became consumed with grafting pears as well as other fruits such as apples, and peaches. Pomona the Goddess of fruit, fell in love with the pear, and urged extensive farming and grafting of the pear.

Early colonists brought the first pear trees to America's northeast coast in the 1800's and lost them to severe cases of blight. But Northwestern farmers cultivated their thriving trees in Washington and Oregon. And it is those early settlers we have to thank for introducing the pear to America. Today we have over 3,000 varieties of pears, but we only utilize about 12 of those delightful tasty fruit ventures.

When choosing the perfect pear, select several that are firm to the touch. To discover if a pear is edible, press it lightly and it should leave a small impression. To hasten the ripening process you can place the pear in a paper bag at room temperature for several days. Once a pear is ripe, store it in the refrigerator, for delectable eating later.

Mouthwatering, sweet, satisfying pears taste like a bit of heaven, and have all the minerals and nutrients that a multi-vitamin contains. Possibly in a few years we will be extolling the virtues of the pear by saying, "A pear a day helps keep the doctor away."

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