Nutrition

The following information is based on USDA Nutrition Facts for one pear serving - a medium-size pear weighing 166 grams or about the size of an average adult fist. A medium pear provides 4 grams of dietary fiber, of which 41% is pectin.

FIBER:
Pears are a good source of natural dietary fiber. One pear will give you 16% of your recommended daily allowance of fiber.
Fiber contains no calories, and is a necessary element of a healthy diet as it helps sustain blood sugar levels and promotes regularity.

Pectin is a type of soluble fiber that binds to fatty substances in the digestive tract and promotes their elimination. This seems to help lower blood cholesterol levels. Soluble fiber also helps regulate the body's use of sugars.

Studies indicate that diets high in fiber may reduce the risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.

ON A LOW-CARB DIET?
Pears have 21 net grams of carbs. The carbohydrates in a pear are low on the glycemic index and have a low glycemic load. This basically means that the carbs in pears are slow to convert to sugar and enter the bloodstream. Pears are a good choice for getting healthy carbs.

VITAMIN C:
Fresh pears are a good source for Vitamin C. One fresh pear contains 10% of the RDA for Vitamin C (also called ascorbic acid).
Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant for normal metabolism and tissue repair, and helps prevent free radical damage (destructive by-products of the body's metabolic process). Vitamin C promotes healing of cuts and bruises and helps guard against a number of infectious diseases.

POTASSIUM:
Fresh pears offer 6% of the recommended daily allowance (210 mg of potassium) per serving. Fresh pears are packed with potassium, enjoy one before or after a workout!

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO USA PEARS: www.usapears.com