Is Pear Good For Diabetes Control?? Is it A Safe Choice for Diabetics??

Pear fruit is good for digestion, prevents cancer and heart developing heart diseases. But is it safe for a diabetic to eat pear everyday? When should diabetics have pear?

Pear fruit has been around for centuries and enjoyed over 15 countries as a major delicacy. Did you know that this bell-shaped fruit offers loads of benefits? Well, a pear a day aids in good digestion, contains anti-cancer properties and boosts heart health. Let’s delve into the article to know more about ‘Is Pear Good for Diabetes?’.

Contents:

Pear: Nutritional Profile

100 grams of pear contain the following: 

Calories: 57
Total Fat: 0.1 g
Saturated Fat: 0 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1 g 
Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 1 mg
Potassium: 116 mg
Total Carbohydrates: 15 g
Dietary Fiber: 3.1 g
Sugars: 9.8 g
Protein: 0.4 g
Vitamin A: 0.5%
Vitamin C: 7.2%
Calcium: 0.7%
Iron: 0.7%

Pears have 84% water, a high fibrous centre, organic proteins, carbohydrates, phytonutrients, and antioxidants. It contains essential B-vitamins like thiamine, niacin, folate, choline, provitamin A, vitamins C, E, and K and minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, and zinc.

Advantages of Pears for Diabetes

1. Anthocyanin-Rich

Recent studies have shown that specific flavonoids in pears benefit insulin sensitivity. Anthocyanin is one such antioxidant and antimicrobial flavonoid that lowers the risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes. Anthocyanin-rich fruits prevent insulin resistance and exhibit anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory effects, aiding diabetes management.

2. Fight Inflammation

Type 2 diabetes and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) makes your body less sensitive to insulin, causing insulin resistance and long-term inflammation of blood vessels. Both increase simultaneously unless treated with medication. Vitamins C and K, copper, and flavonoids in pears help fight inflammation, lowering diabetes-related complications and chances of developing diabetes.

3. Antihyperglycemic

Diabetics need food with a low glycemic index (GI), like pears. A medium-sized pear with high fibre content (7g) and a low GI of 20-49 is suitable for diabetics, making them feel fuller for longer and regulating glucose levels.

4. Fight Free Radicals

Exposure to X-rays, cigarette smoking, etc., introduce free radicals into your body, which cause inflammation, oxidative stress, and thus, chronic conditions like diabetes. Antioxidants in pears neutralise free radicals, preventing further damage.

Ways To Consume Pears For Diabetes

  • You can reap the benefits of eating pears only by consuming them whole with the peel. Pear juice might have an opposite effect and, instead, increase the risks. 
  • Eat pears as a snack.
  • You can prepare a delicious salad with pears, walnuts, rocket leaves, and pecorino cheese.
  • Prep a dessert for your sweet tooth with walnuts, margarine, cinnamon, and stevia or brown sugar substitute over pears.
  • You can make an appetiser with just two ingredients: pears and goat cheese tarts

Risks of Over Consuming Pear For Diabetes

  • Too many pears can disproportionately increase fibre in your body. Too much fibre can disturb digestive health and nutrient absorption.
  • Increased Vitamin C levels cause nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal bloating, headache, and heartburn.
  • Excessive consumption of pear can lead to levels of Vitamin A levels that may result in blurry vision, poor appetite, bone pain, etc. 
  • Too much consumption of pear can mean too much consumption of antioxidants that can increase your risk of cancer.

Other Health Benefits of Pears For Diabetics

  • Pear’s antioxidants and fibre prevent the risks of cancer, heart diseases, liver disorders, and tumours.
  • Niacin and folate help cellular function and energy production.
  • Provitamin A supports speedy wound healing and skin health.
  • Polyphenol antioxidants in pear fights oxidative cell damage.
  • Copper content in pear boosts immunity, improves nerve functioning, and lowers cholesterol metabolism.
  • Potassium content in pear improves heart function and muscle contraction.
  • Plant compounds like anthocyanins in pear strengthen blood vessels and improve heart health. 
  • Chemical compounds found in pear such as zeaxanthin and lutein sharpen vision.

Don’t Have Time To Read?

  • Pears help reduce weight and the risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
  • It has high water content, fibre, and several vitamins and minerals.
  • Anthocyanin, vitamins C and K, and copper work exclusively to prevent diabetes-related inflammation.
  • Pears’ antioxidants fight inflammation and free radical-induced oxidative cell damage.
  • Pears have a low GI and control blood glucose levels.
  • Consume pears as a whole freshly sliced fruit. Diabetics must avoid pear juice. 
  • You can use pears in tasty salads, desserts, tarts, appetisers, etc. 
  • Overconsumption of pear can cause high levels of fiber, vitamins C and A, and antioxidants that disturb digestive health and cause nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal bloating, headache, heartburn, blurry vision, poor appetite, bone pain, etc. 
  • Other health benefits of pears include preventing cancer, other heart diseases, liver disorders, and tumours through its antioxidants and fibre. 
  • Use Phable Care App to consult India’s leading diabetologists, order medicines, book lab tests, integrate Accu-Chek instant and other devices to get real-time remote care from the comfort of your home. Let’s treat diabetes together.

Friendly Asked Questions

Is Pear Good For Diabetes?

Pear is considered excellent for diabetes. Its water and fibre content helps weight loss, and its low GI controls blood glucose levels. Compounds like anthocyanin fight diabetes-related inflammation and oxidative damage and strengthen blood vessels.

Is Pear High In Sugar?

Each medium-sized pear has 17g of sugar. But because it has a low GI, it does not spike your blood sugar levels. 

How Many Pears Can a Diabetic Eat?

A diabetic can consume two medium-sized pears everyday. The best time a diabetic can consume pear is for breakfast or before any meal. Pears can also be consumed as a snack after dinner. 

What Do Pears Do For Diabetics?

The low GI of pears regulates blood glucose in diabetics. Anthocyanin, vitamins C and K, and copper in pears work exclusively to prevent diabetes-related inflammation. The 84% water content and soluble fibre make one feel fuller for longer and aid weight loss.

What Is The Safest Fruit For a Diabetic?

Fruits rich in anthocyanin and low in GI are safe for diabetics, like apples, oranges, bananas, mangoes, dates, pears, etc. Pear is especially rich in anthocyanin and has a GI of 20 to 49. Hence, pear is good for diabetes and safe in adequate quantities.