Fighting Disease
Today research is underway regarding the role that pears may play in helping to maintain health. Fresh pears offer health advantages in a number of ways including a strong nutritional profile that includes significant amounts of fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. Pears, like other fruits and vegetables, contain a vast array of naturally occurring beneficial plant compounds, known as phytochemicals, many of which act as antioxidants. Pears are also a good source of vitamin C, which is also a well-known, powerful antioxidant.
Antioxidants may help promote health by neutralizing unstable molecules in the body known as free radicals which can damage healthy cells. Research suggests that this damage can contribute to heart disease, cancer and an array of other conditions. Free radicals are formed both naturally in our bodies, through normal cell metabolism and through external environmental factors such as smoking, sunlight and pollution. As we age, we are producing more free radicals.
Getting antioxidants into your diet, through natural, whole food sources such as fruits and vegetables is considered superior to supplements.
Maintaining a healthy heart is, of course, critical to good health. Heart disease occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the heart become stiff and narrow due to the build-up of plaque in the artery walls. Many factors contribute to heart disease including diet and lifestyle, age and genes. Specific key risk factors include smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, being overweight and/or inactive, and diabetes.
The good news is that diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and rich in fruits (such as pears), vegetables, and grain products that contain fiber, particularly soluble fiber, may reduce the risk of heart disease.
Pears can play a role in helping to maintain heart health on a number of levels:
- With no fat, saturated fat or cholesterol, pears can replace fatty foods in the diet.
- While offering beneficial potassium, but no sodium, as part of a nutritious diet pears may help to promote a healthy blood pressure
- Rich in fiber – both insoluble and soluble – pears may help contribute to healthy cholesterol levels, as part of a healthy diet. Additionally, foods that are good sources of fiber contribute to satiety (feeling full) and thus can also contribute to achieving or maintaining a healthy weight.
For more information about heart health, please visit the website of the American Heart Association or the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Cancer Prevention
Cancer is characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body. It has many causes and stages in its development. Genetic and environmental risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, being overweight, exposure to chemicals and dietary behaviors are all potential contributors to this disease.
For cancer prevention, it is critical to 1) avoid smoking, 2) make healthy food choices, and 3) to stay lean and active. Being overweight increases the risk of certain types of cancers, specifically those of the esophagus, breast, colon, kidney and uterus.
Research shows that consumption of vegetables and fruits may protect against a range of cancers, including mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, lung, pancreas and prostate. It is important to consume at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day -and ideally - even more. Fruits, such as pears, and vegetables may help protect against cancer because they are naturally low in fat, and provide vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and other phytochemicals that work together to lower risk.
The bottom line: Health experts agree that eating a diet low in fat and high in fruits and vegetables, foods that are low in fat and may contain vitamin A, vitamin C and dietary fiber, may reduce the risk of some cancers. Pears, a food low in fat, are a good source of fiber and vitamin C.
For more information about cancer and prevention visit the websites of the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute.
Pears Care
California pear farmers have pledged to help raise awareness for breast cancer through a campaign called Pears Care. As part of its new Pears Care campaign, the California Pear Advisory Board has donated $25,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure® -- the world’s largest source of non-profit funds dedicated to fighting breast cancer in the world.
To communicate the importance of a healthy diet in fighting breast cancer and raise additional awareness for this important cause, California pear farmers are working to get specially-designed packages, tote bags and signage into grocery produce departments throughout the nation. Consumers can expect to see the pink Pears Care packages with the Susan G. Komen logo in stores during October, which is National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and throughout the rest of the California pear season which runs from July through November
Facts show that 1 in 8 women will be affected by breast cancer in their lifetime and, certainly, the disease has touched the lives of many in the pear industry. This is why the Pears Care campaign is so relevant and important to California pear farmers.
The Pears Care campaign already has the support of several retailers across the country. Consumers can support the campaign by buying this healthy and delicious produce item and asking their stores to carry California pears. The more pink boxes and bags of pears sold, the more California pear farmers can support the efforts of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. As it says on the Pears Care box, together we can make a difference.