Pear is one of the gentlest fruits you can eat, and much of that gentleness is by design: a ripe pear holds most of its fibre and nutrients in and just beneath the skin, making it a quietly nourishing choice. That fibre is a big part of why pears feature in research on gut health and heart health.
Compounds & anti-nutrients in Pear
Per 100 g, Pear is a notable dietary source of these active compounds. Tap any to see its full sources map and how to work with it.
Why pears are good for you
The standout in a pear is fibre, much of it the soluble kind called pectin, which forms a gel in the gut, feeds beneficial bacteria and helps support healthy cholesterol levels. Pears also supply vitamin C and vitamin K, along with potassium for healthy blood pressure, and the skin carries a concentration of antioxidant polyphenols. Because so much of the good stuff sits in the skin, eating a pear unpeeled gives you noticeably more than a peeled one.
Pears are also relatively low on the glycaemic scale for a sweet fruit, so their natural sugars tend to arrive in a more measured way.
Pear nutrition at a glance
The full breakdown is in the label above. The short version: a pear is a low-fat, fibre-rich fruit whose sweetness is balanced by water and pectin, so it digests gently and satisfies. For most people it is a wholesome, portable snack, and the main thing worth knowing is simply to keep the skin on for the full benefit.
How to choose, store and eat pears
Pears ripen from the inside out, so judge ripeness by gently pressing near the stem: it should give slightly. Buy them firm and let them ripen on the counter over a few days, then move them to the fridge to slow them down. Eat them out of hand, slice them into porridge with oats, or pair them with walnuts and a little cheese for a classic combination of sweet, creamy and crunchy.
Common questions
Are pears good for digestion? Pears are well known for it: they are rich in soluble fibre and pectin, which support regularity and feed the bacteria in your gut, and they also contain sorbitol, a natural sugar that can have a mild laxative effect.
Should you eat the skin of a pear? Yes, if you can. The skin holds a large share of the pear’s fibre and antioxidant polyphenols, so eating it unpeeled gives you the most benefit.
Explore by health goal
Pear is one of many foods that support these goals:
