Raw pears in particular provide very good fibre content, one pear supplies 20% daily fibre. This abundance of fruit fibre is delicate on the digestive system compared to the common use of wheat bran.
The fibre in pears can bind with toxins in the colon and reduce their effectiveness, thereby helping to protect against colon cancer. In addition, pears supply a fair amount of the trace mineral copper 0.12 mg. Copper has proved to be deficient in people with colon cancer and the combination with the good fibre content gives pears the tag of being a top preventative food for people prone to colon cancer. A low copper intake can increase free radical production within the colon.
Pears supply potassium 120 mg, iron 0.25 mg and a good amount of silicon, also vital for protection from cancerous tissue development and body cleansing. The folate 7.5 mg also helps, in combination with fibre, to protect from gastrointestinal disorders, constipation and diarrhoea.
