Pears Against Cancer?

Pears can assist in a holistic cancer treatment. Pears will not cure cancer alone but in combination with other herbs, juices and therapies, pears will boost cancer treatment effectiveness.

Pears are members of the rose family and related to the apple and the quince. Pears generally have a large round bottom that tapers towards the top. Depending upon the variety, their paper-thin skins can either be yellow, green, brown, red or a combination of two or more of these colors. Like apples, pears have a core that features several seeds.

Pears are a good source of vitamin C and copper. These nutrients help protect cells in the body from oxygen-related damage due to free radicals. Vitamin C functions as an antioxidant in all water-soluble areas of the body, and in addition to its antioxidant activity, is critical for good immune function. Vitamin C stimulates white cells to fight infection, directly kills many bacteria and viruses, and regenerates Vitamin E (an antioxidant that protects fat-soluble areas of the body) after it has been inactivated by disarming free radicals.

Copper, on the other hand, helps protect the body from free radical damage as a necessary component of superoxide dismutase (SOD), a copper-dependent enzyme that eliminates superoxide radicals. Superoxide radicals are a type of free radical generated during normal metabolism, as well as when white blood cells attack invading bacteria and viruses. If not eliminated quickly, superoxide radicals damage cell membranes.

Pears are also high in fiber which is associated in reduced risk of colon cancer. Results of a prospective study involving 51,823 postmenopausal women for an average of 8.3 years showed a 34% reduction in breast cancer risk for those consuming the most fruit fiber compared to those consuming the least. Another research by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) indicates that the phytochemicals in pears, and consequently the high level of antioxidants in pears, are especially helpful in the battle against brain-depleting diseases.

Consumption of pears has also been found to be associated with lower risks of head and neck, esophageal, lung, gastric and colorectal cancer in epidemiological studies.

Pear Storage

A research conducted at the University of Innsbruck in Austria suggests that as fruits fully ripen, almost to the point of spoilage, their antioxidant levels actually increase. So it is best to use ripe pears

If you want to hasten the ripening process, place pears in a paper bag, turning them occasionally, and keep them at room temperature. If you will not be consuming the pears immediately once they have ripened, you can place them in the refrigerator where they will remain fresh for a few days.

Storing pears in sealed plastic bags or restricted spaces where they are in too close proximity to each other should be avoided since they will have limited exposure to oxygen, and the ethylene gas that they naturally produce will greatly increase their ripening process, causing them to degrade. Pears should also be stored away from other strong smelling foods, whether on the countertop or in the refrigerator, as they tend to absorb smells.

Pear Juice

1. Wash the pears thoroughly and cut them up into little pieces.
2. Remove the stems and the seeds.
3. Place all of the pieces into a stock pot and add water just until the fruit pieces are covered with water.
4. Bring to a boil and let boil for around 5 to 7 minutes then remove from the heat.
5. Once the fruit has cooled to room temperature, pour off all of the juice through a strainer into a drain pan of some sort.
6. If you want the juice to be more clear, repeat this step a few times.

Pear Cancer Treatment Recommendations

Small amounts of pear juice are excellent during a juice fasting cancer treatment. Pear juice can be used to boost the flavor of green juices.

There are no proven claims of pears in cancer prevention or treatment but it is nutritious, alkalies the blood, and is perfect for post fasting cancer treatment.

Buy Pear Products Online

Pear Juice
http://bit.ly/eoSDNr

Pear Research Links

Dietary fiber intake and risk of postmenopausal breast cancer defined by estrogen and progesterone receptor status–a prospective cohort study among Swedish women.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17764112

Dietary intake of polyphenols, nitrate and nitrite and gastric cancer risk in Mexico City.
http://foodforbreastcancer.com/studies/3928

Dietary factors and breast cancer risk in Vaud, Switzerland
http://foodforbreastcancer.com/studies/116