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Pear
Pears are one of the best fruits for helping reduce cholesterol and they are a good source of the minerals potassium, copper, phosphorus and magnesium.
Pears assist in reducing cholesterol due to their high amounts of the soluble fiber pectin. Pectin traps cholesterol and because pectin can’t pass through the intestinal wall, cholesterol leaves our digestive system as waste. Through reducing cholesterol, we protect the walls of our arteries and this helps maintain cardiovascular health.
Pears can also help with lower blood pressure in that they contain potassium which helps reduce excessive sodium. Excessive sodium can lead to water retention which increases blood volume, this means the heart needs to pump more to maintain circulation. The potassium in pears can help our body naturally manage fluid balance as it can counter sodium excesses in some situations. The potassium in pears can potentially help control and maintain healthy blood pressure.
Some metabolic processes lead to an internally acidic environment, like the breaking down of excessive amounts of animal protein. To maintain an internal optimum pH, our body will use minerals such as calcium to restore pH balance. If we are not getting enough calcium in our diet to counter this increased demand, calcium stores from our bones are used. Pears are often listed in the top ten fruits that are considered excellent ‘alkalinises’. That is they have the ability to neutralise acids when they themselves are being metabolised.
Information supplied by Steph Askeur
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