According to a study, pears are the best fruit for reducing bad cholesterol levels.
- Pear contains 2 milligrams (mg) of an antioxidant called quercetin, which is a significant amount.
- According to a study, quercetin supplementation significantly reduces bad cholesterol levels.
- For health, it is important to eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day.
With summer, it is all the more pleasant to eat fresh fruits… And one of them would be particularly good for reducing the level of bad cholesterol: the pear, which contains 2 milligrams (mg) of quercetin, an antioxidant, a significant quantity.
Quercetin in pear reduces bad cholesterol
According to a new study published in the journal Food, Science & Nutrition, Quercetin supplementation could significantly reduce bad cholesterol levels. In fact, if Cholesterol is an essential lipid for the body, we must distinguish the good from the bad.
This lipid circulates freely in the blood and two proteins are responsible for its transport in the body: high-density lipoproteins (HDL), which correspond to good cholesterol, and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), for bad cholesterol.
HDL prevents the formation of plaques on the artery walls and brings excess cholesterol accumulated in the organs to the liver for elimination. On the other hand, LDL distributes excess cholesterol to the various organs, which promotes lipid deposition on the artery walls and therefore the appearance of plaques.
According to researchers, quercetin may reduce bad cholesterol without lowering good cholesterol. Another benefit: This antioxidant also reduces levels of C-reactive protein, which is involved in various inflammations and heart diseases.
Cholesterol: where to find red pears?
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty emphasizes that “Autumn is the best season to enjoy pears” but that “Winter ones can be kept for several months in a cold room.”
So, on the stalls of our greengrocers or supermarkets, we find them almost every season. Although there are more than 2,000 varieties, we only consume about fifteen in France, including Williams and Comice.
And that’s a good thing because these two species are part of the red pears, which researchers recommend consuming as a priority to reduce bad cholesterol levels.
Whether it’s pears or other fruits, Public Health France recommends eating at least five different fruits and vegetables a day, with each portion measuring 80 to 100 grams.
