Pear season officially starts with the arrival of sweet Bartletts in the late summer, but autumn and winter is when there is an abundance of other varieties. The crisp, crunchy Bosc, the succulent, creamy Comice, the soft juicy Anjou, or the bite sized Seckel – all pears are rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients such as betacarotene, lutein and zeaxanthins. The compounds, along with their high levels of vitamins C and A help the body protect itself from damaging free radicals.

High in fibre – low in calories
One small pear has about 5 grams of fibre, most of which is insoluble and acts like a sponge, soaking up moisture in the stomach and swelling up in the process. This helps us feel full and also has laxative effects as it bulks up stool and decreases transit time. Regular eating of pears may also protect us against colon cancer as the gritty fibre binds to potentially harmful cancer causing toxins, insulating the colon’s mucous membranes from contact with these harmful compounds.

Hypo – allergenic too
Pears are often recommended for allergy sufferers as they are among the least allergenic of all fruits and are a safe alternative to highly allergenic fruits such as strawberries. They are also useful for treating inflammatory disorders like colitis, chronic gallbladder disorders, arthritis and gout.

The perfect snack 
Plan in advance and buy your pears when still unripe and wait for them to soften at home to avoid bruising. On their own, pears make a great, simple snack and combined with Gorgonzola cheese, baby greens and walnuts they make a fabulous winter salad. Firmer varieties like Bosc, keep their shape during cooking and can be poached in wine for a delicious, yet healthy comfort food as the cold days draw in.