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Pears benefits come mainly from fiber: one medium raw pear has about 5.5 grams of fiber, roughly 20% of the Daily Value, for about 101 calories, according to USDA data. Pears are also unusually high in fructose compared with glucose, which helps explain both their reputation for keeping things moving and why some people get gas from them. Below are the USDA pear nutrition facts, how common pears and Asian pear compare with apples, canned and dried pears, what the limited research found, and who may want to go easy on them.
Peptide Labs does not sell pears or pear products. This article is general nutrition information, not medical advice.
Key Takeaways
- One medium raw pear has about 101 calories and 5.5 grams of fiber (20% DV) in USDA data.
- Pears carry more fructose than glucose, and they contain sorbitol, which can cause gas in some people.
- Asian pear is a different species with a crisp texture and slightly fewer calories per 100 grams.
- Canned pears in juice keep fewer nutrients and less fiber per gram than fresh; dried pears are dense in sugar.
- Human research on pears is limited; a 2015 review found no human feeding studies at the time.
- Pears can trigger mouth itching in people with birch pollen allergy.
What are pears?
Common European pears (Pyrus communis) include Bartlett, Bosc and Anjou, with soft, buttery flesh when ripe. Asian pear, often from Pyrus pyrifolia, is round, crisp and juicy, more like an apple in texture. A 2015 systematic review in Nutrition Today described pears, like most fruit, as mostly water and sugar, high in fiber, and concentrated in fructose, and noted that pears are usually grouped with apples in population studies because their makeup is so similar.
Pear nutrition: USDA facts per medium pear
The table uses the USDA FoodData Central SR Legacy entry for raw pears (FDC ID 169118), scaled to USDA’s medium pear of 178 grams. Daily Values are FDA’s reference amounts for food labels.
| Nutrient, 1 medium raw pear (178 g) | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 101 | Not applicable |
| Carbohydrate | 27.1 g | 10% |
| Fiber | 5.5 g | 20% |
| Total sugars | 17.4 g | No DV |
| Fructose (part of total sugars) | 11.4 g | No DV |
| Glucose (part of total sugars) | 4.6 g | No DV |
| Protein | 0.6 g | 1% |
| Copper | 0.15 mg | 16% |
| Vitamin C | 7.7 mg | 9% |
| Vitamin K | 7.8 mcg | 7% |
| Potassium | 206 mg | 4% |
For pear calories by size, USDA lists a small pear at 148 grams, about 84 calories, and a large pear at 230 grams, about 130 calories. Pears are not a big source of vitamins compared with citrus or berries; their strengths are fiber, water and copper. Our raspberries guide shows a fruit with more fiber and vitamin C per calorie, and our fiber-rich foods guide ranks many more.
Pears vs Asian pear vs apples
Per 100 grams of raw fruit in USDA SR Legacy data, the three are close in calories, with pears a little ahead of apples on fiber.
| Per 100 g, raw (USDA FDC ID) | Calories | Fiber (% DV) | Total sugars | Fructose | Vitamin C (% DV) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pears (169118) | 57 | 3.1 g (11%) | 9.8 g | 6.4 g | 4.3 mg (5%) |
| Asian pear (168177) | 42 | 3.6 g (13%) | 7.1 g | Not listed | 3.8 mg (4%) |
| Apples with skin (171688) | 52 | 2.4 g (9%) | 10.4 g | 5.9 g | 4.6 mg (5%) |
| Red raspberries (167755) | 52 | 6.5 g (23%) | 4.4 g | 2.4 g | 26.2 mg (29%) |
An Asian pear can be large: USDA lists one fruit at 275 grams, about 116 calories and 9.9 grams of fiber, so size matters more than variety. A smaller Asian pear of 122 grams has about 51 calories.
Canned pears and dried pears
| USDA entry (FDC ID) | Serving | Calories | Fiber (% DV) | Total sugars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raw pear (169118) | 1 medium, 178 g | 101 | 5.5 g (20%) | 17.4 g |
| Canned pears, juice pack (169936) | 1 cup halves with juice, 248 g | 124 | 4.0 g (14%) | 24.1 g |
| Dried pears, sulfured (169121) | 1 half, 18 g | 47 | 1.4 g (5%) | 11.2 g |
Canned pears packed in juice have about half the fiber per gram of fresh pears in USDA data, and pears packed in syrup add sugar, so check the label for “in juice” or “in water.” Dried pears concentrate everything: a single dried half has about as much sugar as two-thirds of a medium fresh pear. Many dried pears are processed with sulfites to keep their color. Under FDA labeling rules, sulfites at 10 parts per million or more in the finished food must be declared, so people sensitive to sulfites should read the ingredient list.
Pears benefits: what the research shows
Pear research in people is thin, and the authors of the 2015 systematic review said no human feeding studies of pears had been done at that time. Since then, a few small trials have appeared.
- Metabolic syndrome trial (2019, Food and Function): 40 adults aged 45 to 65 with metabolic syndrome ate fresh pears daily for 12 weeks and drank a calorie-matched drink for another 12 weeks. Systolic blood pressure, the main outcome, only tended to fall and the change was not statistically significant; pulse pressure and waist size fell slightly during the pear phase. The study was small and open-label.
- Laxative reputation: the 2015 review said pears’ high fiber and fructose probably explain their laxative effect. That is a reasonable explanation, not a tested clinical result. For constipation, our fiber guide and our prunes guide cover better-studied options.
- Population studies: pears are usually lumped together with apples or with all fruit, so findings cannot be credited to pears alone.
In short, pears are a filling, fiber-rich fruit, and claims that they protect against specific diseases go beyond the evidence. People managing diabetes can include fruit but should ask a clinician or dietitian how it fits; our fruit sugar guide puts pears in context with other fruits.
Gas, bloating and sensitive stomachs
The NIDDK lists pears, apples and peaches among foods that can cause gas. Two things are going on. Pears carry more than twice as much fructose as glucose in USDA data, and some people absorb that excess fructose poorly. Pears also contain sorbitol, a sugar alcohol covered in our sugar alcohols guide. Gut bacteria ferment what is not absorbed, which can mean gas, bloating or loose stools.
- If pears bother you, try a smaller portion or pair them with a meal, and see our debloating guide.
- Monash University, where the original FODMAP research was done, lists pears among fruits higher in FODMAPs. The diet is usually done with a dietitian; our low FODMAP diet guide explains the phases.
- Ongoing diarrhea, blood in the stool, weight loss without trying or severe pain are reasons to see a clinician rather than adjust fruit.
Pear allergy and birch pollen
Pears are not one of the nine major food allergens on US labels, but pear allergy is well described in people with birch pollen allergy, a form of pollen-food syndrome. A 2021 Dutch study noted that about 70% of birch-pollen-allergic patients in Europe react to cross-reactive foods; in its supervised challenges, 14 of 15 patients with a history of pear allergy reacted to one common pear variety. Symptoms are often itching or tingling of the mouth and throat. Hives, swelling or breathing trouble need urgent care; for milder symptoms see an allergist, and our elimination diet guide explains why testing should be supervised.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main pears benefits?
Pears are a good source of fiber and water with modest calories. Human research is limited and mostly small, so the clearest benefit is fiber.
How many calories are in a pear?
About 101 calories in a medium raw pear of 178 grams, with about 5.5 grams of fiber, in USDA data.
Is an Asian pear healthier than a regular pear?
Per 100 grams they are similar; Asian pear has slightly fewer calories and a bit more fiber. Fruit size makes the bigger difference.
Are canned pears healthy?
Canned pears in juice keep some fiber but less per gram than fresh. Pears in syrup add sugar, so read the label.
Why do pears give me gas?
Pears have more fructose than glucose and contain sorbitol. Gut bacteria ferment what is not absorbed, which can cause gas or bloating.
Should you eat the pear skin?
The skin is edible and eaten with the fruit in most recipes. Rinse pears under running water before eating.
Questions about a label? Contact us or read our Buyer’s Guide. Food comes first; follow the label and ask a healthcare provider before starting a supplement, especially if you take medicines, are pregnant or have a food allergy. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Last reviewed October 2026.
Related guides: Raspberries Benefits: USDA Raspberry Nutrition, Calories and Research, High Fiber Foods: USDA List of Fruits, Vegetables, Beans and Grains, Fiber for Constipation: What the Evidence Says, How Long It Takes and Natural Laxative Foods, Types of Pears: European and Asian Varieties, USDA Data.