Effects of Fresh Pear Consumption on Biomarkers of Cardiometabolic Health in Middle-Aged and Older Adults with Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of major cardiometabolic risk factors and is highly associated with the development of chronic diseases, namely cardiovascular disease. Pears (Pyrus communis) are an excellent source of dietary fiber, a good source of vitamin C, and contain potassium, vitamin K, and bioactive compounds including flavonoids and phenolic acids. Previous research with pears supports their potential as a functional food for promoting cardiometabolic health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the extent to which fresh pear consumption would improve biomarkers of cardiometabolic risk in middle-aged and older adults with MetS. In a randomized, open-label, placebo-controlled, two-period crossover trial, 50 adults aged 45 to 65 years with at least 3 of the 5 features of MetS were randomly assigned to consume either 2 medium-sized fresh pears (Pear) or 50 g pear-flavored drink mix (Control) per day for 12 weeks. At the end of the 12-week period, subjects underwent a 4-week washout per...