Pear vs. Guava — Health Impact and Nutrition Comparison

Vitamins

Compared to pears, guavas contain a greater concentration of vitamins, particularly vitamin A and vitamin C. Guava also contains more vitamin E and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, and B6. On the other hand, pears are higher in vitamin K. Both fruits are devoid of vitamin D, vitamin B9, and vitamin B12.

Vitamin Comparison

Vitamin comparison score is based on the number of vitamins by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Pear

1

Guava

10

Contains more Vitamin KVitamin K

+69.2%

Contains more Vitamin CVitamin C	+5209.3%
Contains more Vitamin AVitamin A	+2396%
Contains more Vitamin EVitamin E	+508.3%
Contains more Vitamin B1Vitamin B1	+458.3%
Contains more Vitamin B2Vitamin B2	+53.8%
Contains more Vitamin B3Vitamin B3	+573.3%
Contains more Vitamin B5Vitamin B5	+820.4%
Contains more Vitamin B6Vitamin B6	+279.3%
Contains more FolateFolate	+600%
Contains more CholineCholine	+49%

~equal in Vitamin D ~0µg

~equal in Vitamin B12 ~0µg

Minerals

Guava contains more minerals, such as iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, copper, zinc, and phosphorus. Pears have half the salt content of guava, with pears having 1mg and guava having 2mg.

Mineral Comparison

Mineral comparison score is based on the number of minerals by which one or the other food is richer. The "coverage" charts below show how much of the daily needs can be covered by 300 grams of the food.

Pear

1

Guava

9

Contains less SodiumSodium

-50%

Contains more MagnesiumMagnesium	+214.3%
Contains more CalciumCalcium	+100%
Contains more PotassiumPotassium	+259.5%
Contains more IronIron	+44.4%
Contains more CopperCopper	+180.5%
Contains more ZincZinc	+130%
Contains more PhosphorusPhosphorus	+233.3%
Contains more ManganeseManganese	+212.5%
Contains more SeleniumSelenium	+500%

Oxalates

Pears have an oxalate concentration of 4mg, whereas guavas have a slightly higher oxalate content of 6mg. 

Glycemic Index

Even though guavas and apples have low GI, the GI of pear (38) is somewhat more significant than the GI of guava (31). 

Glycemic Load

Guava has a more significant glycemic load of 8, classifying it as low, but pears have a lower glycemic load of 2, likewise classifying it as low.

Acidity

Guava has a PRAL (potential renal acid load) of -2.1, suggesting it is alkaline. On the other hand, pears have a slightly higher alkaline PRAL value of -6.8. Guava (about 3-4) and pear (3.5-4.6) acidity levels are within the usual pH range for fruits, with lower values being more acidic. 

Cardiovascular Health

Guavas and pears both benefit heart health in different ways. Pears, which are abundant in antioxidants including procyanidins and quercetin, have been shown to reduce heart tissue stiffness, lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, enhance HDL (good) cholesterol, and lower heart disease risk factors like high blood pressure and cholesterol levels (3,4,5,6,7). Regular pear eating has been demonstrated to reduce stroke risk significantly (8). On the other hand, Guavas are known for their high quantities of antioxidants and vitamins, especially in guava leaves, which are thought to protect the heart from free radical damage (9). Guavas' high potassium and soluble fiber content also help to improve heart health, with guava leaf extract showing promise in decreasing blood pressure and cholesterol levels (10, 11).  

Diabetes

Guava, notably its leaf extract, has been shown to improve blood sugar levels, long-term blood sugar management, and insulin resistance, making it potentially advantageous for people with or at risk of developing diabetes (12, 13). Several studies have found that drinking guava-leaf tea lowers blood sugar levels, indicating that it affects post-meal glucose management (14). Pears, on the other hand, particularly red types high in anthocyanins, may help reduce the incidence of type 2 diabetes (15). Pear anthocyanins have been linked to a decreased incidence of diabetes in primary research (16). Furthermore, the pear's fiber helps delay digestion, allowing for improved blood sugar management (17).

Digestive Health

Guavas and pears are both high in dietary fiber and beneficial to digestive health. Diarrhea and constipation may be prevented or decreased by guavas or guava leaf extract (18, 19). A single guava can supply 12% of the necessary daily fiber consumption, and research indicates that guava leaf extract has antibacterial effects, neutralizing dangerous microorganisms in the stomach (20). On the other hand, pears are high in soluble and insoluble fiber, which is necessary for maintaining intestinal regularity (21, 22). With 6g of fiber per medium-sized pear, approximately 21% of daily fiber requirements are satisfied. 

Cancer

Although data from test tubes and animal studies suggests that guava and pears may have anticancer qualities, further study is needed to determine their efficacy in human cancer treatment. Guava, particularly its leaf extract, has shown promise in preventing and suppressing cancer cell proliferation, owing to its high antioxidant content. In vitro studies revealed that guava leaf oil may be more effective than certain cancer medications in inhibiting cancer cell development (23, 24, 25). Pears, too, contain substances shown to protect against cancer, such as anthocyanins and chlorogenic acid (26, 27). According to population research, diets high in fruits, particularly pears, may protect against malignancies such as lung, stomach, breast, and ovarian cancer (28, 29, 30, 31).

Allergies

While pears are typically nutritious, they can be dangerous for people with pear allergies, especially those with birch-fruit syndrome. This cross-reactivity between birch pollen and certain fruits, such as pears, is more common in northern Europe (32). Notably, the allergen responsible for this response is heat-sensitive, allowing some people with this allergy to ingest cooked pears. This condition frequently causes cross-reactions with apples, apricots, and cherries. Another kind of pear allergy, more frequent in Mediterranean areas, causes severe symptoms but does not cross-react with birch pollen. Pyr c 1, Pyr c 3, Pyr c 4, and Pyr c 5 allergens are concentrated in the peel, making it more allergenic. Mild oral allergy syndrome and severe responses, including anaphylactic shock, are all possible (33). Guava allergies, on the other hand, are uncommon, with just a small body of research indicating possible hypersensitivity in children with seasonal asthma symptoms (34). According to some accounts, guava tea leaves might induce sensitive skin dermatitis due to pollen and latex allergens (35).