Pears, canned, heavy syrup pack, solids and liquids
Whole food · Fruits and Fruit Juices
Photo: Wikipedia
Canned pears in heavy syrup are tender, sweet slices preserved in a thick, sugary liquid that amplifies their natural floral notes. The texture is exceptionally soft and smooth, almost melting, making them a comforting pantry staple. Nutritionally, they are a source of quick energy from carbohydrates, with minimal protein or fat.
Calorie split: 1% protein · 97% carbs · 1% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People love them for their consistent, sweet flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture, which requires no preparation. They are a versatile ingredient in both desserts and savory dishes, evoking a sense of nostalgic comfort in many cultures.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content from the heavy syrup can lead to rapid blood sugar spikes, making portion control important for those managing diabetes. The canning process can also reduce the content of heat-sensitive vitamins like vitamin C. To counteract this, pair a small serving with a source of protein or healthy fat (like yogurt or nuts) to slow sugar absorption, and consider rinsing the slices to remove some surface syrup.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from natural and added sugars
- Offers dietary fiber to support digestive health
- Convenient and shelf-stable for long-term storage
- Soft texture makes it easy to eat for all ages
- Contains some essential minerals like potassium
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The heavy syrup pack was historically developed not just for sweetness, but as a preservation method; the high sugar concentration creates an osmotic pressure that inhibits microbial growth, extending shelf life for years.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 80.3 g |
| Energy | 74.0 kcal |
| Energy | 310 kj |
| Protein | 0.20 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.13 g |
| Ash | 0.15 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 19.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.6 g |
| Total Sugars | 15.2 g |
| Sucrose | 1.4 g |
| Glucose | 6.1 g |
| Fructose | 5.9 g |
| Maltose | 1.9 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 5.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.22 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 4.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 7.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 65.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 5.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.08 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.05 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.03 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.00 ug |
| Fluoride, F | 7.5 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.1 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.02 mg |
| Niacin | 0.24 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.02 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.01 mg |
| Folate, total | 1.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 1.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 1.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 1.9 mg |
| Betaine | 0.30 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 0.00 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 34.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.08 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.30 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.01 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| Threonine | 0.01 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.01 g |
| Leucine | 0.01 g |
| Lysine | 0.01 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.01 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.01 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.01 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.04 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.01 g |
| Glycine | 0.01 g |
| Proline | 0.01 g |
| Serine | 0.01 g |
FAQ
How does the nutrition of canned pears in heavy syrup compare to fresh pears?
Canned pears in heavy syrup have significantly more sugar and calories than fresh pears due to the added syrup. Fresh pears retain more of their natural vitamin C and have a firmer texture. However, canned pears are still a source of fiber.
Can I use the syrup from the can?
Yes, the syrup can be used as a sweetener in baking, cocktails, or to poach other fruits. Be aware it is very high in sugar. You can also reduce it on the stove to make a thicker glaze.
Are canned pears a good option for people with digestive issues?
Their very soft, cooked texture can be easier to digest than raw fruit for some individuals. However, the high sugar content may not be suitable for everyone, and the fiber content is lower than in fresh pears.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 0.74 kcal/g · 1% calories from protein · 1.6 g fiber · 15.2 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.08 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.