Think tanning and pigmentation are the same? Experts decode the crucial differences between the twoTanning and pigmentation are often used interchangeably, but there’s quite a difference between the two. Experts decode the difference. Published on: May 26
‘Don’t visit Sikkim if you litter’: Anand Mahindra sparks civic sense debateAnand Mahindra’s X post on littering in Sikkim has gone viral, sparking debate on civic responsibility and tourist behaviour. Updated on: May 26, 2026 4:46 PM IST By Vaishali Kapila Share via Copy link Industrialist
China and Pakistan have reached a "new broad consensus" on deepening strategic ties to beef up development of a joint economic corridor and establish the port of Gwadar as a regional connectivity hub, the neighbours said on Tuesday (May 26, 2026)
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Backpacking across Europe? A solo traveller and content creator suggests the perfect packing listA solo traveller shares the smartest Europe backpacking essentials
Woman shows ladoos melting in Delhi heat, says ‘Inki abh barfi banegi’A viral video showing boxes of ladoos turning into a soft mess has left the internet amused, as people react with memes and relatable summer experiences. Updated on: May 26
UK surgeon shares a hack to make pears even more nutritious and gut-friendly
UK surgeon shares a hack to enhance the gut-health benefits of pears: ‘More prebiotic bang for your buck per pear…’
UK surgeon shares a hack to enhance the gut-health benefits of pears: ‘More prebiotic bang for your buck per pear…’
Pears are an underrated gut health food, packed with soluble fibres that feed beneficial gut microbes. Dr Rajan shares a simple hack that can enhance benefits.
Published on: Mar 09, 2026 2:21 PM IST By Eshana Saha Share via Copy link Pears are often overlooked in the world of superfoods, but they are actually one of the most gut-friendly snacks you can eat. Packed with soluble fibres that nourish beneficial gut bacteria, this humble fruit quietly supports digestion and overall gut health. But what if you could make pears even better for your microbiome? A surprisingly simple kitchen trick could help unlock more of the fruit’s gut-boosting potential. Read more to find out how you can enhance the gut health benefits of pears! (Unsplash) Also Read | High LDL? UK surgeon shares 4 foods that can help lower bad cholesterol levels naturally: Fibre, unsaturated fats, more Dr Karan Rajan, a UK-based surgeon and popular health content creator, has shared a simple hack that may make pears even more nutritious and gut-friendly than they already are. In an Instagram video posted on March 8, the surgeon explains the freeze-thaw method and how it can help make the fruit’s nutrients more bioavailable, potentially enhancing its overall health benefits. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dr Karan Rajan (@drkaranrajan)The freeze-thaw hack
According to Dr Rajan, pears are rich in pectin, a soluble fibre that acts as prebiotic fuel for beneficial gut bacteria. However, you can make pears even more nutritious, by unlocking the pectin fibre trapped inside cell walls through the freeze-thaw method. He points out that the prebiotic fibre in fresh fruit is usually trapped inside cell walls or bound in the middle lamella. But when you freeze and thaw them multiple times, the cell walls rupture, unlocking the fibre and making it more bioavailable. The surgeon explains, “If you want to improve your gut health, you might want to try freeze-thawed pears. Pears are rich in pectin, that's a soluble fibre that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. But freeze-thawed pears might have even more gut health gains. In fresh fruit, much of the pectin is locked inside intact cell walls or bound in the middle lamella. Your gut bacteria can access some of it, but not all of it. When you freeze and thaw a pear multiple times, the cell walls rupture completely and a lot of the pectin that's trapped inside those cell walls get freed up and becomes water-soluble and thus easier to ferment. Suddenly the surface area increases dramatically, so your gut bacteria can access and ferment the fibre even more efficiently.”Fermentation of pectin
Dr Rajan highlights that pectin fibre is fermented by two key species of beneficial gut bacteria – Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Nourishing these microbes with pectin helps support a healthier and more balanced gut microbiome. The surgeon adds that when pectin is fermented by these bacteria, it produces butyrate, an important short-chain fatty acid that helps strengthen the gut barrier and protect the lining of the colon. He explains, “Pectin fibre is preferentially fermented by bifidobacterium and faecalibacterium prausnitzii. These are keystone bacterial species and feeding them means a healthier gut. Pectin fermentation produces butyrate, which is your gut's favorite fuel because butyrate powers colonocytes, the cells lining the colon, and strengthens the gut barrier.”How does the freeze-thaw hack help?
Dr Rajan explains that when the fibre has already been mechanically broken down through the freeze-thaw process, it becomes easier for gut bacteria to access it and extract a greater amount of beneficial metabolites once the fruit reaches the digestive tract. He also reassures that this hack is completely safe, as it essentially accelerates the fruit’s natural ripening process, making the fibre more bioavailable. According to the surgeon, three to four freeze-thaw cycles are the sweet spot, allowing you to maximise fibre availability without the fruit turning overly mushy. He emphasises, “Because the fibre is mechanically pre-broken down, the bacteria can extract even more metabolites from the same amount of fruit. You're getting more prebiotic bang for your buck per pear, and this is completely safe. You're not doing anything weird to the fruit; you're just accelerating what happens naturally during ripening. You've just made the fibre more bioavailable. The more freeze-thaw cycles, the more cell wall breakdown you get, but three to four cycles is the sweet spot where you get maximum fibre accessibility without turning it into mush.” Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Eshana Saha Eshana Saha is a fresh face in lifestyle and cultural journalism, bringing a refined, multidisciplinary perspective to the intersection of entertainment, fashion and holistic wellbeing. With less than a year of professional experience, she has quickly adapted to high-pressure editorial environments and currently works full-time with HT Media. Prior to this, she interned for nearly six months with Hindustan Times’ entertainment and lifestyle vertical, where she gained hands-on experience in digital reporting, trend analysis and editorial storytelling. Based in New Delhi, Eshana specialises in comprehensive coverage of major cultural moments — from international film press tours to the curated aesthetics of global fashion showcases, award shows and music-centred events. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from St Xavier’s University, Kolkata, and a Master’s degree in English from the University of Delhi, equipping her with a strong academic foundation and a keen ability to deconstruct complex cultural trends into clear, high-impact narratives. Beyond the red carpet, Eshana has developed a growing focus on health and wellbeing reporting. She bridges the gap between celebrity-driven trends and practical, evidence-informed lifestyle advice, ensuring her work remains both aspirational and grounded in editorial rigour. She has extensively covered the health implications of Delhi’s air pollution crisis, while also playing a key role in amplifying expert-led insights on women’s health and mental wellbeing, helping translate complex medical perspectives into informed, impactful public awareness. An artist at heart, she explores multiple creative forms — from visual arts and music to culinary experiments — and brings a creative’s eye for nuance, texture and detail to every story. Whether analysing runway dynamics or examining emerging wellness movements, she remains committed to accuracy and the highest standards of contemporary journalistic ethics.Read More Fruit Gut Microbiome Nutrition Catch every big hit, every wicket with Crick-it, a one stop destination for Live Scores, Match Stats, Quizzes, Polls & much more. Explore now!.Catch your daily dose of Fashion, Taylor Swift, Health, Festivals, Travel, Relationship, Recipe and all the other Latest Lifestyle News on Hindustan Times Website and APPs. News / Lifestyle / Health / UK Surgeon Shares A Hack To Enhance The Gut-health Benefits Of Pears: ‘More Prebiotic Bang For Your Buck Per Pear…’ See Less
Pears are often overlooked in the world of superfoods, but they are actually one of the most gut-friendly snacks you can eat. Packed with soluble fibres that nourish beneficial gut bacteria, this humble fruit quietly supports digestion and overall gut health. But what if you could make pears even better for your microbiome? A surprisingly simple kitchen trick could help unlock more of the fruit’s gut-boosting potential.
Also Read | High LDL? UK surgeon shares 4 foods that can help lower bad cholesterol levels naturally: Fibre, unsaturated fats, more
Dr Karan Rajan, a UK-based surgeon and popular health content creator, has shared a simple hack that may make pears even more nutritious and gut-friendly than they already are. In an Instagram video posted on March 8, the surgeon explains the freeze-thaw method and how it can help make the fruit’s nutrients more bioavailable, potentially enhancing its overall health benefits.
The surgeon explains, “If you want to improve your gut health, you might want to try freeze-thawed pears. Pears are rich in pectin, that's a soluble fibre that feeds beneficial gut bacteria. But freeze-thawed pears might have even more gut health gains. In fresh fruit, much of the pectin is locked inside intact cell walls or bound in the middle lamella. Your gut bacteria can access some of it, but not all of it. When you freeze and thaw a pear multiple times, the cell walls rupture completely and a lot of the pectin that's trapped inside those cell walls get freed up and becomes water-soluble and thus easier to ferment. Suddenly the surface area increases dramatically, so your gut bacteria can access and ferment the fibre even more efficiently.”
He explains, “Pectin fibre is preferentially fermented by bifidobacterium and faecalibacterium prausnitzii. These are keystone bacterial species and feeding them means a healthier gut. Pectin fermentation produces butyrate, which is your gut's favorite fuel because butyrate powers colonocytes, the cells lining the colon, and strengthens the gut barrier.”
He emphasises, “Because the fibre is mechanically pre-broken down, the bacteria can extract even more metabolites from the same amount of fruit. You're getting more prebiotic bang for your buck per pear, and this is completely safe. You're not doing anything weird to the fruit; you're just accelerating what happens naturally during ripening. You've just made the fibre more bioavailable. The more freeze-thaw cycles, the more cell wall breakdown you get, but three to four cycles is the sweet spot where you get maximum fibre accessibility without turning it into mush.”
Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.
Source: HindustanTimes
Related Posts: CBSE Class 11 Paytm Shares Jump 6% After RBI Nod For Online Payment Aggregation Business Independence Day 2025 How The New Income Tax Bill 2025 Impact Your Finances 3-Month CAT 2025 Preparation Plan YouTube Now Offers AI-Powered Search Feature For More Users But Not In India Explained Looking For An Education Loan Siri’s Big Upgrade Bank Of Maharashtra Is Hiring For 500 Generalist Officer Posts
Martha Mitchell was a flamboyant Washington DC socialite whose husband was embroiled in the Watergate scandal. Her shocking claims of a violent abduction and a "dirty business" were ridiculed as delusional – until they turned out to be true. Martha Mitchell was a character; everyone agreed on
1 days ago
From the academic year 2026–27, bilingual classes will be introduced in all government schools across 15 districts of the state. While the government had earlier announced that English would be introduced in LKG classes, a fresh directive now states that an Urdu-English bilingual medium will also
1 days ago
Trading scalpel for golf irons: Indian-origin golfer Manav Shah’s stirring journey to US OpenTrading scalpel for golf irons: Indian-origin golfer Manav Shah’s stirring journey to US Open Updated on: May 26, 2026 4:14 PM IST PTI Share via Copy link New Delhi
1 days ago
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has said that he was not in favour of Islamabad joining the Abraham Accords to normalise relations with Israel. Also read | Pakistan deploys jet squadron, thousands of troops to Saudi Arabia amid escalating Iran war tensionsPakistan’s Defence Minister
1 days ago
AIADMK MLA Esakki Subaya submitted his resignation today. He is the fourth MLA from the party to resign in two days. Subaya supported former ministers C Ve Shanmugam and S P Velumani. Three other AIADMK MLAs also resigned yesterday. They are expected to get tickets for upcoming byelections from the
1 days ago
Kimi Antonelli extended his lead in the drivers' championship after Mercedes team-mate George Russell retired from the Canadian Grand Prix. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton finished second and Max Verstappen's Red Bull made up the top three. Russell was successful earlier in the weekend when he converted
1 days ago
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of three persons who died in February 2003 during protests seeking to declare the Bhojshala-Kamal Maula mosque complex in Dhar district as a temple, The Hindu reported
1 days ago
2026 Honda City facelift on wishlist? Key genuine accessories you can buyThe 2026 Honda City facelift can be accessorised with a plethora of genuine accessories. Published on: May 26, 2026 1:40 PM IST By Mainak Das Share via Copy link Limited Time Deals on Popular cars Volvo XC90 ₹ 97
1 days ago
Lawyer seeks to register Cockroach Janta Party separately from US-based founderSudhir Jakhar, the lawyer calling himself the party’s national convener, submitted the application to the ECI secretary Updated on: May 26, 2026 1:57 PM IST By Harsh Yadav Share via Copy link A lawyer from Haryana’s
1 days ago
South Korean seven-piece BTS have won Artist of the Year at the American Music Awards (AMAs) for the second consecutive year, cementing their status as one of the world's biggest bands. The award, considered the ceremony's grand prize, is just the latest crown jewel for the so-called kings of K-pop
1 days ago
The ET Most Innovative AI Product Awards 2026 recognises the AI Platforms, Infrastructure & Developer Tools category. It highlights the technologies powering the next phase of enterprise AI from platforms and MLOps to observability and developer tools. These innovations are enabling scalable
1 days ago
Vedant Shrivastava posts correct CBSE answer sheet, alleges marks slashed for right answerClass 12 student Vedant Shrivastava has received his correct answer sheets after CBSE admitted to a mix-up with his Physics paper. Updated on: May 26, 2026 1:13 PM IST By Sanya Jain Share via Copy link Class
1 days ago
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced plans to boost the state's economy to Rs 10 lakh crore by 2028. He stated the tabling of the Uniform Civil Code bill demonstrates the government's dedication to the rights of minority women. Sarma also noted the election results reflected public
1 days ago
Air India has rolled out an upgrade to its Maharaja Club loyalty programme, allowing members to earn and redeem Maharaja Points on Air India Express flights covering more than 55 destinations across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and West Asia. The move broadens the scope of the airline group’s
1 days ago
Hansal Mehta has long been recognised as one of India’s most emotionally observant storytellers. Whether through the raw realism of Shahid, the intimacy of Aligarh, the unsettling tension of Scam 1992 or the deeply human narratives that run across his body of work
1 days ago
Tech Tonic | Ferrari Luce, Sir Jony Ive, and a subversion of ethosFerrari Luce is trying to tell the carmakers of the world that cars don’t have to feel like driving a tablet. Published on: May 26, 2026 11:43 AM IST By Vishal Mathur Share via Copy link The first car from Sir Jonathan Paul Ive
1 days ago
SC stays Delhi HC ruling against barring law students over attendance shortageA bench of justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the interim order while issuing notice on a petition filed by the Bar Council of India (BCI) against the November 2025 judgment of the Delhi HC Published on: May 26
1 days ago
Hema Malini’s blush pink saree for receiving Dharmendra’s Padma Vibhushan is all about elegance and simplicity. See picsVeteran actor Hema Malini looked graceful in a blush pink saree as she accepted late actor Dharmendra’s Padma Vibhushan at the 2026 ceremony in New Delhi
1 days ago
Bengaluru traffic police slaps auto driver over accident, viral video sparks outrageMany on social media have tagged Bengaluru Police, urging them to take a look into the matter where a cop allegedly slapped an auto driver. Published on: May 26
1 days ago
Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich on Monday (May 25, 2026) called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume bombing Beirut in response to increased explosive drone attacks by Hezbollah on Israeli troops and northern Israel towns. Mr
1 days ago
has reported a net profit of Rs 48.4 crore for FY26, its first full financial year after the completed its with , marking a turnaround from a Rs 216.7 crore loss in the previous year.Total income more than doubled to Rs 1,402.7 crore in FY26 from Rs 603.8 crore in FY25
1 days ago
Partnership, the firm cofounded by Indian entrepreneurs , Sanjeev Kumar and Ashish Kumar, has launched a dedicated frontier-tech investment platform, (Fundamentum Frontier Advisors), with Rs 3,000 crore to invest in artificial intelligence and deeptech startups.Of this, Rs 2
1 days ago
The admission process for IGNOU July 2026 session has commenced for Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and online programmes. Interested students can apply by visiting ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in. The Indira Gandhi National Open University has started the admission process for the July 2026
1 days ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.From instant coffee to incredible: The best easy-to-use brewers for a better morningGood coffee at home no longer needs cafe visits, as these coffee machines can handle espresso
1 days ago
5 crystals to bring luck and financial growthGemstones are tools to connect your goals with your actions and mindset. Here are five crystals that are often linked with luck and financial growth. Updated on: May 26, 2026 1:20 PM IST Edited by Kanakanjali Roy Share via Copy link While crystals are
1 days ago
The U.S. military said it carried out “self-defence” strikes in southern Iran, including on missile launch sites and boats placing mines, even as President Donald Trump said on social media that negotiations were “proceeding nicely”. The strikes were done “to protect our troops from
1 days ago
Wall Street is abuzz with next month’s expected blockbuster debut of Elon Musk’s rocket and satellite maker SpaceX, but few of the biggest IPOs in recent years have paid off for investors who bought in when the deals came to market. A Reuters analysis of the 50 IPOs with the highest
1 days ago
