What are the benefits and drawbacks of drinking pear juice in autumn?
Dec 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Huang Yuhong
Introduction
The benefits of drinking pear-infused water in autumn generally include nourishing yin, moistening the lungs, promoting saliva production to quench thirst, alleviating autumn dryness, replenishing nutrients, and soothing the throat. Potential drawbacks may include gastrointestinal irritation due to its cooling nature, increasing internal dampness, and impairing digestive function. Pears are naturally cool in nature and sweet in taste; when boiled in water, they retain their lung-moistening properties. As the air tends to be dry in autumn, consuming pear water can nourish lung yin, relieve discomforts such as dry cough and minimal phlegm caused by lung dryness, and support overall lung health.
Benefits of drinking pear water in autumn generally include nourishing yin and moistening the lungs, promoting saliva production to relieve thirst, alleviating autumn dryness, supplementing nutrients, and soothing the throat. Potential drawbacks may include gastrointestinal irritation due to its cold nature, increasing internal dampness, impairing digestive function, causing blood sugar fluctuations, and triggering diarrhea. Detailed analysis is as follows:
I. Benefits
1. Nourishes Yin and Moistens the Lungs: Pears are cool in nature and sweet in taste. When boiled in water, they retain their lung-moistening properties. In autumn, when the air is dry, drinking pear water helps nourish lung yin and relieve discomfort caused by dry coughs and minimal phlegm due to lung dryness, thus supporting lung health.
2. Promotes Saliva Production and Relieves Thirst: Pear water is rich in water and fructose, which can quickly replenish bodily fluids and alleviate symptoms such as dry mouth, sore throat, and itchy throat common in autumn, keeping the mouth and throat moist.
3. Alleviates Autumn Dryness: During autumn, the body is prone to "autumn dryness," leading to dry skin, constipation, and other issues. Pear water has heat-clearing and drying-relieving effects, helping the body eliminate excess dry heat and reduce discomfort associated with autumn dryness.
4. Supplements Nutrients: Pears contain vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, and various minerals. When boiled in water, some of these nutrients dissolve into the liquid, providing nutritional support and enhancing the body's resistance.
5. Soothes the Throat: For sore throat or hoarseness caused by dryness or mild internal heat in autumn, pear water has a calming effect, reducing congestion of the throat mucosa and bringing comfort to the throat.
II. Drawbacks
1. Cold Nature Irritates the Gastrointestinal Tract: Pears are inherently cooling. Even after boiling, their cold nature isn't completely neutralized. People with spleen-stomach deficiency and cold constitution may experience abdominal pain or bloating after consumption due to cold stimulation.
2. Increases Internal Dampness: Pear water contains a high amount of moisture. For individuals already suffering from excessive dampness in the body, long-term and excessive consumption may lead to accumulation of fluid and dampness, worsening symptoms such as heaviness in the body and fatigue.
3. Impairs Digestive Function: Drinking too much pear water can dilute gastric juices and reduce the activity of digestive enzymes. Especially when consumed on an empty stomach, it may interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption, leading to indigestion.
4. Causes Blood Sugar Fluctuations: Pear water contains a certain amount of fructose. For people with diabetes or poor blood sugar control, consuming it may cause elevated blood glucose levels, making it harder to maintain stable blood sugar.
5. Triggers Diarrhea: Individuals with sensitive constitutions or weak gastrointestinal function may experience accelerated intestinal motility after excessive consumption of cold pear water, potentially leading to diarrhea and disrupting normal metabolism.
When drinking pear water in autumn, adjustments should be made according to individual constitution. Those with spleen-stomach deficiency and coldness can add ginger or red dates to counteract the cooling effect. Consumption should be moderated to avoid overuse, and diabetic patients should opt for unsweetened pear water.
