Pineapples are delicious tropical fruits, which have been celebrated for centuries not only for their unique taste but also for their miraculous health benefits. The health and medicinal benefits of pineapple include boosting the immune system, and respiratory health, aiding digestion, strengthening bones, reducing inflammation, curing coughs and colds, and weight loss.
What Pineapple Is
Pineapple, also known as ananas, is a delicious tropical fruit surrounded by thorny spikes and topped with hard, waxy leaves that are sometimes up to 30 per fruit. The fruit is up to a foot long and has a combination of sweet and tart taste. Pineapple belongs to the Bromeliaceae family and is actually a composite fruit made of coalesced berries that grow at the crown of a fruiting tree. The name pineapple evolved in the 17th century due to its structure and appearance being similar to pine cones.
History
Hawaii had the largest production of pineapples, but they are now cultivated in large quantities in Brazil, the Philippines, and Costa Rica. The fruit is native to Paraguay and Brazil, and some parts of the Caribbean. The exact evolution of pineapple as a popular global fruit is still unknown; however, it is believed that pineapple was first brought to Europe following Christopher Columbus’s return in 1493.
Pineapple Nutrition
Pineapples are a storehouse of several health benefits due to their nutrients. They contain bromelain, carbohydrates and soluble and insoluble fiber. The vitamins in these fruits include vitamin C, beta-carotene, thiamin, vitamin B6, and folate. Minerals like potassium, copper, manganese, calcium, and magnesium are also found in pineapples. These tropical fruits are low in calories and are, therefore, a major part of weight loss diets.
Health Benefits of Pineapple
Pineapple has many health benefits. These are the 11 benefits:
Treats Arthritis
Pineapple has an ability to reduce the inflammation of joints and muscles, particularly those associated with arthritis. It contains a rare proteolytic enzyme called bromelain, which primarily aids in breaking down of complex proteins and has anti-inflammatory effects as well.
Boosts Immunity
Pineapple is rich in vitamin C, which makes it one of the richest sources of ascorbic acid. Vitamin C helps in reducing illnesses and boosting the immune system by stimulating the activity of white blood cells and acting as an antioxidant to defend against the harmful effects of free radicals.
Speeds-up Wound Healing
High vitamin C content in pineapple helps you heal wounds and injuries quickly and also defends you against infections and illnesses. Vitamin C plays an essential role in creating collagen. This is partly the reason why it is seen as a healing vitamin because collagen is the essential protein base of blood vessel walls, skin, organs, and bones.
Prevents Cancer
Pineapple has been directly related to preventing cancers of the mouth, throat, and breast as it is rich in antioxidants, including vitamin A, beta-carotene, bromelain, flavonoids, and manganese. Manganese is an important cofactor of superoxide dismutase, an extremely potent free radical scavenger that has been associated with the prevention of different cancers.
Aids in Digestion
Eating pineapples regularly can protect you from many health conditions, including constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), atherosclerosis, and blood clotting as well as high blood pressure. Pineapple, being rich in fiber, promotes the passage of food through the digestive tract at a normal rate and stimulates the release of gastric and digestive juices to help food dissolve. It also bulks up the loose stool, which helps in treating diarrhea and IBS. Furthermore, the bromelain in pineapple stimulates protein digestion, reduces gut inflammation, and therefore, treats digestive issues.
Treats Cough and Cold
Pineapple is rich in both bromelain and vitamin C, therefore it helps in preventing and treating respiratory illnesses while eliminating phlegm and mucus from your body if you’ve already contracted an illness or infection. These two nutrients are connected with the reduction of phlegm and mucus build up in the respiratory tracts and sinus cavities.
Improves Bone Health
Pineapple contains an impressive amount of manganese. Manganese is a trace mineral essential for the strengthening of bones as well as their growth and repair. It is the most prominent mineral in pineapple, and a single serving can provide you with more than 70% of your daily requirement of this mineral.
Improves Oral Health
Along with the antioxidants that protect against oral cancer, pineapple also has astringent properties, which strengthen gums and teeth. Astringent agents help tighten up tissues and tone the body so that tooth loss, hair loss, muscle weakness, and skin loosening do not occur. Pineapple is a very powerful astringent and is often prescribed as a natural remedy to fix the loosening of teeth or the retraction of gums.
Improves Vision
Pineapple has the ability to improve eye health and prevent other age-related eye diseases. Macular degeneration affects many elderly people and beta-carotene present in pineapple can help prevent this vision problem.
Regulates Blood Pressure
Pineapple is a valuable source of potassium. The vasodilating action of potassium eases tension and stress in the blood vessels and increases blood circulation to various parts of the body. When your blood vessels relax, the blood pressure is reduced and the flow of blood is less restricted. This can prevent clots from blocking the flow of blood and reduce the accumulation of plaque in the arteries and vessels which, in turn, helps prevent conditions like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes. So, eat pineapples for a healthy heart!
Improves Blood Circulation
Along with the vasodilating potential of potassium, pineapple also provides the body with copper, another essential mineral that functions in a number of enzymatic reactions and compounds in the body. Most notably, copper is a necessary element for the formation of healthy red blood cells. High red blood cell count increases oxygenation to various organs and makes them function at optimal levels. It also increases cognitive abilities and maintains neural pathways to prevent disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Uses of Pineapples
Pineapple is eaten fresh, juiced, cooked, or preserved, and its leaves are even used as wallpaper and ceiling insulation.
Pineapple and its juice are enjoyed around the world most famously as the tropical drink, pina colada, and even as a popular flavor in alcoholic beverages.
Side Effects of Pineapple
The side effects of pineapple are mainly because of the high proportions bromelain and vitamin C present in it. Common side effects include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Headaches
- Nausea
Risks
Sensitivity: The bromelain enzyme present in pineapple is primarily a meat-tenderizing enzyme, which helps in the digestion of tough foods. This can result in the softening or tenderness of your ‘meat’ as well, meaning that your lips, gums, and tongue may experience some tenderness or sensitivity if you eat too much pineapple.
- Pregnancy: Bromelain has been known to stimulate menstruation, so pregnant women should avoid excessive intake of pineapple in order to prevent any chances of a miscarriage. (Organic Facts)
