Pineapples are a tropical fruit with exceptional juiciness and the perfect rich unique blend of sweet and tart flavors. Exploding in nutrition and powerful healing properties, the health benefits of pineapples are immense. What makes this tropical treat so exceptional is that it’s the only dietary source of a potent anti-inflammatory compound called bromelain. Several studies and clinical trials have shown that the healthy enzymes in pineapples, especially bromelain, can help fight against several health problems, including digestive disorders, inflammation, sinusitis, respiratory illness, atherosclerosis, and various types of cancer. Incorporating this delicious fruit into your diet can promote optimum health and wellbeing.
Pineapples are a cylinder-shaped tropical fruits featuring a crosshatched skin marked with eyes and adorned with a regal crown of green wax-coated spikey leaves. When unripened, pineapple skin is greenish in color that gradually transforms into a deep shade of orange once as it ripens. Pineapples with vibrant orange skin and a sweet aroma are ripe and ready to eat. The inside of the fruit has a vibrant yellow luscious flesh with a delicious taste that is both sweet and tart.
Rich in nutrition, antioxidants, and minerals, the anatomy of pineapple is just as fascinating as the taste. The most interesting thing is that pineapple itself is not a single fruit, but fruitlets of several flowers fused to form a single pineapple. Each fruitlet resembles the spiny eye on the skin of the fruit.
These delicious tropical treats have an amazing taste and can be easily incorporated into versatile dishes. From drinks, pastries, ice-cream, and cookies to crunchy salads, pineapples occupy a dominant place in world cuisine. The delectable fruit offers more than just taste. Pineapples are packed with nutrients and are one of the world's healthiest foods. Some of the immense health benefits include being rich in fiber as well as several antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals including vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B, manganese, and copper. Most of the therapeutic benefits of pineapples can be attributed to the presence of a powerful anti-inflammatory compound, bromelain. Pineapples are the only edible sources of bromelain, which is known to protect your body against numerous diseases including cancer. Being nutrient-rich, pineapples can help alleviate stress and the symptoms of Adrenal Fatigue.
If you frequently experience extreme fatigue along with symptoms like brain fog, low energy levels, insomnia, anxiety, low concentration levels, constipation, weight gain, and salty and fatty food cravings, chances are high that you have Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome (AFS). The NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) stress response system is your body’s first line of defense against stress. When your body confronts a stressful situation, the NEM system signals to your adrenal glands to start secreting the anti-stress hormone, cortisol. However, if stress persists, your adrenals eventually become overburdened and are no longer able to secrete an adequate amount of cortisol. This reduces the stress-fighting ability of your body and can leave you fatigued.
The unsurpassed health benefits of this delectable fruit makes pineapple exceptional, and by including pineapple in your diet you can reap the benefits.
Vitamin C is a water-soluble antioxidant that stimulates white blood cell activity and thus, boosts immunity and protects against various diseases. By offering protection against the damaging effect of free radicals, vitamin C can also prevent cell damage. The byproducts of cellular metabolism as well as excess free radicals—constant sources of stress your body and adrenal glans must fight against—are extremely dangerous and can damage vital organs.
Pineapples are one of the richest and most delicious sources of vitamin C and are also loaded with bromelain, which improves your immunity. Just a single serving of this delicious fruit can help meet your daily recommended vitamin C intake making it an amazing source of this essential vitamin.
Luscious pineapple also contains your daily recommended allowance of manganese, a nutrient that promotes stronger bones and the healthy growth of connecting tissue. Numerous studies suggest manganese along with other trace minerals can help prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.
One of the greatest benefits of pineapples is that they provide relief from various health issues including digestive disorders such as diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. People suffering from AFS often have to deal with constipation. Pineapples are rich in both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber, which may alleviate constipation by allowing food to pass smoothly through the digestive tract.
This delicious tropical treat is also rich in a number of healthy enzymes that support gut health and naturally boosts digestion by stimulating the secretion of gastric juices. Further, the bromelain in pineapple helps break down protein for easier digestion and provides relief from several digestive issues, including ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcer, colon cancer, and heartburn. Studies have shown that bromelain can provide relief from chronic inflammation and reduce proinflammatory cytokines, which damage the gut lining. Fresh pineapple juice also works as a natural remedy to get rid of intestinal worms.
Loaded with powerful antioxidants, vitamin C, and beta-carotene, pineapple promotes healthy vision and reduces the risk of age-related eye disorders, such as macular degeneration. Studies have linked eating pineapple with a decrease in the rate of developing macular degeneration and cataract.
The amazing benefits of pineapples extend to remarkable therapeutic properties as well. It is the only dietary source containing the anti-inflammatory compound bromelain and therefore, significantly fights the muscle and joint inflammation linked to arthritis.
The anti-inflammatory properties of pineapples may help to:
Bromelain is found throughout the entire fruit but the highest concentration is found in the core. So next time you make pineapple juice or a smoothie, make sure you include the core as well. A number of studies have suggested that bromelain can help treat osteoarthritis and pineapple is also rich in rare proteolytic enzymes linked with increased survival rates in animals with various types of tumor.
The rich vitamin C content of pineapple may support collagen production, thus, promoting rapid wound healing. Vitamin C also protects against infections and relieves pain.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, since pineapple is rich in bromelain and vitamin C, eating pineapple may significantly reduce excess mucus and phlegm in the respiratory tract and sinus cavities. If you have any respiratory illness, including a cold, sore throat, sinusitis, or excess mucus, feasting on fresh pineapple chunks may be helpful. The anti-inflammatory properties of pineapple may also help treat bronchitis and asthma by reducing inflammation and clearing your airways.
People with a high risk of blood clots should consider incorporating pineapple into their diet. Pineapple is known to minimize excessive blood coagulation.
In atherosclerosis, plaque is deposited in the inner wall of arteries, which can lead to serious health problems such as stroke, heart attack, and even death. Bad (LDL) cholesterol and free radicals are two major culprits of atherosclerosis. Moreover, heart attack is a major causes of death worldwide. Pineapples are loaded with antioxidants and are healing foods that can prevent atherosclerosis by lowering LDL cholesterol levels and increasing good cholesterol levels in your body. Epidemiologic studies have shown that antioxidants, such as vitamin C and vitamin E, can protect against coronary artery disease.
If you’re looking to shed a few extra pounds, you can reap the benefits of pineapples by including them in your diet. The tasty fruit is loaded with nutrients and fiber and will give you a feeling of fullness without adding too many calories, thereby helping to reduce stubborn weight, especially for those suffering with AFS. Pineapple is also high in water content, keeping you satiated and hydrated for a longer duration. According to a study conducted at the University of Maryland, pineapples boost digestion, reduce stomach bloating, and promote a flatter waistline.
Cancer frequently claims lives worldwide. Fortunately, studies have linked a diet rich in deep yellow vegetables with a reduced risk of developing colon cancer. According to a study conducted at the University of Naples Federico II in Italy, pineapple may prevent the growth of cancerous cells. The compound also works effectively with chemotherapy to suppress cancerous cell growth. Pineapples are loaded with several antioxidants including vitamin A, beta-carotene, manganese, and flavonoid, which may prevent cancer of the throat, breast, mouth, stomach, and prostate.
One of the most overlooked benefits of pineapples is that, due to its high manganese content, it can promote bone health. The trace mineral is essential for strengthening teeth and bones. A single serving of pineapple is enough to meet 70% of the daily recommended intake of manganese.
In addition to being rich in antioxidants that help fight oral cancer, pineapples have astringent properties, which may strengthen and tighten tissues preventing the loss of teeth and hair and can fight muscle weakness. Pineapple is a powerful astringent that can naturally tighten and tone your body and is often recommended as a natural remedy for fixing weak teeth and gums.
Pineapples contain copper which plays a vital role in the formation of red blood cells that carry oxygen to various parts of your body. A high red blood cell count improves the supply of oxygen and enhances blood circulation so your entire system can function optimally. Pineapple has also been shown to help prevent neural disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia by boosting cognitive ability and maintaining neural pathways.
Potassium deficiency can cause several health issues. Pineapples are rich in several essential minerals including potassium, which can reduce high blood pressure. The mineral has vasodilatory effects, easing tension and stress in blood vessels to facilitate smoother blood flow and enhance the circulation of blood throughout your body. Relaxed blood vessels allow unobstructed blood flow, prevent blood clots, and reduce plaque formation in blood vessels, which may prevent conditions such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, and atherosclerosis. It’s important to be careful in advanced cases of AFS since balancing fluids and electrolytes is often a tightrope walk. Potassium levels tend to be higher in advanced AFS and increasing potassium intake may lead to adverse consequences.
High in nutrition and low in calories, eating pineapple is a delicious way to stay healthy. Pineapple is rich in several vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and minerals, which are just some of the profound health benefits of pineapples. The fruit is also high in a rare anti-inflammatory compound, bromelain, associated with an extensive range of therapeutic and healing properties.
Incorporating pineapple into your diet may help fight inflammation, fatigue, stress, weight gain, cancer, blood clotting, sinusitis, respiratory illnesses, digestive disorders, and atherosclerosis. Eating this luscious fruit may also promote oral, bone, and cell health, boost immunity, and help maintain a healthy blood pressure. Benefits of pineapples also include healthy vision, flawless wrinkle-free skin, and improved blood circulation.
There are several ways to fully reap the benefits of pineapples. The fruit is incredibly rich in nutrients, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. When eaten in its natural form, the nutrients of the fruit remain intact. Consider including pineapple along with the core in smoothies and juices. Fresh chunks of pineapple added to salads or as toppings on dessert offer a great boost of both flavor and nutrition to your dish.
