Health Benefits of Fresh Pineapple

Health Benefits of Fresh Pineapple


PINEAPPLE - THE SUPERFRUIT!


Pineapple is a popular tropical fruit that's an all around kitchen companion, used for many deserts and delicacies, can be eated fresh, cooked, canned, juiced, frozen etc., and available year round in almost all groceries and supermarkets.

This superfruit has been used since the ancient times to treat a variety of ailments but it is only during the modern times that we trully understand it's medicinal wonder.



What makes pineapple a superfruit?

Let's look at the nutritional content of pineapple:

Bromelain is found in high concentration in the core of the pineapple fruit and it's stem. Here are the health benefits we get from consumption of pineapple because of it's bromelain content:


Good for your Tummy
Pineapple naturally contains bromelain which is an enzyme that breaks down molecules of protein into it's simpler form, amino acids. So, in simpler sense, bromelaid aids in the digestion of protein.

You may realize now why pineapple makes an excellent meat tenderizer.

Aside from pineapple's ability to promote digestion, it is rich in fiber and a potent anti-inflammatory  so it is used to manage a variety of gut problems like colitis, constipation, dyspepsia, indigestion, and  inflammatory bowel disease.


Natural Pain-killer
Bromelain has anti-inflammatory property that can sooth body aches such as sprains, muscle and arthritic pain. It also helps minimize swelling.


Anticoagulant
Because of bromelain's aticoagulant, anti-thrombotic, fibrinolytic capability, it can be used as a blood thinner to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.


Anti-allergy
Bromelain reduces allergic reactions like runny nose, itchiness, and clogged nose. This is helpful to people suffering from asthma and allergic rhinitis.


Anti-cancer
According to the US National Library of Medicine "Bromelain has the potential of being developed as a therapeutic agent in MPM." (Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare type of cancer that's caused by asbestos.)

Bromelain's antitumoral effect was superior to that of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), an anticancer drug:

"This antitumoral effect was superior to that of 5-FU, whose survival index was approximately 263 %, relative to the untreated control. Bromelain significantly reduced the number of lung metastasis induced by LLC transplantation, as observed with 5-FU." -- US National Library of Medicine




According to USDA, 1 cup of pineapple chunks (165g) contains about:

         = 78.9mg of vitamin C
         = 180mg of potassium
         = 9 mg of sodium



Furthermore, pineapple contains other essential nutrients such as manganese, copper, B vitamins. It's also a good source of fiber.

It is low in cholesterol, saturated fat, protein, and sodium that's why it is a recommended for those suffering from hypertension. It is also low in calories which is ideal for those wanting to loose extra pounds.


vitamin C - Immune System Booster
This makes pineapple a good immune booster that helps our body to fight commonly transmitted ailments such as cold, flu, and influenza.


Manganese - for Healthy Bones & Skin
1 cup of pineapple (165 grams) contains about 77% of our daily-recommended intake of manganese. Manganese is important for health bone and connective tissue development.




There you have it, a round up of reasons why your shouldn't miss this sweet fruit in your diet.

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