Pineapple: Some Impressive Health Benefits

 

Pineapple is more than just a delicious tropical fruit, it offers significant health benefits as well. Pineapple contains plenty of

nutrients and beneficial compounds, such as vitamin C, manganese, and enzymes to assist digestion. Eating pineapple may help boost immunity, lower cancer risk, and improve recovery time after surgery among others.

Rich in Vitamin C

Apart from its rough exterior, the pineapple is a symbol of welcome and hospitality. This dates from the 17th century, when American colonists braved dangerous trade routes to import pineapple from the Caribbean Islands and share it with guests. Pineapple is also quite hospitable to your immune system: One cup of pineapple juice has more than 88% of your daily value of cell-protecting, collagen-making vitamin C.

Highly Rich in Manganese

The mineral manganese plays an essential role in the way your body metabolizes food, clots blood, and keeps your bones healthy. One cup of pineapple has more than half of the manganese you need every day. This mineral is also present in whole grains, lentils, and black pepper.

Loaded With Vitamins and Minerals

In addition to large amounts of vitamin C and manganese, pineapples add to your daily value of vitamin B6, copper, thiamin, folate, potassium, magnesium, niacin, riboflavin, and iron.

Good for Digestion

Pineapples are the only known food source of bromelain, a combination of enzymes that digest protein. That’s why pineapple works as a meat tenderizer: The bromelain breaks down the protein and softens the meat. In your body, bromelain makes it easier for you to digest food and absorb it.

All About Antioxidants

When you eat, your body breaks down food. This process creates molecules called free radicals. The same goes for exposure to tobacco smoke and radiation. Pineapples are rich in flavonoids and phenolic acids, two antioxidants that protect your cells from free radicals that can cause chronic disease. More studies are needed, but bromelain has also been linked to reduced risk of cancer.

Eating Pineapple May Enhance Your Weight Loss

You may have heard that pineapple can lead to weight loss. There isn’t a whole lot of evidence to back up that claim, though an animal study published in April 2018 in Food Science and Biotechnology did find that pineapple juice may help decrease fat formation and increase fat breakdown. More studies in humans are needed to confirm that result, though.

Even if it doesn’t have a significant effect on your metabolism, it’s a good snack choice because it (and other fruits) is low in calories, high in important vitamins and minerals, and does not include saturated fats or trans fats, Andrews says. “There is no specific fruit or vegetable that directly causes weight loss, but they’ll help fill you up without packing in calories,” Andrews says. “So people tend to eat fewer calories overall if they consume several cups of fruits and vegetables each day as part of a well-balanced diet.”

Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Properties

Bromelain, the digestive enzyme in pineapple, has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. This helps when you have an infection, like sinusitis, or an injury, like a sprain or burn. It also offsets the joint pain of osteoarthritis. The vitamin C in pineapple juice also keeps inflammation levels low.

Post-Workout Recovery

Intense workout? The anti-inflammatory benefits of the bromelain in pineapple can help muscles recover quicker and keep you from feeling sore.