Pineapple is a tropical fruit with an exceptional juicy taste and dessert flavor consisting of coalesced berries and bromelain enzymes that can break down protein.
It contains antioxidant elements, enzymes, and essential vitamins with fewer calories.
Pineapple’s health benefits are fantastic and one of the best choices of fruits by medical experts to be taken in moderation to get all the vital nutrients in the right proportion.
The 15 Awesome health benefits of pineapples include the following;
- Build Muscular Bones
The manganese content and the trace of minerals in pineapple help develop muscular bones and connective tissues, thereby strengthening the bones.
It has been proven that the content of this mineral, when consumed adequately, can help prevent bone-related conditions such as osteoporosis, especially in the aged and post-menopausal women.
- Improve Eye Health
Consumption of pineapple helps reduce muscular degeneration and eye problems, mainly in aged people due to the high content of vitamin C and antioxidants found.
It helps prevent fat accumulation under the retina as it helps build the connective tissues in the body, such as the eye.
- Improves the Immune System
Pineapple contains a rich amount of vitamin C, which provides the body with the help and support it needs to improve the immune system.
The vitamin, which acts as antioxidants, also helps prevent elements that can cause cell damage in the body, thereby preventing inflammation of the colon or intestine, pains in the joints, and heart-related conditions.
- Prevents Cancer
Pineapples help reduce severe inflammation due to a complex mixture of substances that can be gotten from the core of the pineapple called bromelain. It contains anti-inflammatory properties that help in the healing of wounds and other skin problems.
And dues to its anti-inflammatory properties, it can help prevent inflammation, which is one of the leading causes of cancer growth in the body.
Recent research shows that bromelain helps suppress the effects of cancer growth in many body areas and improves the functions of the dead cells in the body.
- 5.Proper Digestion
Pineapple contains dietary fiber, which helps to keep the intestine healthy. It has a high amount of bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme that breaks down protein in the body, thus making digestion very easy.
Generally, pineapple is reasonably necessary to be incorporated into diets because it aids in digestion and reduces constipation.
- Exfoliates the Skin
Alpha hydroxy acids are also present in pineapple, and it helps to exfoliate dead skin cells. Both pineapple root and the fruit contain the enzyme bromelain, which can break down the connecting layers between skin cells to exfoliate skin and effectively keep it smooth and healthy.
- Reduces Nausea
The intake of pineapple juice can help reduce nausea caused by conditions such as menstrual cramps or morning sickness.
Since it helps relieve this symptom, it can also trigger and vomiting if not taken in moderation.
- Improves Blood Circulation
The presence of potassium in pineapple and copper will create a particular enzyme that contributes to the circulation of red blood cells, ensuring optimal oxygenation in various parts of the body.
Help improves blood circulation in the system and prevents any related health conditions caused by such.
- Reduces Blood Clotting
Eating pineapple fruit will also help in blood clot reduction due to the amount of bromelain enzyme that removes plaques found in the arteries.
Therefore, it is advised to add pineapple to your daily diet as the enzymes present will help remove any form of blood clots by breaking them up and making sure that no new clot is formed.
- Contains Antioxidants
Pineapple is rich in antioxidants such as phenolic acids and flavonoids. One of the roles of these antioxidants is to prevent the oxidation processes that release free radicals (chemicals) that take place in the body from damaging the vital cells and organs.
It will reduce the risk of stomach ulcers and other health conditions, which leads to soreness and inflammation of the body organs.
- Relieves Arthritis Symptoms
The content of bromelain in pineapple plays a vital role in the body. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it is believed to help relieve pains associated with rheumatoid arthritis, which inflames the joints.
Though many people have been relieved of their pain by consuming bromelain-rich fruits or supplements, it still hasn’t been proven if the effect of the enzymes on the health condition is long-lasting.
Additionally, some people who suffer from osteoarthritis have also confessed to having relieved their pain when they take bromelain supplements.
Therefore, it has been believed that the enzymes help in reducing the pain associated with arthritis though there is no adequate medical proof to back it up.
- Relieves Cold Symptoms
The vitamins in the pineapple, such as vitamin C, works hand in hand with the enzyme bromelain as it helps alleviate symptoms of cold and flu such as catarrh and cough.
These nutrients help build up the sinus cavities and prevent the accumulation of mucus such as phlegm from the body.
It also helps increase the immune levels in the body, which helps fight against bacteria and virus infections like flu.
- Improves Fertility
Pineapple is suitable for men, women, and children alike. Its contents of antioxidant properties have been proven to contribute to increasing fertility in both men and women.
Some of the minerals and vitamins it contains, such as zinc, copper, vitamin C, folate, beta-carotene, help infertility as it increases the chances of conceiving in women and improves men’s sexual health.
As much as pineapple is good for improving fertility, it is not encouraged to be taken in excess during pregnancy as it can lead to miscarriage due to its known effect on improving/stimulating the menstrual flow.
- Good for Weight Loss
Like most other fruits, Pineapple helps in weight management, bromelain, one of the most critical nutrients in pineapple, and other vitamins and minerals that contribute to losing weight.
These nutrients help prevent inflammation and digest food efficiently. The calories in the body burn more than those in the fruit when digesting it, leading to fewer calories in the body after each consumption.
This helps flatten the stomach, burn and digest fat, leading to weight loss, which will only be significant if you eat healthily.
- Cures Chapped Lips
Pineapple contains natural enzymes that help moisturize the lips, thereby preventing/reducing the symptoms of chapped lips.
Just like coconut oil helps keep the skin, lips, etc., hydrated, pineapple also does the same function when consumed.
Nutritional Values of Pineapple per 100g serving
| Nutrients | Values |
| Water | 86 g |
| Energy | 50 Kcal |
| Protein | 0.54 g |
| Carbohydrate | 13.12g |
| Dietary Fibre | 1.4g |
| Sugars | 9.85g |
| Total lipids | 0.12g |
| Calcium | 13 mg |
| Iron | 0.29 mg |
| Phosphorus | 8 mg |
| Magnesium | 12 mg |
| Sodium 1 mg | |
| Potassium | 109 mg |
| Zinc 0.12 mg | |
| Vitamin C | 47.8 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.08 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.03 mg |
| Niacin | 0.5 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.11 mg |
| Folate | 18 µg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0 µg |
| Vitamin A | 3 µg |
| Vitamin E | 0.02 mg |
| Vitamin K | 0.7 µg |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.01 g |
| Total monounsaturated | 0.01 g |
| Total polyunsaturated | 0.04 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 0 mg |
| Caffeine | 0 mg |
Some of the nutritional benefits of this fruit are potassium, carbohydrate, dietary fiber, sugar, protein, vitamin C, sodium, vitamin A, magnesium, calcium, and iron which can be entirely gotten by eating fresh, natural pineapple.
What is Pineapple?
Pineapple is more than just a juicy fruit grown mainly in tropical areas; it is bombarded with lots of nutrients vital to the body.
They are perennial crops characterized by their thick segmented skin, waxy leaves, and edible yellow flesh.
Culinary Uses of Pineapple
Pineapple is used globally in various cuisines and also as roadside snacks. It can be used as a fruits salad for dessert, cooking, and baking many savory dishes and toppings.
It is commonly used to make fruit juice or drinks and serves as one of the main fruits in most beverage drinks. It is most times used in ice cream, jam, and more which helps lots of purposes.
Medicinal Uses of Pineapple
Pineapple is also used for various medical purposes due to its rich content with the popular enzyme Bromelain.
It is locally used in medicine to reduce inflammation or swell on the body due to injury, surgery, or the sinus.
What time is best to eat Pineapple?
Pineapples, just like other fruits, are recommended to be eaten in the morning often, as it helps in detoxifying the system and gets easily digested than when taken after meals.
What are the side effects of eating pineapple?
You might likely have an allergy to pineapple. Consuming too much pineapple can cause sores, irritations, and inflammations in the mouth, including the lips, tongue, and cheeks. If you experience rashes or breathing difficulties after eating pineapple, you should seek medical attention immediately.
Due to the high vitamin C content of pineapple, eating much of pineapple is likely to cause nausea, diarrhea and vomiting, abdominal pain, or heartburn. Also, the intake of unripe pineapple can cause the reaction due to some toxic elements present.
Bromelain enzyme in pineapple fruit can also react with other medications such as antibiotics. Thereby the intake of pineapple when on medication is advised to be reduced or even paused.
Also, people who experience gastroesophageal reflux shouldn’t take pineapple much as it can trigger heartburn due to too much acid in the stomach.
Conclusion
Generally, pineapple is reasonably necessary to be incorporated into diets because it aids in digestion and reduces constipation.
Fresh Pineapple fruit is the only edible fruit of its kind with the positive health contributions listed above. It contains lots of vitamins that are good for the skin and the overall wellbeing and is well enjoyed when ripe than when consumed unripe.