Pineapples are a taste of the tropics, but are also, in their own delicious way, a superfood. The list of benefits to your health is extensive, so make sure you add one to your shopping basket next time you stock up on fresh fruit!
Some pineapples arrive on our shores slightly under ripe, so allow them to ripen naturally on a sunny window sill for a few days until they are their sweet and juicy best. If the leaves haven’t been trimmed, you can also tell a ripe pineapple when the inner leaves pull out easily.
Pineapples can help your skin glow, reduce bloating and digestive issues, prevent colds and flu, reduce inflammation and even strengthen your bones! Did you know the following?
Fresh pineapple provides a host of vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, C, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and manganese. Vitamins A & C are crucial for a healthy immune system and for tissue repair. One cup of pineapple provides 105% of your daily vitamin C needs. Not only will this help stave off colds and flu, it also lowers your risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. The vitamin C content of pineapples helps to support collagen production, helping you to maintain healthy, supple skin. The high antioxidant content in pineapples helps to fight against free radical damage, keeping your cells healthy. What’s not to love?
Potassium will help regulate your blood pressure and prevent cramp, while magnesium assists sleep and muscle relaxation, and the manganese content in pineapple helps your body build strong bones and connective tissues!
Pineapples contain bromelain which helps your body in many ways. It will help regulate the pancreatic secretions that aid digestion.
The bromelain content also helps to loosen mucus and suppress coughs, thus reducing the severity of coughs and colds. Bromelain has been shown to help protect against blood clots, making pineapple a great snack for frequent flyers and those with a clotting risk.
It also contains anti-inflammatory compounds, helping to alleviate the pain of arthritis, along with similar conditions like gout and carpal tunnel syndrome. Studies show that the bromelain enzyme in pineapples can reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain associated with injury and surgical intervention, as well as general inflammation in the body.
It’s not only carrots that are good for your eyes – as a good source of beta carotene, you may lower your risk of developing macular degeneration by up to 36%.
Nutrient-rich, a good source of fibre and low in calories, pineapple is a tasty and useful addition to any diet.
Try it dipped in a little coconut cream, sprinkled with fresh mint or with a dusting of cracked pepper – divine!
notsille - 8 years ago
I’m definitely going to eat more pineapple. My husband who suffers gout was under the impression pineapple was bad for gout but this article says otherwise.