Pineapples are one of the few edible fruits of the Bromeliad family. This fruit is formed by many individual berries, merging together. Each scale is an individual berry.
Nutritional Benefits of Pineapple
Pineapples are rich in vitamin C and manganese. They are also an excellent source of dietary fiber and bromelain (an enzyme).
Manganese is important for the antioxidant defenses. Pineapple is also rich in thiamine and vitamin B, which is good for energy production.
Pineapple is ideal for diets, because it has no cholesterol, no fat and it is low in sodium. A cup of pineapple pieces contains only 82 calories.
Health Properties of Pineapples
Anti-inflammatory
Pineapple is the only dietary source of bromelain. The core of the fruit has the highest concentration of bromelain, but it is also located in whole fruit. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, bromelain is useful in treating sports injuries and for relieving pain.
Anti-cancer properties
Bromelain has the potential to work as an agent to successfully fight cancer, show the latest studies. Pineapple works together with chemotherapy, in suppressing the cancer cell growth. Also, it contains beta-carotene, which protects from prostate and colon cancer.
Benefits the heart
Vitamin C protects against heart disease. Numerous studies, from Finland to China, show that vitamin C in high amounts decreases the risk of coronary heart disease.
Cataract prevention
Vitamin C also has a crucial role in vision protection. A higher intake of Vitamin C decreases the risk of cataracts, a recent study showed.
Fertility
Pineapple is full with minerals and vitamins, including vitamin C, copper, beta carotene, folic acid and zinc. Many of these vitamins increase the fertility in women and men.
Asthma
During the digestion, beta carotene from the pineapple is converted to vitamin A. Several studies suggest that beta carotene can reduce the chance of exercise – induced asthma.
Osteoarthritis
Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, some studies suggest that this fruit could be useful in treating osteoarthritis.
Recipe for a “miraculous” pineapple juice
Needed Ingredients:
• Filtered water 1L
• 1 whole pineapple with its shell
• Sweetener for taste.
Preparation:
• First wash the pineapple skin well. Peel the pineapple and separate the shell, removing the fruit and the crown.
• Boil the shell with some pineapple pulp. Let it cool off and dilute it with a liter of water. You can add sweetener for better taste.
• Strain the juice and consume it.
