What is pineapple?
Known for its classic form – a spherical of sweet and juicy meat encircled by a thick, segmented skin, with a tuft of spiky green leaves on top – the pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a tropical fruit native to the Americas. The fruit is essentially a collection of blooms, each with its own eye, which is fused together around a central core, and it takes an incredible three years for the fruit to develop.
Pineapple has a number of nutritional advantages
An 80g serving of fresh pineapple includes the following nutrients:
- 33Kcal / 141 KJ
- 0.3g Protein
- 0.2g Fat
- 8.1g Carbohydrate
- 1.3g Fibre
- 128 mg Potassium
- 10mg Vitamin C
Whether you select fresh or canned pineapple, an 80g portion counts toward your five-a-day requirement; however, if you prefer canned pineapple, look for a type that has no added sugar. A single glass (150ml) of unsweetened pineapple juice also qualifies, but keep in mind that this is heavy in sugar and may be detrimental to your teeth' overall health.
Top 5 health benefits of pineapple
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- Pineapple has a number of nutritional advantages
- 1. May aid digestion
- 2. It has the potential to speed up the healing process after an accident
- 3. It has the potential to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis
- 4. It is possible that immunity will be supported
- 5. It has the potential to benefit the cardiovascular system
- Is pineapple safe for consumption by everyone?
1. May aid digestion
Fruits such as pineapple, which are high in fibre, may be beneficial in maintaining a healthy digestive tract. Bromelain, one of the enzymes found in pineapple, is capable of degrading large proteins into their smaller building blocks of amino acids and peptides, and it is active in both an acidic and an alkaline environment, such as the stomach and the small intestine. This makes it an incredibly beneficial digestive aid for those who have trouble digesting their food correctly, particularly for people who suffer from pancreatic insufficiency, a disease in which the pancreas fails to create enough digestive enzymes to adequately digest their food.
More data is required before the anti-inflammatory impact of bromelain can be demonstrated in people, despite the fact that research into the anti-inflammatory effect of bromelain on reducing the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disorders, such as ulcerative colitis, seems promising.
2. It has the potential to speed up the healing process after an accident
Bromelain seems to help decrease inflammation, edoema, and bruising after an accident or surgery, according to a number of studies. In fact, it seems to be beneficial when taken prior to dental surgery, when it appears to assist in decreasing pain and offer the same amount of comfort as anti-inflammatory medications.
A study done in a test tube has also proved the efficacy of bromelain in the treatment of wounds in humans.
3. It has the potential to alleviate the symptoms of arthritis
Since the 1960s, several studies have proven that bromelain may be effective in the alleviation of inflammation-induced pain in people with arthritis. It seems to exert its analgesic effects by exerting a direct impact on the chemical mediators that are involved in our feeling of discomfort.
4. It is possible that immunity will be supported
A nine-week trial of schoolchildren found that those who consumed either a moderate quantity (140g) or a substantial amount (280g) of canned pineapple every day had a much-decreased chance of contracting a viral or bacterial illness than those who consumed none at all. In addition, individuals who consumed the highest quantity had four times the number of infection-fighting white immune cells as those who consumed the lowest amount.
Because of bromelain's anti-inflammatory qualities, it seems to be beneficial in modulating the immune system, which may be particularly true for persons suffering from auto-immune diseases.
5. It has the potential to benefit the cardiovascular system
Once again, it is bromelain that seems to be beneficial to the heart and circulatory system, as shown by its ability to prevent or reduce the severity of angina episodes and transient ischemic attacks (TIA). It is also believed that bromelain may help to break down cholesterol plaques, which are responsible for the hardening of the arteries and the development of a disease known as atherosclerosis.
According to animal studies, bromelain may also have an effect on blood clotting by reducing the synthesis of a protein known as fibrin, which is involved in the process of blood coagulation.
Is pineapple safe for consumption by everyone?
Unless you have a pineapple allergy, pineapple is usually considered to be safe for the majority of individuals when consumed as part of a healthy, well-balanced eating plan. An excessive amount of food or liquid consumption, on the other hand, may produce intestinal distress. Unripe fruit should be avoided since it might induce diarrhoea and throat discomfort.
