Pineapple is a sweet, nutritious fruit. Pineapple is a very popular fruit worldwide because of its sweet, delicious taste and juicy texture. In addition to tasting good, pineapples offer numerous nutritional benefits. Pineapple is high in manganese, a mineral that is critical to development of strong bones and connective tissue.
Possible health benefits of consuming pineapples
Consuming fruits and vegetables of all kinds has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like pineapples decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality, diabetes, heart disease and promotes a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, overall lower weight.
Age-related macular degeneration: A higher intake of all fruits (3 or more servings per day) has also been shown to decrease risk of and progression of age-related macular degeneration.
Asthma prevention: The risks for developing asthma are lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients. One of these nutrients is beta-carotene, found in plant foods like pineapple, mangoes, papaya, apricots, broccoli, cantaloupe, pumpkin and carrots.
Blood pressure: Increasing potassium intake by consuming high potassium fruits and vegetables can help with lowering blood pressure.
Cancer: The abundance of antioxidants in pineapples helps fight against free radicals. This halts the process of cell damage, preventing several types of cancers.
Thwarts Off Cold: Pineapples are abundant in vitamin C and bromelain, which fight against microbial infections. Eating pineapples with the prescribed medicines can help cure cold and cough effectively.
Strong Bones: Rich amount of manganese present in pineapples helps in strengthening bones and connective tissues.
Diabetes: Studies have shown that type 1 diabetics who consume high-fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels and type 2 diabetics may have improved blood sugar, lipids and insulin levels. One medium pineapple provides about 13 grams of fiber.
Digestion: Pineapples, because of their fiber and water content, help to prevent constipation and promote regularity and a healthy digestive tract.
Macular Degeneration: Macular degeneration is a condition in which adults lose their vision, making difficult for them to read and recognize things properly. Beta-carotene present in pineapples empowers vision and should be consumed regularly for eye health.
Fertility: Antioxidant-rich diets have been shown to improve fertility. Because free radicals also can damage the reproductive system, foods with high antioxidant activity like pineapples that battle free radicals are recommended for those trying to conceive. The antioxidants in pineapple such as vitamins C, beta-carotene and the vitamins and minerals and copper, zinc and folate have properties that affect both male and female fertility.
Healing and Inflammation: Some studies have shown that bromelain, the enzyme found in pineapples, can reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain associated with injury and surgical intervention. Bromelain is currently being used to treat and reduce inflammation from tendinitis, sprains, strains, and other minor muscle injuries as well as swelling related to ear, nose and throat surgeries or trauma.9
Heart health: The fiber, potassium and vitamin C content in pineapple all support heart health.
Skin: The antioxidant vitamin C, when eaten in its natural form (as in a pineapple) or applied topically, can help to fight skin damage caused by the sun and pollution, reduce wrinkles and improve overall skin texture. Vitamin C also plays a vital role in the formation of collagen, the support system of your skin.
Prevents Hypertension: If you’re suffering from high blood pressure and trying to prevent it, you might want to consider the pineapple diet for hypertension. Higher amounts of potassium and lower amounts of sodium in pineapples help maintain normal blood pressure levels.
Treats Intestinal Worms: Pineapple contains the digestive enzyme bromelain. A diet rich in pineapple helps clear certain intestinal parasites such as tapeworms.
Relieves Nausea: A key benefit from pineapple juice intake is that it averts nausea or morning sickness. This is quite useful for pregnant women who usually experience nausea. It also helps people who are looking to go on airplane trips that usually cause motion sickness.