Five Amazing Benefits of Eating Pineapple
The benefits of eating pineapple have been documented for hundreds of years. This tropical fruit, whose scientific name is Ananas comosus, originated in South America, it became popular worldwide because of its versatility, flavor, and nutritional quality.
Nowadays it is one of the most demanded foods, not only because it’s an easy addition to your diet, but also because its consumption has been associated with the prevention of certain diseases. Although by itself it’s not curative or medicinal, it does, however, contribute to a better diet.
The five main benefits of eating pineapple
Pineapple, like many other fruits, is great for your health. However, before we get into those, it’s important to clarify that it isn’t a so-called “superfood” or anything like that. While it can contribute to good health, it can’t cure or treat health problems on its own. In other words, it must be accompanied by a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition.
If you’re ever sick or suffering from uncomfortable symptoms, you should see your doctor. Furthermore, for things related to food and nutrition, it’s a good idea to talk to a dietician. So, with that in mind, let’s learn about the benefits of pineapple.
1. Pineapple is an excellent source of nutrients
The main benefits of eating pineapple are attributed to its nutritional quality. In addition, i t contains dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and an enzyme called bromelain, which appears to have important effects on health.
According to information gathered in FoodData Central of the United States Department of Agriculture, this fruit is a source of:
- Carbohydrates
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin A
- Calcium
- Iron
- Thiamin
- Riboflavin
- Vitamin B6
- Folate
- Pantothenic acid
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Potassium
- Beta-carotene and other antioxidants
2. Pineapple improves your digestion
Pineapple is rich in insoluble fibers, which remain virtually unchanged when exposed to water. Furthermore, insoluble fibers act like a sponge in the intestines, facilitating intestinal transit and helping to improve constipation.
By improving the health of your intestines, fiber also optimizes the health of your skin, as it eliminates waste from the body. The benefits don’t stop there, however. According to a study in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, pineapple is also rich in bromelain, a beneficial enzyme.
When bromelain, a protein, reaches your intestines, it facilitates the break down of food and the absorption of nutrients. At the same time, it reduces stomach acid reflux and the symptoms of heartburn.
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3. One of the health benefits of pineapple is it helps your heart
Another benefit of eating pineapple is the reduction of heart attacks and cardiovascular risks. A study published in Biotechnology Research International found that the bromelain in pineapple helps prevent blood clots and prevents platelets from sticking to or building up in the walls of your blood vessels.
Thanks to its supply of potassium, pineapple also helps with circulation and is a good way to reduce the effects of atherosclerosis.
4. It strengthens your immune system
Eating pineapple can strengthen your immune system. An investigation published by the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism highlights that thanks to its contribution of vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), manganese, and phytochemicals, it improves immunity.
A strong immune system is essential for protection against infectious agents such as viruses and bacteria. It also plays a role in preventing chronic noncommunicable diseases.
5. It supports arthritis treatment
Pineapple can’t cure arthritis, but the bromelain in pineapple could be beneficial for patients with this condition.
According to a series of reviews published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, it has anti-inflammatory properties that could be useful for alleviating pain associated with inflammatory arthritis.
Pineapple has benefits, but it isn’t a treatment
Finally, the nutritional quality and enzyme content of pineapple make it a great addition to your diet. However, keep in mind that it’s not a miracle food, nor is it a treatment for illnesses. Eating it simply increases the quality of your diet.
All cited sources were thoroughly reviewed by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, currency, and validity. The bibliography of this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.
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Hassan, A., Othman, Z., & Siriphanich, J. (2011). Pineapple ( Ananas comosus L. Merr.). In Postharvest Biology and Technology of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits (p. 194–218e). Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1533/9780857092618.194
- Taussig, S. J., & Batkin, S. (1988). Bromelain, the enzyme complex of pineapple (Ananas comosus) and its clinical application. An update. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 22(2), 191–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/0378-8741(88)90127-4
- Pavan R, Jain S, Shraddha, Kumar A. Properties and therapeutic application of bromelain: a review. Biotechnol Res Int. 2012;2012:976203. doi:10.1155/2012/976203
- Brien, S., Lewith, G., Walker, A., Hicks, S. M., & Middleton, D. (2004). Bromelain as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis: a Review of Clinical Studies. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 1(3), 251–257. https://doi.org/10.1093/ecam/neh035
- Bartholomew, D. P. (2018). Ananas comosus. In Handbook of Flowering: Volume I (pp. 450–454). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781351072533
- Gangopadhyay, G., & Mukherjee, K. K. (2015). Pineapple [Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.), 1224, 293–305. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-1658-0_23