It is only normal that not everyone knows the health benefits of pineapple, just as majority of us don’t know the goodness that abounds in constantly eating fruits and vegetables. The foods we eat are not meant to only provide good taste and fill our stomach, or help us gain strength to carry out our daily activities. They also help to improve our health in many ways, some of which we take for granted.
Quick Facts About Pineapple
Pineapples are the sweet tropical plants that originated from South America and is currently the third most important tropical fruit in the world. With their peculiar physical appearance, characterized by short stems, spiky leaves, and big fruit that bears a crown, they are not hard to recognize. They are commonly used as pizza toppings, consumed raw – either whole, as part of salad, or just the juice. Some South American countries use it to make local dishes such as afritada and Hawaiian haystack. One popular cocktail made from pineapple is Pina colada.
In this article, you will know the health benefits of pineapples as you’ve gotten and will still get them from the different pineapple dishes and drinks you have and will have. also, you will know the nutrients contained in pineapple, and how they affect your health, giving you reasons to eat more of it.
Pineapple – An Overview
Pineapples are fruits that have the sweet and tangy taste. They usually have a coarse rind that has weak spikes on it. The spike roots extend from the rind to the edible part of the fruit, creating a kind of difficulty when eating it. The fruit is abundant in water and many nutrients; however, it can make the teeth sensitive if eaten in large quantities.
They originate from South America and spread to other parts of the world where they are now an important part of the fruit collection and culinary dishes in many cultures. It is common to find drinks made out pineapple while on vacation in places like Hawaii. Most popular among them is the Pina Colada. It is now commonly grown on fields in the tropics, and extensively in greenhouses where the climate might pose a challenge.
While the most important part of the plant is the fruit due to its culinary uses, and nutritional importance, the leaves, also called stalks – which are rigid and spiky – are also useful in the production of fiber in the textile industry. The red Spanish Cultivar was used to produce high-end fabrics, exclusively for the aristocratic in the 18th and 19th century.
Nutrition Info on Pineapple
One of the most important features of pineapple, specifically its fruit, is the nutritional content it possesses. The nutrients it has greatly influence the health benefits of pineapple as many people enjoy today. Here is a detailed nutrient profile on a pineapple fruit.
| Nutrient | Composition |
| Energy | 50 kcal (209 kJ) |
| Carbohydrates | 13.12 g |
| Sugars | 9.85 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.4 g |
| Fat | 0.12 g |
| Protein | 0.54 g |
| Vitamins | |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.079 mg |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.032 mg |
| Vitamin B3 | 0.5 mg |
| Vitamin B5 | 0.213 mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.112 mg |
| Vitamin B9 | 18 ug |
| Choline | 5.5 mg |
| Vitamin C | 47.8 mg |
| Minerals | |
| Zinc | 0.12 mg |
| Phosphorus | 8 mg |
| Magnesium | 12 mg |
| Calcium | 13 mg |
| Potassium | 109 mg |
| Iron | 0.29 mg |
| Manganese | 0.927 mg |
| Sodium | 1 mg |
| Water | 86.00 g |
The table above is for a pineapple fruit that weighs 100g. majority of its weight is made of water and the other nutrients make up the rest. It is very rich in vitamin C and potassium, nutrients that are essential to keep the cells of the body active, improve many bodily functions, and maintain sexual health.
It also contains many phytochemicals such as arbutin, vanillin, polyphenols, chlorogenic acid, and many more. It also contains an enzyme called Bromelain – currently undergoing extensive scientific research for its suitability for human consumption.
Health Benefits of Pineapple
Improves digestion of food
Pineapple is rich in fiber, therefore one of its many health benefits include its usefulness in aiding digestion. If you have ever had pineapple on an empty stomach, you will understand this point better than anyone else.
The presence of bromelain, helps to breakdown proteins easily, this helps to improve gut health by reducing the amount of time food material has to spend in the stomach and makes absorption of nutrients, and supply of energy happen faster.
Also, it helps to avoid constipation.
May be useful in treating arthritis
Arthritis occurs as a result of inflammation of the tissues of the joint. One of the health benefits of pineapple is that its helps to control that inflammation, making it easier to manage arthritis, and reducing the pain.
It also significantly improves the quality of life of the affected individual that regularly consumes it. this property is majorly due to the presence of minerals such as magnesium and potassium, and the enzyme, bromelain.
Boosts the Immune system
Pineapples are a rich source of vitamin C. This makes one of the health benefits of pineapple be the boosting of the immune system. The amount of vitamin c in 100g of pineapple is 58% more than the recommended daily dosage. Vitamin C in combination with other vitamins and minerals, present in the fruit fortifies the immune system by riding the cells in the body of toxins that cause oxidative stress.
The lesser the amount of oxidative waste in the body, the stronger the body’s defence system, and the carrier of these toxins, is vitamin c.
May be anti-carcinogenic
There is the possibility that pineapple may be able to prevent cancer in the cells of the body. With their anti-inflammatory properties, they may be able to control the growth and division of cells when they remove the toxins in them.
Researches are still going on this possibility.
Improves skin health and appearance
One of the health benefits of pineapple is found in its abundance of vitamin c. this nutrient is important in keeping the skin healthy by removing dead skin cells and aiding the growth of new skin cells.
Pineapple also contains arbutin, a phytochemical that helps to treat hyperpigmentation and remove dark spots, as well as stretch marks.
Good for bone and teeth health
The abundance of calcium and magnesium in pineapple makes it suitable for the health of bone and dental health. Pineapple conveniently carries the daily recommended dosage of these two minerals and if you consume 100g of pineapple daily, you do not need any other source of calcium and magnesium.
Healthy teeth and bones help to keep arthritis and dental cavities at bay.
Lowers heart blood pressure
Another health benefit of pineapple is its ability to improve the health of the heart. Considering the importance of the heart as an organ in the body, its health and functionality is not one to be taken lightly.
Pineapple is rich in minerals such as potassium and magnesium, which aid in the coordination of the pumping action of the heart. It is also low in sodium, which when in high level, may be detrimental to the health of the heart.
The combination of these minerals is effective in reducing the blood pressure in the heart when it is too high.
Treats nausea
Pineapple sends a tangy sensation throughout your taste bud when you eat it to an extent. The level of sugar it contains and this peculiar taste, makes it keep nausea at bay. It has been found to be effective for some pregnant women when they experience morning sickness. However, its safety during pregnancy is a concern especially due to the makeup of bromelain.
Conclusion
Pineapple is an abundant fruit that can be found all over the world. It is extensively used as part of any cuisine in the South American countries and are more commonly grown in the tropical areas. However, they can be a challenge to cut because of their rind.
Pineapples are abundant in many vitamins and minerals, making them an important fruit in the world. They have many health benefits and should be eaten more to improve the health status of many in the world.