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Pineapple: Health Benefits, Side Effects, Nutrition And Usage
Pineapple is a sweet acidic but a delicious fruit which you had tried many times in the various forms like juice, smoothies, roasted with many flavors etc. But do you know it is one of the healthiest fruit as it helps to treat various diseases? It is known for its sweet and tangy flavor, and many people enjoy eating it fresh. However, pineapples offer a number of health benefits as well, and they can be a healthy addition to your diet. In this blog post, we will discuss the health benefits of pineapple, as well as its side effects, nutrition, and usage. We hope that you find this information useful and informative!
1. What is pineapple?
Pineapples are a tropical plant that grow in the fields of Asia, Central America, South America, and Hawaii. Pineapple is known for its sweet pineapple flavor and intense yellow color. This bright fruit has an interesting history behind it. Pineapple plants grow from the center of the fruit after it is harvested and planted in moist soil. The pineapple plant can produce about 50 pineapple fruits over a period of around 9 months. Once the pineapple is grown, it takes several more days for the fruit to ripen fully before it can be eaten.
a) History of pineapple:
The pineapple got its name from European explorers traveling to the Caribbean Islands who named it for how it looked similar to pine cones. The pineapple was introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus in 1493 when he discovered the pineapple on one of his voyages to the New World. However, many people thought that pineapples were poisonous at first because they resemble pine cones so closely. It wasn’t until English explorer Sir Walter Raleigh brought back some samples that pineapple became popular in the UK.
Pineapple is now one of the most common fruits found at grocery stores and fruit stands because pineapple plants are so numerous around the world. The pineapple plant can grow up to 20 feet high and pineapple plants only bear about two fruits a year, but each pineapple weighs about 10 pounds on average.
b) What does pineapple taste like?
When ripe, pineapples have an intense yellow pineapple flavor. They are a versatile pineapple fruit because pineapple can be eaten on its own, added to recipes as a flavoring agent, or used as an ingredient in pineapple products like pineapple juice or pineapple jelly. It is also common for pineapple to be added to other dishes such as pizza and salad.
c) What do pineapples do?
Many processed pineapple products available for the world to buy and use, including pineapple juice and pineapple jam. Making pineapple dishes at home has also become an increasingly popular pastime around the globe. Pineapple itself isn’t particularly interesting-especially when compared with its tropical relatives like bananas, chirimoyas, papayas, guavas, mangoes, avocados, dates, figs and coconut – and primarily contains sugars (fructose, sucrose and glucose) and pineapple acid, which is responsible for pineapple’s tangy flavor. Pineapple also contains pineapple fiber, pineapple vitamin C and manganese.
Pineapples can be eaten fresh or cooked in a variety of dishes. They are a delicious addition to fruit salads, cocktails, fruits de mer (seafood), breakfast foods like smoothies and pancakes, desserts such as cakes, tarts, puddings and pies, drinks, soufflés, sorbets, ice cream and snow cones. In Eastern Asia pineapple is used as both a savory ingredient in dishes made with soy sauce or fish sauce as well as sweetened dishes.
2. Nutrition in pineapple:
It contains the vast amount of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants which makes it a good pick for your health.
- 100 gm of fruit provides 50 calories.
- It contains almost zero amount of fat and cholesterol and very less amount of protein.
- It is a rich source of vitamin. Vitamin B complex, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K. 100 gm of fruit provides 80% of daily requirement of vitamin C.
- Fruit also contains a good amount of minerals. It has calcium, copper, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium and zinc. 100 gm of fruit provides 40 % of daily requirement of manganese.
- It has electrolyte sodium and potassium. Amount of potassium is about 100 times more than sodium.
- The fruit has numerous active enzymes; bromelain is one of them. Researches support that bromelain improves immunity and reduces chances of cancer.
- It has phytonutrients like beta-carotene. It also provides a good amount of dietary soluble fiber.
Now you know about the nutrition of pineapple and the interesting fact is that its nutritious quality helps people to cope with various diseases.
3. Health benefits of pineapple:
What is pineapple good for? Pineapple is a delicious tropical fruit that is enjoyed by people all over the world. But aside from being a tasty snack, pineapple is also good for you. Read on to learn more about the many health benefits of this nutritious fruit. Here are some of the diseases for which the fruit is known as miracle medicine:
1) Pineapple for Asthma:
It is a rich source of beta-carotene which is a scientifically proven drug to reduce the risk of asthma.
2) Pineapple for blood pressure:
Pineapple provides high amount of potassium compared to sodium. Increased level of potassium compared to sodium lowers blood pressure. It also reduces chances of heart attack.
3) Pineapple and cancer:
New researches have proved pineapple is shockingly effective in treating and preventing cancer. Beta-carotene of the fruit plays a protective role in prostate cancer. Enzyme bromelain reduces the size of tumors in the prostate, breast and colon-rectal region. Fiber found in it also reduces the chance of colorectal cancer. Vitamin A and anti-oxidants also play important role in preventing cancer.
4) Pineapple and immunity:
Pineapple provides 80% of daily requirement of vitamin C. vitamin C improves immunity by stimulating granulocyte. Anti-oxidants found in the fruit remove free radical from the body.
5) Pineapple for infertility:
Vitamin E and A with combination with minerals like zinc make it a delicious option to treat infertility.
6) Pineapple for skin:
If you love your skin then you must include it in your diet because vitamin C found in the fruit is essential for collagen binding. Collagen is responsible for skin tightening. Zink and other minerals with anti-oxidants remove wrinkles and dark pigmentation.
7) Pineapple for heart disease:
High potassium of the fruit makes it a good snack choice for heart patients as it reduces the chance of heart disease.
8) Pineapple for arthritis:
Bromelain, found in pineapple, reduces inflammatory reaction by breaking down protein complex. It is effective in treating inflammatory arthritis.
9) Pineapple for digestion:
Acidic content of the fruit is beneficial to treat anorexia. Fiber in it improves digestion. It is beneficial for diarrhea and constipation both. It maintains intestinal spasmodic movement.
10) Pineapple for liver:
It is a good option for the liver health as the acidic content of fruit stimulates liver and gallbladder. It also neutralizes bile and prevents ulcer formation in duodenum and stomach.
11) Pineapple for periods:
It is used for treating dysmenorrhea and amenorrhea. Pineapple stimulates and maintains spasmodic movement of the uterus.
12) Pineapple for worm infection:
Juice of unripe fruit is laxative and shows anti-worm property. It kills intestinal pathogen and removes them through stool.
13) Pineapple for kidney stone:
Pineapple breaks down kidney stone and promotes its flushing through its diuretic nature.
14) Pineapple for fever:
Pineapple does not directly cause the lowering body temperature but its anti-oxidants, minerals and huge amount of water hydrates body.
15) Pineapple for general weakness:
Rich amount of anti-oxidants; minerals and vitamins of the fruit improves overall health.
16) Pineapple for pregnancy:
A small amount of pineapple is a good choice of fruit for pregnancy. Sugar, vitamins, and minerals in the fruit make it a good option for pregnant lady’s nutrition.
4. Side effects of pineapple:
Although the fruit helps in various health-related issues there are some situations in which you should consume it carefully. Here are these:
1) Pineapple for diabetes:
Pineapple is not a fruit for the diabetic. High sugar value causes an increased blood sugar level. Although glycemic index of pineapple is medium which means it does not produce a sudden rise in blood sugar.
2) Pineapple for heart disease:
It reduces chances of the heart attack because of its high potassium value. Some medicines like beta blocker which is commonly prescribed for blood pressure also increases blood potassium level. Hence taking pineapple along with beta-blocker can cause life-threatening hyperkalemia (increased potassium in the blood).
3) Pineapple for gastro esophagus reflex:
Due to acidic nature of the fruit, it may increase gastro esophagus reflex.
4) Pineapple for Gastric ulcer:
Due to acidic content of pineapple, it worsens the pain and discomfort of gastric ulcer patient.
5) Pineapple for kidney:
Potassium causes excess amount of blood flow to renal artery and produces overwork for the kidney. Hence for patient with renal failure, use of pineapple should be restricted.
6) Pineapple for Pregnancy:
Though in small quantity it’s beneficial for pregnant women, however, consuming it in large amount can increase photolytic enzyme bromelain, which can cause early miscarriage and abortion. Juice of unripe fruit is often a causes for abortion.
5. Uses of pineapple:
- Unlike other fruit, pineapple does not ripe after picked up from plant. So it should be picked only after it ripens.
- It should not be cooked as heat breaks down many vitamins.
- Juice of the fruit is a healthy delight. but you should always prefer fresh juice.
- Uncut fruit should be stored at room temperature.
- Cut fruit should always be stored in the refrigerator.
- Pineapple juice is acidic in nature so it should always be kept in a plastic or glass jar.
a. For dogs:
High amount of sugar is not advisable for dogs, thus this fruit is not a good choice for dogs. It is not poisonous to dog thus sharing a small quantity is not harmful.
b. For cats:
It is not poisonous to cat but high fiber and excessive sugar of the fruit may be harmful to cat. So it should be given in small quantity as a treat only.
6. Conclusion:
With all the pineapple health benefits and side effects, as well as nutritional information, it’s clear that this fruit has a lot to offer. Whether you’re looking for more vitamins in your diet or are interested in learning about how pineapples can help with weight loss goals, there is something for everyone. When shopping at the grocery store next time, make sure not to miss out on these delicious fruits.
Read more: 13 Reasons to Must Have Papaya In Your Diet
Disclaimer:
Above article is only for knowledge purpose. Please contact your healthcare provider before using any of above medicine or method. For any query or personal consultation according to your health condition please contact your doctor.
