Pineapple = Amazing
Sturdy and prickly on the outside; fragrant, delicious and extremely healthy inside. Pineapple was named as the healthiest fruit in the world and for some seriously important reasons. They contain zero fat and cholesterol, and plentiful of vitamins A, B, C, potassium, manganese, cooper and a dozen of other minerals and nutrients our bodies regularly need, especially Bromelain.
What Is Bromelain?
Pineapple, a South American native and a cherished part of Hawaiian folk medicine, is one of the richest sources in the world of the enzyme bromelain. It is composed of several endopeptidases and compounds like phosphatase, glucosidase, peroxidase, cellulase, escharase and protease inhibitors.
Used widely as a natural remedy to treat everything from indigestion to allergies, pineapple is not only brimming with this enzyme, but also vitamin C, vitamin B1, potassium, manganese and phytonutrients. While pineapple has many benefits, the real secret to its healing powers is definitely Bromelain.
What is Bromelain used to treat?
In the medical world, this fascinating compound has traditionally been used as a potent anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling agent. Research have also shown that it has fibrinolytic, antiedematous and antithrombotic properties, meaning it helps prevent blood clots, edema and swelling. In the past, this enzyme was also used as a meat tenderizer, reason being it helps to soothe and relax tense, inflamed muscles and connective tissue. Additionally, recent studies have found evidence that this enzyme stops lung metastasis in its tracks, which suggests that bromelain can be used to treat a wide variety of diseases, potentially including cancer.
A look at the scientific literature, which includes 1,600-plus articles evaluating the medicinal benefits of Bromelain, shows that it has been used to treat a wide range of health problems, including:
Connective tissue injuries, such as ACL tears
Sprained ankles
Tendonitis
Allergies
Arthritis, joint pain and osteoarthritis
Digestive issues like heartburn or diarrhea
Cardiovascular disorders
Asthma
Autoimmune diseases
Cancer
Inflammatory bowel disease
Sinus infections, such as bronchitis and sinusitis
Surgical trauma and slow healing of skin wounds or burns
Poor absorption of drugs, especially antibiotics, and symptoms due to taking medications
Major Benefits -
Boost your immune system
Pineapples are a powerful source of vitamin C and, in fact, contain half of the daily recommended value for an adult according to Food and Drug Administration. Vitamin C is also a primary water-soluble antioxidant that fights cell damage. Our bodies need sufficient vitamin C to fight cell damage and prevent joint pains and heart diseases.
Strengthen your bones
In addition to containing loads of vitamin C, pineapples also have plenty of manganese which strengthens bones and connecting tissues. One study also suggests that manganese helps preventing osteoporosis in post-menopausal women.
One cup of fresh pineapple juice contains over 70% of the required daily dose of manganese. Kids, adults and elderly people should eat a few chunks of pineapple a day to keep their bodies strong.
A great remedy for sinuses and allergy swellings
Again, it’s all about vitamin C and bromelain which helps to reduce mucus in the throat and nose.If you are exposed to seasonal allergies incorporate pineapples to your diet, along with some extra bromelain supplements to ease up your condition.
Reduce blood clot
Bromelain helps reduce excessive coagulation of the blood. Frequent flyers, flight attendants, movers, and other folks at risk for blood clots, pineapples should be your go-to snack!
Reduce stress
Pineapples contain a good level of several B vitamins which propel your brain to function better and boost your ability to deal with stress efficiently.
Keep your eyes healthy
Due to the high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C, pineapple reduces the risk of macular degeneration – an eye disease, causing vision lose. Elder people are particularly exposed to it. Also, it contains a lot of beta carotene – an essential element needed for healthy vision that should be consumed regularly.
Treat colds and cough
Thanks to the huge level of anti-inflammatory bromelain and vitamin C, pineapple can be a great remedy for treating nasty colds and coughing.
Bromelain is also known to reduce swelling and respiratory problems. Enzymes that pineapples contain reduce inflammation and clean up excessive mucus in the respiratory system.
The next time you feel sick, drink a glass of fresh pineapple juice instead of orange juice. Your recovery will start much sooner.
Help prevent cancer
Pineapples contain loads of antioxidants that help to capture and fight against free radicals. This slows down the cell damage process, thus preventing some types of cancer. In fact, research has found that pineapple enzymes can shrink or kill cancer cells.
Strengthen your gums
Astringent agents abundant in pineapples help to tighten up gum tissues and even prevent oral cancer. In fact, pineapples are often prescribed to fix loosening of teeth or the the retraction of the gums. Keep your teeth healthy and strong by munching some pineapples.
Reduce blood pressure
Among other vitamins and minerals, pineapples contain a great deal of potassium. Potassium is a strong natural vasodilator, meaning it eases the tension of the blood vessels and promotes proper blood circulation to various parts of the body.
As your blood vessels relax, your blood pressure reduces and the flow of blood is less restricted. So, pineapples can help prevent such conditions as stroke and atherosclerosis.
Improve digestion
Have slight digestion problems? You can fix it by adding some pineapple to your regular diet. Bromelain, dietary fiber, and vitamin C – all present in pineapples – promote better digestion.
Improve gut health
Did you know that the bacteria outnumber our cells 10 to 1? And most of them happen to reside in our guts, meaning keeping a healthy gut flora is essential.
Pineapples have proved to sooth inflammatory bowel diseases by reducing gut inflammation and preventing diarrhea. Also, it helps digesting protein-rich foods like steak and complex carbohydrates.
Relieve nausea
A glass of pineapple juice can help you beat morning nausea for pregnant women. Also, anyone suffering from motion sickness can drink a few glasses of pineapple juice before heading to the airport or sneak a bottle for a long bus trip.
A great solution for acne
In this case, pineapples can be used both externally and internally to improve your skin condition, thanks to the great anti-inflammatory qualities of vitamin C, bromelain and special enzymes. Mix it with some turmeric and you have an amazing natural mask to treat your face.
Help treating foot cracks
Been hitting the road for too long? Treat your feet with a pineapple scrub to get some soothing relief for inflammation and swelling, triggered by the cracks and make your feet smooth and radiant.
Strengthen your nails
If your body lacks vitamin A and B, your nails are likely to break and crack a lot. To keep your nails strong and healthy, use pineapple. A source of both, it could be applied topical and munched regularly.
Cure chapped lips
Mix pineapple with coconut oil to sooth chapped skin and hydrate it properly. It’s healthy and tasty at the same time, so no worries if you lick off some mixture before it soaks.
Prevent hair loss and make it thicker
Vitamin C antioxidant properties are a powerful mean against free radicals that damage hair growth. Pineapple extracts, when applied to the scalp, are known to provide vital nutrients to the follicles to make your hair grow better, thicker, and more shiny.
Improve fertility
As free radicals can damage the reproductive system, getting a regular intake of antioxidants pineapples is highly recommended for couples trying to conceive. Vitamin C, beta-carotene, copper and the other vitamins and minerals present can positively affect both male and female fertility.
Help your body produce more energy
Manganese, which is abundant in pineapples, is a key co-factor boosting the creation of enzymes that a responsible for production of energy within your body. If you are a competitive athlete, pineapple should be your go-to snack, a great cool down for a post-workout / training session!
Prevent asthma
Beta-carotene is found in pineapples can lower the risk of asthma. Pineapples also help to detox your organism from harmful substances and reduce inflammation levels caused by stress, pollution and poor nutrition.
Help with your mental health
Pineapple is full of amino acid tryptophan that your body uses to produce serotonin – the “happy hormone”. Getting enough amino acid, along with other nutrients like vitamin B is essential to keep your neurological system up and running smoothly – for enough energy and positive mood.
GI Score
What is its GI score, and does a slice of fresh pineapple count as a portion of healthy food? Is it high cholesterol, and what about its fiber content? Then, of course, there’s pineapples and blood glucose—can it be an excellent addition to a diabetes diet?
Well, as it turns out, pineapples can be a great addition to a healthy diet. Like other fruits, pineapples also contain natural sugars, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Because of the natural sugar content, this sweet fruit can be a good option for those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth while maintaining a healthy diet.
Is Pineapple Good for Diabetics
So, should you add those pineapple chunks to your salad and sip on that pineapple juice without a care in the world? Are there any side effects to consuming the fruit or its fruit juice? If you have diabetes, there’s a good chance you’re a little skeptical of fruit. But if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you may have been warned about certain fruits, and you may shy away from eating pineapples, in particular. So, are pineapples really that bad for blood glucose levels?
However, according to the American Diabetes Association, people with diabetes should eat various fresh foods, which may include some fruit. The answer is both yes and no—it depends on how much pineapple you eat and how it affects your blood sugar levels. Pineapples may not have a low GI, but they’re not always on the high GI scale either—they vary! The whole fruit has a GI, or glycemic index of around 59 to 66, but could be as high as 82. Other factors that can affect the GI score are processing and ripening, so there can be a lot of variability here.
Remember that everyone’s body is different
Your response to the fruit can differ from someone else’s. It’s a good idea to speak with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian to find out whether pineapples are a good addition to your diet, especially if you have health conditions.