Benefits Of Pineapple: 9 Ways to Use Pineapple As a Medicine

Benefits Of Pineapple: 9 Ways to Use Pineapple As a Medicine: Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is an incredibly delicious and healthy tropical fruit.

It is native to South America, where early European explorers named it after its resemblance to a pine cone (1).

This popular fruit is packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and other useful compounds, such as enzymes that can fight inflammation and disease.

Pineapple and its compounds have been associated with many health benefits, including aiding digestion, boosting immunity, and speeding post-surgical recovery.

Here are 9 impressive health benefits of pineapple and Ways to Use Pineapple As a Medicine

1. Loaded with nutrients

Pineapples are low in calories but have an incredibly impressive nutritional profile.

One cup (5.8 ounces or 165 grams) of pineapple chunks contains the following (2):

Calories: 82.5
Fat: 1.7 grams
Protein: 1 gram
Carbohydrates: 21.6 grams
Fiber: 2.3 grams
Vitamin C: 131% of RDI
Manganese: 76% of RDI
Vitamin B6: 9% of RDI
Copper: 9% of RDI
Thiamine: 9% of RDI
Folate: 7% of RDI
Potassium: 5% of RDI
Magnesium: 5% of RDI
Niacin: 4% of RDI
Pantothenic acid: 4% of RDI
Riboflavin: 3% of RDI
Iron: 3% of RDI
Pineapples also contain traces of vitamins A and K, phosphorus, zinc, and calcium.

They are particularly rich in vitamin C and manganese, providing 131% and 76% of daily recommendations, respectively.

Vitamin C is essential for growth and development, a healthy immune system, and the absorption of iron from the diet. Meanwhile, manganese is a natural mineral that promotes growth, maintains a healthy metabolism, and has antioxidant properties.

SUMMARY: PINEAPPLES ARE FULL OF VITAMINS AND MINERALS. THEY ARE PARTICULARLY RICH IN VITAMIN C AND MANGANESE.

2. Contains antioxidants that fight against diseases

Pineapples are not only rich in nutrients, but they are also rich in healthy antioxidants.

Antioxidants are molecules that help your body fight oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress is a condition in which there are too many free radicals in the body. These free radicals interact with the body’s cells and cause damage related to chronic inflammation, a weakened immune system, and many harmful diseases.

Pineapples are particularly rich in antioxidants called flavonoids and phenolic acids.

In addition, many of the antioxidants in pineapple are bound. This allows the antioxidants to survive in harsher conditions and produce longer-lasting effects.

IN SUMMARY: PINEAPPLES ARE A GOOD SOURCE OF ANTIOXIDANTS, WHICH MAY REDUCE THE RISK OF CHRONIC DISEASES SUCH AS HEART DISEASE, DIABETES, AND SOME CANCERS. MANY ANTIOXIDANTS IN PINEAPPLE ARE BOUND, SO THEY MAY HAVE MORE LASTING EFFECTS.

3. Its enzymes can aid digestion

Pineapples contain a group of digestive enzymes called bromelain.

They function as proteases, which break down protein molecules into their building blocks, such as amino acids and small peptides.

Once protein molecules are broken down, they are more easily absorbed in the small intestine. This may be particularly useful for people with pancreatic insufficiency, a disease in which the pancreas cannot produce enough digestive enzymes.

For example, one study showed that participants with pancreatic insufficiency had better digestion after taking a digestive enzyme supplement containing bromelain, compared to the same digestive enzyme supplement without bromelain.

Bromelain is also widely used as a meat tenderizer because of its ability to break down hard meat proteins.

Also Read: Cancer Dies When You Eat These 26 foods

Summary: PINEAPPLES CONTAIN BROMELAIN, A GROUP OF DIGESTIVE ENZYMES THAT BREAK DOWN PROTEINS. THIS CAN AID DIGESTION, ESPECIALLY IN PATIENTS WITH PANCREATIC INSUFFICIENCY.

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