This unique exotic fruit has been celebrated for centuries not only for its incredible taste but also for its long list of health benefits.
For many years, people have been using pineapple for treating respiratory problems, promote weight loss, reduce inflammation, improve your cardiovascular health, prevent cancer, boost your immune system and circulation, and fight parasites and infections.
You can consume it fresh, cooked or juiced. Even though Hawaii was the major producer of this fruit, today it can be easily found all over the world.
It is an interesting fact that in the past, the pineapple was also known as ananas.
Pineapple has a few leaves on top and a hard shell with thorns and spikes. Many people love pineapple juice. It is particularly popular and used in various cocktails including pinacolada.
Despite being uniquely tasty, pineapple provides many health benefits and can improve your overall health.
It is packed with important nutrients including vitamins B6 and C, beta-carotene, folate, manganese, magnesium copper and calcium. Check out the best 11 health benefits of pineapples.
1. Treat arthritis
Pineapples have potent anti-inflammatory properties and can treat arthritis and reduce joint pain. They are packed with bromelain, an enzyme that is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent.
Many people reported that pineapple juice helped them reduce the symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory conditions.
2. Boosts the immune system
Pineapples have rich content of vitamin C (130% of the RDA per a medium-sized fruit), so they are significantly beneficial for your immune system.
This fruit has the ability to improve the activity of your white blood cells and help your body fight infections. Pineapple can also fight free radicals which can contribute to various chronic diseases such as cancer.
3. Accelerate the healing process
Vitamin C has the ability to boost the production of collagen in the body and improve the health of your skin, muscles, blood vessels, bones, and tissues.
Due to its high content of vitamin C, pineapple can accelerate the healing of injuries and wounds and treat many infections and diseases.
4. Prevents cancer
Pineapples contain antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A, bromelain, beta-carotene, and flavonoids which can treat various types of cancer.
Pineapple is also packed with manganese, which can fight free radicals and treat oral, throat, and breast cancer.
5. Improve your digestion
Pineapples are rich in fiber which can boost your digestion and prevent numerous digestive problems, including constipation and diarrhea.
Fiber keeps your blood pressure in check and control the passage of food through the digestive tract. The soluble and insoluble fiber found in this fruit can bulk up your stool and treat atherosclerosis and IBS. Fiber can also regulate your cholesterol levels.
6. Treat coughs and colds
Vitamin C has the ability to prevent infections and colds. Combined with bromelain, it can provide even better results.
This powerful combination will thin out the mucus in the airways and sinus cavities, which in turn promotes quick elimination and treats coughs and colds.
7. Improve the health of your bones
Pineapples are an excellent source of manganese, a mineral which is essential for your bones. One pineapple has up to 70% of the RDA of manganese. This is more than enough to maintain your bones strong.
8. Improve your oral health
Due to their astringent properties, pineapples can relieve the inflammation in the gums and reinforce them. This will keep your teeth healthy.
This fruit can also prevent bone and teeth lose and strengthen your gums. Pineapple is often recommended as a natural remedy against gum recession and loose teeth.
9. Improve your eye health
Pineapples are rich in beta-carotene that can prevent many vision problems including macular degeneration. You should consume this fruit more often to boost your eyesight and improve your eye health.
10. Regulate your blood pressure
Pineapples are a an excellent source of minerals, including potassium which can regulate your blood pressure and maintain your cardiovascular health.
Potassium is a powerful vasodilator which can relieve the stress in the blood vessels and improve your blood flow. In this way, pineapple prevents blood clots and accumulation of plaque in the arteries.
11. Boost your blood circulation
Despite supplying your body with potassium, pineapple has the ability to boost your copper levels. This mineral is important for various enzymatic reactions in your body.
It plays an important role in the production of red blood cells, which lead to increased oxygenation in the cells and improved organ function.
Many studies claim that pineapple can improve your cognitive abilities and treat neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Even though this fruit provides many health benefits, make sure to consume it in moderation. Bromelain is a meat tenderizer which can make your lips, gums and tongue more sensitive.
The excessive consumption of pineapple can cause nausea, headaches, vomiting, and diarrhea. Pregnant women are not recommended to consume too much pineapple because bromelain can induce menstruation which can lead to miscarriage.
Source: justnaturallyhealthy.com