Pineapple, Ananas comosus, is an herbaceous biennial or perennial plant in the family Bromeliaceae grown for its edible fruit. The?pineapple?plant has a short stout stem and a rosette of sword-shaped leaves with needle-like tips. … The stem continues to elongate and sets down a tuft of of short leaves called a ‘crown’.
Pineapple is a tropical fruit available in any grocery store and a staple in many homes around the world.
Christopher Columbus brought pineapples back to Europe after an expedition to South America. Pineapples became known as an extravagant and exotic fruit, served only at the most lavish of banquets.
However, pineapples are now common, and people are able to enjoy them in solid, dried, and juice forms.
In Central and South America, pineapple is not only valued for its sweet taste, it has been used for centuries to treat digestion problems and?inflammation.
This article explores the health benefits and?nutrition?of pineapple, as well as providing ways to include it in the diet.
One cup of fresh pineapple chunks?contains approximately:
As a percentage of your daily requirements, the same amount of fresh pineapple chunks?provides:
Pineapple is also a source of important vitamins and minerals, including:
Fresh pineapple is the only known source of an enzyme called bromelain, which might play a role in a range of different health benefits.
Eating fruits and vegetables of all types has long been associated with a reduced risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions.
Many studies have suggested that increasing consumption of plant foods like pineapples decreases the risk of?obesity, overall mortality,?diabetes, and?heart disease.
It also promotes a healthy complexion and hair, increased energy, and an overall lower weight.
The following are possible benefits of eating pineapple.
In one?prospective study from 2004, people who ate 3 or more servings per day of all fruits demonstrated a decreased risk and slowed progression of age-related?macular degeneration.
The risks of developing?asthma?are lower in people who consume a high amount of certain nutrients.
One of these nutrients is beta-carotene. It is found in orange, yellow and dark green plant foods, such as pineapple,?mangoes,?papaya, apricots, broccoli, cantaloupe,?pumpkin, and carrots.
Some smaller studies?have suggested bromelain can also contribute to reducing asthma symptoms.
Increasing potassium intake by consuming high potassium fruits and vegetables can help with lowering?blood pressure. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), fewer than?2 percent?of U.S. adults meet the daily 4,700-mg recommendation.
A high potassium intake is associated with a?20 percent?decreased risk of dying from all causes.
As an excellent source of vitamin C, a strong antioxidant, pineapples can help combat the formation of free radicals. These are linked to the development of?cancer.
Older studies have shown beta-carotene to have an?inverse association?with the development of?colon cancer?in a Japanese population.
A 2004?case-control study?linked beta-carotene to a protective effect on?prostate cancer.
However,?more recent studies?have demonstrated that this may not be the case.
High fiber intake from all fruits and vegetables is associated with a lowered risk of?colorectal cancer.
Individuals with?type 1 diabetes?who consume high-fiber diets?tend to have lower blood glucose levels, and individuals with?type 2 diabetes?may have improved blood sugar, lipids, and?insulin?levels.
One medium pineapple provides about 13 g of fiber.
The Dietary Guidelines for Americans?recommends?21 to 25 g per day for women and between 30 and 38 g per day for men.
Pineapples, because of their fiber and water content, help to prevent?constipation?and promote regularity and a healthy digestive tract.
Pineapples are also rich in bromelain, an enzyme that helps the body digest proteins. Bromelain also reduces inflammatory immune cells, called cytokines, that damage the digestive tract lining.
The inedible stems are the most concentrated source of bromelain, which can be extracted and is readily available in supplement form.
Antioxidant-rich diets have been shown to improve fertility. Because free radicals can damage the reproductive system, foods with high antioxidant activity like pineapples are recommended for those trying to conceive.
The antioxidants in pineapple, such as vitamin C and beta-carotene, and the vitamins and minerals?copper, zinc, and folate have?properties?that affect both male and female fertility.
Some studies have shown that bromelain, primarily in the stem, can?reduce?swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain associated with injury and surgical intervention.
The fiber, potassium, and vitamin C content in pineapple all promote heart health.
In one study, people who consumed 4,069 mg of potassium per day reduced the risk of death from ischemic heart disease?49 percent?when compared with those who consumed less potassium.
Researchers link high potassium intakes to a reduced risk of?stroke, protection against loss of muscle mass, preservation of bone mineral density, and reduction in the formation of?kidney stones.
The antioxidant vitamin C, when eaten in its natural form or applied topically, can help to fight skin damage caused by the sun and pollution, reduce wrinkles, and improve overall skin texture.
Vitamin C also plays a?vital role?in the formation of?collagen, the support system of the skin.
Select a pineapple with a firm, plump body, without bruising, or soft spots and with green leaves at the crown.
A green outer shell does not mean the pineapple is not ripe and, contrary to popular belief, neither does the ease in which the leaves pull from the crown.
Pick pineapples at their peak ripeness. Unlike other fruits, they will not continue to ripen once picked.
Whole pineapples should be stored at room temperature, while cut pineapples should be stored in the refrigerator.
When eating canned or packaged pineapple, make sure to pick up the varieties canned in pineapple juice, not heavy syrup.
Here are a few preparation tips for including more pineapple in the diet:
There is an excellent selection of pineapple products available for?purchase online, with thousands of customer reviews.
Beta-blockers, a type of medication most commonly prescribed for heart disease, can cause potassium levels to increase in the blood. High potassium foods should be consumed in moderation when taking beta-blockers.
Consuming too much potassium can be harmful to people whose kidneys are not fully functional. If your kidneys are unable to remove excess potassium from the blood, it could be fatal.
Those with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) may experience an increase in symptoms, such as?heartburn?and regurgitation, when consuming highly acidic foods. However, individual reactions vary.
Focus on keeping the overall diet varied and adding a range of nutrients to the overall diet, rather than specific foods.
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