What is a pineapple? Are you aware of the amazing health benefits of pineapple? Read through this post to understand how you can immensely benefit from this nature's gift to humanity. Pineapple is a tropical plant that consists of edible multiple fruits with coalesced berries. It belongs to the plant family of Bromeliaceae and is mostly cultivated from a crown by cutting of the fruit. Pineapples are eaten fresh, juiced, preserved or cooked especially for various cuisines. It is very healthy & refreshing, especially when combined with fruit salads or used for making smoothies, fresh juices etc. Pineapple is a rich source of magnesium which is a vital cofactor in the enzymes necessary for energy production and anti-oxidation processes. Other key elements derived from pineapple are; Vitamin B1, B6, C, folate, pantothenic acid and fibre.To benefit from pineapple's innumerable healing powers, Debnath et al., (2012) recommend drinking at least three and a half ounces of freshly prepared pineapple juice at least three times a day. This can be drunk either before or after food consumption. Alternatively, slices of fresh pineapple can be eaten during each meal.
Watch this Short Video on How You Can Benefit From Pineapple!!!
Benefits of Pineapple
Tackles Colitis
Colitis refers to the inflammation of the inner lining of the colon or large intestine. Drinking pineapple juice is effective for tackling colitis. Colitis can trigger bloating, abdominal pain, dehydration and diarrhoea. Studies reveal that consuming fresh or frozen pineapple juice can reduce colon swelling. This is attributed to the high amount of bromelain present in pineapple.
Boosts Male Fertility
The high amount of manganese in pineapple is effective for boosting sperm quality thereby promoting men's fertility rate.
Tackles muscle and joint pain
The rich amount of bromelain in pineapple leads to its powerful anti-inflammatory effect. As a result, pineapple is effective in preventing and tackling muscle and joint pains. It can also tackle arthritic pain, bursitis and tendonitis.
Minimizes the appearance of wrinkles
Pineapple is richly endowed with alpha-hydroxy acids, which are normally added to skin creams. These acids are effective for reducing the appearance of fine wrinkles on the skin.
Prevents Dehydration
Consuming pineapple juice is helpful for hydrating the body.
Strengthens the Bones
Due to the high amount of manganese in pineapple, it can be used for building strong healthy bones and connective tissues.
Anti-inflammatory effects
Bromelain possesses anti-inflammatory properties, thus effective for reducing swelling in inflammatory conditions like gout, arthritis, sore throat and acute sinusitis. It also speeds up tissue repair caused by injuries, surgeries and diabetic ulcers.
Tackles Colds and Coughs
The high amount of vitamin C and bromelain in pineapple makes it effective for tackling colds and coughs. Pineapple can also be used for treating throat infections and bronchitis.
Diuretic Effects
Pineapple is diuretic in nature thus effective for eliminating toxins through the urine. It is highly recommended for patients with ailments of prostate, bladder and kidney.
Soothes the gums
The high vitamin C content in pineapples makes it effective for promoting oral health. Vitamin C lowers the risk of periodontal and gingivitis disease. It also increases the body's tendency to tackle bacteria and toxins that bring on gum disease. It helps to prevent the formation of plaque, thereby keeping the teeth healthy.
Aids Digestion
Pineapple is rich in bromelain, hence aids food digestion and nourishes the small intestine. Bromelain digests food by breaking down protein. Pineapple is also effective in treating constipation and irregular bowel movement. This is due to its high fibre content, which causes bowel movements to be easy and regular. Its bromelain enzyme destroys the harmful bacteria found in the intestine and stomach.
Anticoagulant Effects
Pineapple can serve as an anticoagulant as it helps to prevent the formation of blood clots.
Tackles Nausea
Drinking pineapple juice is effective for tackling nausea and vomiting sensation.
Eradicates Intestinal Worms
Pineapple is powerful for eradicating intestinal worms thereby keeping the intestines clean.
Treatment of Wounds
Ground pineapple can be slightly cooked and used for cleaning infected wounds. This is due to its ability to act as a disinfectant while eliminating dead tissues.
DISCLAIMER This post is for enlightenment purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for professional diagnosis and treatments. Remember to always consult your healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions or for counselling, guidance and treatment about a specific medical condition.
REFERENCES
1. Debnath, P., Dey, P., Chanda, A. and Bhakta, T. (2012), A Survey on Pineapple and its medicinal value, Scholars Academic Journal of Pharmacy (SAJP), 1(1), pp.24-28.
2. Pixabay (2020), Images from Pixabay via https://pixabay.com/images/search/pineapple/
3. Hemalatha, R. and Anbuselvi, S. (2013), Physicochemical constituents of pineapple pulp and waste, Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 5(2):240-242.
4. Hossain, M. F., Akhtar, S. and Anwar, M. (2015), Nutritional Value and Medicinal Benefits of Pineapple, International Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences, 4(1): 84-88.
