You probably love the sweet taste of Pineapple but are you also aware of the benefits of pineapple? Nutritionists recommend that we eat at least three servings of fruit each day in order to beat age-related wear and tear of the body. One of the fruits that we can include in our diet to meet this requirement is pineapple.

Despite the sweetness, how many calories in pineapple do you think there are? In what forms can pineapple be consumed? What are the benefits of eating pineapple every day? We discuss these questions and more in the subsequent paragraphs.

Nutritional Value of Pineapple

Source : newhealthadvisor.com

One cup of pineapple cubes has 1 gram of protein, 2 rams of fiber, and 80 calories. The fruit is an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C. It is also a good source of thiamine (vitamin B1), vitamin B6, pantothenic acid, folate, and dietary fiber.

One serving of pineapple has the potential to meet 40% of the recommended daily requirement of vitamin C, 10% of the recommended daily requirement of vitamin B1, 8% of the daily requirement for vitamin B6, 6% of the daily requirement for magnesium, and 4% of the daily requirements for iron, niacin (vitamin B3), folate, and riboflavin (vitamin B2).

Pineapples do not have any cholesterol or fat, but they do have 16 grams of sugar per cup.

The nutritional value of pineapples differ according to the way in which they are preserved. Data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows that a cup of pineapples canned in syrup has 131 calories and 31.88 grams of sugar. The quantities of minerals and vitamins are also lower as compared to the fresh fruit.

Thus, a healthier way to enjoy the benefits of pineapple is to look for canned pineapple without added sugar or find pineapple canned in fruit juice instead of syrup.

Facts About Pineapple

Here are some interesting pineapple facts:

• Biologically, pineapple is known as Ananas, comosus.
• The pineapple fruit is not a single fruit. It is a composite of many fruitlets or berries that are fused around a central core.
• The individual fruitlets or berries can be identified by the scales or spines on the fruit’s surface.
• The base of the pineapple fruit is sweeter because it contains more sugar. It is also tenderer.
• A pineapple plant needs nearly three years to mature.
• The name of the fruit is derived from the Spanish word “pina.”
• Pineapple is supposed to have originated in South America.
• The pineapple fruit was first discovered by Europeans on Guadalupe islands in the Caribbean in 1493.
• Pineapple canneries do not discard any part of the pineapple. The core, the skin, and the ends are used to make different things.
• In the United States, pineapple is only grown in Hawaii. The fruit was first cultivated in this state in the 18th century.
• Since pineapple is highly perishable, fresh pineapple was considered a luxury among the American colonists. Sugar-coated, glazed pineapples were a rare treat. It was a matter of great prestige to serve fresh pineapple at a party.
• Commercial production of pineapples is done in Thailand, China, the Philippines, Mexico, China, and Brazil.

 Source : heartyhosting.com

Health Benefits of Eating Pineapple

The benefits of pineapple and its sweet taste make this fruit almost everybody’s favorite!

Keeps you Full

One of the benefits of eating pineapple is that it keeps your stomach full for longer because it is nutrient dense. Thus, you do not feel like snacking on unhealthy food like crisps or candy. For the amount of nutrients that you get from pineapple, you eat minimal calories. This is what helps you lose weight when you include pineapple as part of a healthy balanced diet.

Boosts Immune System

The vitamin C present in X helps strengthen your immune system and can reduce the duration of a cold. Bromelain fights mucus in the nose and throat. Thus, your cough may be cured by eating pineapple.

Reduces Blood Clots

Bromelain has the effect of reducing too much coagulation in blood. Thus, people who are at risk of developing blood clots, such as frequent fliers, should eat pineapple regularly.

Source : del.h-cdn.co

Decreases Inflammation

Another benefit of pineapple is that it has anti-inflammatory effects due to the presence of bromelain. Too much inflammation in the body can lead to cancer. Thus, pineapple juice benefits include prevention of tumors.

Studies have shown that bromelain can increase the lifespan of animals with tumors. However, it is yet to be known if the same effect happens in humans as well.

Aids Digestion

Pineapples contain a lot of fiber. Thus, eating pineapple regularly helps you maintain regular bowel movements. Bromelain also breaks down protein in the food we eat, thus helping digest it.

Helps maintain good eyesight

When you eat pineapple on a regular basis, you may be protected from macular degeneration. This is a disease that affects the eye and causes loss of vision. It is a very common disorder with more than 10 million cases per year in India. It cannot be cured but it can be managed by treatment.

Helps strengthen bones

Pineapple contains a good amount of manganese, which helps makes your bones strong. A study conducted in 1994 showed that manganese, along with other trace metals, may prevent osteoporosis in women who have experienced menopause.

Prevents certain diseases

A benefit of pineapple is that it can reduce your chances of getting stroke, cancer, gout, heart disease, cataract, and lead poisoning due to its rich vitamin C content.

Source : esfahanemrooz.ir

Side Effects of Eating Pineapple

Too much of anything is bad and the same is true of pineapples.

• Pineapple extract is used to make meat tender for cooking. Thus, eating too much pineapple may cause the mouth, lips, and tongue to feel tender. However, this effect should not last for more than a few hours.
• If the tender feeling does not heal on its own, or you experience shortness of breath and break out into a rash after eating pineapple, you should consult a doctor immediately. These are possible signs of pineapple allergy.
• The nutrients in pineapple can cause adverse effects if you eat too much of the fruit. You may get diarrhea, heartburn, nausea, vomiting, or abdominal pain due to the high vitamin C content of pineapple.
• The University of Maryland Medical Center has found that the presence of the enzyme bromelain in pineapple can induce skin rashes, excessive menstrual bleeding, diarrhea, and vomiting in people who are sensitive to it.
• Bromelain also has the capability to interact with certain categories of medicines and prevent their mode of action. These medicines are tricyclic antidepressants, barbiturates, anticonvulsants, blood thinners, antibiotics, benzodiazepines, blood coagulants, and drugs for insomnia. Thus, people taking these medications should eat minimal amounts of pineapple.
• Purdue University has discovered that drinking unripe pineapple juice or eating unripe pineapple is dangerous because it is toxic for human beings. It causes vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Fiber balls can be formed in the stomach if you eat too many pineapple cones.

Thus, you should exercise restraint when you eat pineapples.

Pineapple Recipes

Pineapples can be enjoyed in more ways than one.

• You can simply cube the fresh fruit or make juice out of it.
• You can add fresh cream to cut pineapples for a luxurious twist.
• You can add pineapples to ice cream for a fruity treat.
• Pineapples can be included in fruit salads or fruit chaats.
• You will love the sweet, yet tangy taste of fresh pineapple cake.
• Did you know that you can make a quick snack out of grilled pineapple?
• It seems like pineapple and chicken make a good combination. Try out different recipes.
• Make delicious jam out of pineapples and eat a yummy breakfast each morning.
• You can add pineapple chunks to pizza if you’re game for a new type of taste.
• Who can miss the contribution of pineapples to cocktails? Not only does the fruit add an exotic look to the drink, but it can also enhance the taste.
• Pineapples can make lovely desserts. E.g. try honey roasting pineapple slices and adding orange juice, ice cream, or chocolate sauce.
• For pork lovers, pork cooked with pineapple is a heavenly dish. Pineapples give the meal a sweet flavor.
• Young children will love homemade pineapple popsicles that are so easy to make and are a great way of beating the heat in a healthy way during summers.

Fresh pineapples will keep in the refrigerator for 3-5 days before spoiling. The fruit can be frozen but it tends to dilute the sweet taste. When you go to the market, choose pineapples that do not have bruises, soft spots, or dark “eyes.” These signs indicate that the fruit is beginning to rot. Pick pineapples that seem heavy for their size and have a sweet smell near the stem.

You can get the benefits of the nutritional value of pineapples by incorporating the fruit in your everyday life. Just remember not to go overboard!

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