QUEZON City, Philippines (January 18) – The pineapple may be funny-looking but it has a serious impact on health, and packs a lot health and medicinal benefits including their ability to improve respiratory health, cure coughs and colds, improve digestion, help you lose weight, strengthen bones, improve oral health, boost eye health, reduce inflammation, prevent cancer, increase heart health, fight off infections and parasites, improve the immune system, and increase circulation.
The pineapple is a delicious tropical fruit that have been celebrated for centuries not only for its distinct and unique taste, but also for its seemingly miraculous health benefits. It is eaten fresh, juiced, cooked, and preserved and Its leaves are even used for wallpaper and ceiling insulation. They belong to the Bromeliaceae family and are actual a composite fruit made of coalesced berries that grow at the crown of a fruiting tree.
Pineapple Juice Improves Digestion
The enzyme bromelain present in pineapples is useful in digestion and ensure neutralization of acids. Bromelain breaks down protein into simpler form and promotes digestion. It regulates pancreatic secretion to aid in digestion process. Besides natural digestion aids, bromelain encourages healing of wounds, reduce pain in arthritis. Bromelain also helps in treatment of indigestion and acts as anti-inflammatory agent.
Other benefits of bromelain
The bromelain enzyme is beneficial in preventing of cough and colds as well as having other therapeutic values. Bromelain also helps break down blood clots into simpler forms. Bromelain helps in improvement of breathing by thinning mucous in the respiratory region. Taking bromelain properly helps to lessen arthritic pain. It is also beneficial in inflammatory conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis and rosacea. It is also used as immunity booster. To sum it up, the bromelain enzyme has anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting and anti-cancerous substance.
Pineapple Strengthens Bones
Pineapple is good in maintaining strong and healthy bones due to the presence of manganese. A cup of its juice contains about 73 percent of manganese for daily requirement of the body. It helps bone growth during youth while strengthening bones at the older stage. The juice contains vitamin C and solves the problems related with gums. Manganese is also useful in healing wounds, blood sugar regulation, increases immunity and keeps the skin healthy.
Pineapple is Good for Eyesight
Pineapple contains beta-carotene and vitamin A that good for eyesight. Drinking of its juice prevents macular degeneration and reduces the risk of vision loss at the old age, as suggested by many studies. The presence of anti-oxidants helps to solve eye-related problems and maintains good eye health.
Pineapple Combats Arthritis and Joint Pain
Drinking a glass of pineapple juice can greatly help to alleviate the signs and symptoms of arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory in nature. It reduces pain to old age people who are initially suffering from arthritis. In addition, it also gives relief from muscle pain.
The Nutritional Value of Pineapple Juice
Pineapple juice is packed with vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamin C, B-complex, folate, thiamine, pyridoxine, riboflavin. On the mineral front, it also contains potassium, calcium, phosphorous and Manganese. It is also rich in natural soluble and insoluble fibre and low in calories. Drinking fresh pineapple juice provides 75 percent of our daily requirement of vitamin C. Vitamin C is good for healthy immune system, effective against the common cold and helps in cell growth. Vitamin B boosts metabolic activities of the body. Vitamin B6, in particular, regulate blood sugar. Vitamin A maintains healthy mucus membrane, eyesight and skin. Potassium prevents muscle cramps and soreness.
Pineapple Reduces the Risk of Hypertension
Pineapple juice reduces hypertension due to adequate presence of potassium and lesser amount of sodium. This proportion of potassium and sodium is the best way to combat high blood pressure. A cup contains about 1 milligram of sodium and 195 milligram of potassium. So, it is suggested that persons suffering from hypertension may take pineapple juice regularly. In addition, the pineapple is considered as the fruit which has the lowest amount of sodium.
Pineapple Keeps Teeth and Gum Healthy
Pineapple juice contains high amount of vitamin C which is beneficial for strong teeth. Eating pineapple strengthens gums thus keep our teeth healthy and strong. It prevents plaque formation by restricting the activities of bacteria, reduces the risk of periodontal diseases and gingivitis.
Pineapple is Good for Heart Health
Pineapple juice improves blood circulation, good for heart health and ensures smooth blood flow in the circulatory system. Antioxidants in vitamin C also lower the risks of heart diseases by combating free radicals. Vitamin C also prevents atherosclerosis. It acts like as anti-coagulant.
Other Benefits of Pineapple
- Drinking pineapple juice in the morning prevents sugar and fat cravings, thus good for obesity people to maintain weight or lose weight.
- It boosts immune system because of the presence of vitamin C, A, and selenium.
- Fresh pineapple foot mask smooth skin as it contains alpha-hydroxy acid.
- Due to rich in fibre, it helps to cure constipation and irregular bowel movement.
- Pineapple juice is good for skin and beauty. It helps to improve skin hydration and remove dead cells from skin.
- Drinking of fresh pineapple juice also helps in removing of intestinal worms.
- Its juice acts as natural diuretic and helps to release toxins from the body.
- Pineapples are also beneficial in curing of sore throat and bronchitis.
https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/pineapples.html
(written by Mary Christine Langurayan, edited by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Lovely Ann Cruz)
