Amazing Benefits Of Pineapples
Pineapples are a delicious tropical fruit that have been celebrated for centuries not only for their distinct and unique taste, but also for their seemingly miraculous health benefits. Their health and medicinal benefits include 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
Pineapples are eaten fresh, juiced, cooked, and preserved and their 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
Historically, the most significant grower of pineapples was Hawaii, but they are now cultivated in large quantities in Brazil, the Philippines, and Costa Rica. That being said, the fruit is actually native to Paraguay and Brazil, and possibly parts of the Caribbean. The exact movement of pineapples and the evolution of pineapples as a popular global fruit are still somewhat unknown. It was first brought to Europe and Spain following Christopher Columbus’s return there in 1493
Its fruiting season run from March until June, and each tree can produce a number of fruits. The name pineapple actually evolved in the 17th century due to its similar structure and appearance to pine cones. Traditionally, they were known as “ananas”. The fruit itself is up to a foot long and is surrounded by thorny spikes, topped with hard, waxy leaves, sometimes up to thirty per fruit. Pineapples and their sweet juice are used and enjoyed around the world, even as a popular flavor in alcoholic drinks, the most famous of which is the tropical drink, the pina colada!
Nutritional Value Of Pineapples
Aside from the interesting story and appearance of this fruit, it is also a storehouse of huge health benefits due to its wealth of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, including potassium, copper, manganese, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, beta carotene, thiamin, B6, and folate, as well as soluble and insoluble fiber, and bromelain
Some Amazing Health Benefits Of Pineapples
Arthritis Management: One of the most celebrated uses of pineapple in terms of health is its ability to reduce the inflammation of joints and muscles, particularly those associated with arthritis, a truly debilitating disease that affects millions of people around the world. Pineapples contain a relatively rare proteolytic enzyme called bromelain, which is primarily associated with breaking down complex proteins, but it also has serious anti-inflammatory effects, and has been positively correlated with reducing the signs and symptoms of arthritis in many test subjects
Immune System: A single serving of pineapple has more than 130% of the daily requirement of vitamin-C for human beings, making it one of the richest and most delicious sources of ascorbic acid. Vitamin C is mainly associated with reducing illness and boosting the immune system by stimulating the activity of white blood cells and acting as an antioxidant to defend against the harmful effects of free radicals. Free radicals are dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism that can damage various organ systems and disrupt function, as well as cause healthy cells to mutate into cancerous ones. The vitamin C content of pineapples defends against this