Pineapple is probably one of the fruits that could be found in every country in the world but pineapple required tropical climate to grow. There is no specific season to grow pineapple that’s why everyone could enjoy this fruit in every season.
Pineapple was initially introduced by European in the late of 1300s and then in 16th century pineapple was introduced to Asian and the popularity of pineapple is starting to spread around countries with tropical climate. Until then Pineapple is rarely found in United States until they grow them in Hawaii in 18th century.
The appearance of pineapple is a bit unique but containing a lot of important properties that are beneficial for human health. The taste is the combination of sweet and sour, so it is a perfect combination for healthy and fresh beverages. It is not only fresh but also rich of healthy nutrients. The details of nutrients could be found in the table below:
Nutrients Breakdown of Pineapple
Below is the explanation of nutrients contained in Pineapple. And then the explanation about the health benefits of pineapple will follow suit.
| General | Nutrients Value | %RDA | Â |
| Energy | 50 kcal | 2.5% | Pineapple is quite rich of carbohydrate, that’s why Diabetes patient which has problem with their glucose level should aware that pineapple could be dangerous for them though consuming them in moderate amount is still safe. |
| Carbohydrate | 14 g | 10% | |
| Protein | 0.5 g | 1% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.4 g | 4% | |
| Â Vitamins | |||
| Vitamin C | 48 g | 80% | Just by consuming moderate amount of pineapple, you are able to provide almost 80% of Vitamin C required by your body.
The amount of Beta Carotene contained in Pineapple is also relatively high.
As rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Beta Carotene, Pineapple is one of the fruits which are considered to be the rich source of antioxidant. |
| Vitamin A | 58 IU | 2% | |
| Folates | 18 µg | 5% | |
| Beta Carotene | 35 µg | ||
| Minerals | |||
| Potassium | 109 mg | 3% | Pineapple is healthy fruit which is fat and cholesterol fee. The amount of sodium is relatively low replaced by the moderate amount of potassium.
|
| Sodium | 1 mg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 13 mg | 1% | Though the amount is not significant but together they are having prominent role in contributing the healthy body system. |
| Copper | 0.1 mg | 12% | |
| Iron | 0.3 mg | 4% | |
| Magnesium | 12 mg | 3% | |
| Mangenese | 1 mg | 40% | |
| Phosporous | 8 mg | 1% | |
| Zinc | 0.1 mg | 1% |
Benefits of Pineapple
The nutrients breakdown mentioned above is your guide lines toward how beneficial pineapple for your health is. Below is the list of benefits of pineapple for your daily life.
- Age-related macular degeneration
Beta-carotene found in pineapple is effective solution to prevent the degeneration of cells in elderly. In other words, it is also effective to prevent the age-related macula degeneration condition. That’s why consuming pineapple regularly since in young age is highly recommended.
- Blood Pressure Control
One of the reasons behind the raise of blood pressure level is due to high content of sodium found in the blood. Potassium is one of the substances that could act as anti-sodium whereas it will remove the excess amount of sodium and control the blood pressure. Since pineapple is so rich of potassium so it is recommended to lower the blood pressure level.
- Cancer
There are two reasons why pineapple is good to prevent cancer. First, pineapple is so rich of beta-carotene which has role as protector for certain cancers like prostate and colon cancer. Second, pineapple is so rich of Vitamin C which will act as antioxidant to fight free radicals that has prominent role in developing the cancerous cells in the body.
- Good for Diabetes Patient
Pineapple is good diet option for both patient diabetes type 1 and type 2. The high fiber content in pineapple will assist patient diabetes type 1 in lowering the blood sugar level while the in patients diabetes type 2 will assist them increasing the insulin production. However, still keep in mind that pineapple should be consumed on the right amount or the effect will be the opposite.
- Prevent Constipation
There is no doubt that all fruits or foods which are rich of fiber are good for digestive tract and very effective to prevent constipation. Pineapple is not the exception and considered to be one of the highest. Besides that pineapple also contains water that will assure the fiber to function optimally in digestive system.
- Fertility Enhancer
Pineapple is also effective as fertility enhancer for both male and female supported by two reasons. First, pineapple is so rich of vitamin C and minerals like copper and zinc and then also contains adequate amount of beta-carotene and folate which are good for male and female fertility. Second, pineapple is natural source of antioxidant that will fight free radical effectively since free radicals could affect reproduction system as well.
- Asthma Prevention
One of the ways to prevent the development of asthma is by consuming food which is rich of beta-carotene and pineapple is one of those fruits which are so rich of beta-carotene.
- Immunity System Booster
As rich in vitamin C of course pineapple could act as immunity system booster as well. Vitamin C will assist in stimulating the production and the activity of white blood cells that will provide one layer of protection against certain illness. Besides that, as rich of antioxidant of course pineapple could protect body from free radicals and others harmful substances as well.
- Rich Source of Collagen
Vitamin C is the main substances required to create collagen in the body and pineapple is considered to be one of those fruits with the high amount of vitamin C. Collagen has prominent function in healing wound, injuries as well as infection. Collagen is also has important role in maintaining skin’s health.
- Arthritis Management
Pineapple also contains some substances that could act as anti-inflammatory which has ability to reduce any inflammation cases in the joints and muscle. That’s why pineapple could work as arthritis management and it has been backed up with researches.
- Cough and Cold
Vitamin C contained in pineapple is enough as reason that this fruit could act as immunity booster to heal cough and cold faster. However, there is one more enzyme considered to be rare enzyme found in pineapple that will treat respiratory tracts and sinus cavities more effectively; it is an enzyme called bromelain.
- Bone Health
Speaking of bone health and then it will closely related to calcium. Pineapple is also rich source of certain types of calcium which has significant role in maintaining the bone health; one that is contained in very impressive amount is manganese. One single serving of pineapple will fulfill almost 70% of your body requirement toward calcium.
- Dental Health
Pineapple is also rich of astringent properties which have been proven to be able in maintaining the dental health especially the gum health. Besides that as rich in calcium of course pineapple is also good to maintain the strength of teeth.
- Eye Health
Eye might be the most important sense that should be maintained. Beta-carotene found in pineapple has significant role in making sure the eye health. It contributes in improving vision as well as an effective preventive action against age-related macular degeneration which closely related to blur vision and in worst case is blindness in elderly.
- Blood Circulation
Potassium contained in pineapple will work together with copper to produce certain enzymes which will affect the production of red blood cells. Healthy amount of red blood cells in the body will make sure the optimal oxygenation in various organs. That’s why pineapple is also good for blood circulation.
- Blood Clot Reduction
The reason behind the development of blood clot is when plaques are formulated in the arteries which will disturb the blood regulation and cause your heart to work harder. Bromelain level which is relatively high found in pineapple could assist in removing the plaques found in the arteries and at the same time improving the circulation of blood and make your heart works in ease pace.
- Rich Source of Antioxidant
Everyone knows that antioxidant is prominent to maintain health condition against free radicals. Since today is rather difficult to avoid free radicals that caused by pollutions, fast foods as well as unhealthy lifestyle. That’s why consuming foods rich of antioxidants like pineapple could reduce the risk of free radicals affecting your healthy life.
- Prevent Hypertension
Hypertension caused by when your blood circulation is disturbed and the blood pressure level is higher than normal. As mentioned above, pineapple contained high potassium level that will remove the excess amount of sodium that could cause hypertension and then a certain enzyme called bromelain will make sure your arteries will function optimally that will reduce the risk of hypertension.
- Relieve Nausea
Pineapple juice is one of the effective solutions to deal with nausea caused by certain conditions.
- Natural Intestine Detoxification
Bromelain is also well known as effective digestive tract enzyme that could work as intestine detoxification by removing some unnecessary substances along with the waste. The same enzyme is also effective in removing intestinal parasites which could be dangerous for your digestive tract health.
For Beauty Sake
Benefits of Pineapple for beauty already proven around the world as one of best fruits, so it called queen of fruits in earth.
- Younger Skin
Vitamin C is the important substance in the production of collage in the body system. Collagen itself has a lot of functions and one of them is improving the elasticity of your skin so it will look firmer and more flexible. The overall result is your skin will glow and look younger. You could use pineapple juice as a masker to maintain the health of your skin face.
- Solution for Acne
As rich in Bromelain; one of the enzyme that could act as anti-inflammatory surely pineapple is effective to cure acne as well as the rashes and the wound caused by the damaged skin cells caused by acne. Besides that the Vitamin C contained in pineapple will assist in the production of collagen that will stimulate the healing process.
- Exfoliating Agent
Do you know that pineapple also able to make your skin look brighter? It is due to the high content of vitamin C in pineapple is enough to stimulate the collagen production. Furthermore, applying the pulp of pineapple in your face also could work as exfoliating agent that will assist in removing the dead skin and reveal the true color of your face.
- Solution of Cracks on Your Feet
Pineapple is not only effective to remove the dead skin in your face but also able to get rid of the cracks in your feet. How it works is almost the same, what you need to do is just applying the pineapple pulp to the ugly flaky skin in your feet and use it as scrubs to remove the dead skin cells. The collagen contained in pineapple will replace your flaky skin with smoother and healthier skin.
- Strengthen Nails
Dry and brittle nails could happen to anyone due to some deficiency conditions like the lack of vitamin A and vitamin B. Don’t jump right away to consume supplement but choose pineapple instead. Pineapple is rich of calcium that has been proven to be beneficial in maintaining the health of bones and dental organ; it means that pineapple is also able to strengthen your nails.
- Hydrated Skin
Dehydrated skin means your skin is dry and dull which will look ugly. Radiant skin will improve your appearance as well and pineapple could help you dealing with this use by hydrating your skin.
- Dry Lips Solution
Just like hydrating your skin, pineapple is containing adequate amount of nourishing properties that could help you getting rid of dry lips problem.
- Stronger Hair
Not only good for your skin. Pineapple is also good for your hair. Especially for women, hair is their crown that’s why having healthy and strong hair is a must. Pineapple contained special enzyme that could help you having healthy and strong hair.
- Hair Loss Solution
As antioxidant and rich of vitamin C of course Pineapple is also recommended to deal with hair loss problem.
- Inflammatory Scalp Condition
People are easily forgetting that healthy scalp means healthy hair. Besides that scalp is also part of your skin that required the same treatment as well.
Warning
- Rich Source of Bromelain
Bromelain is one of the rare enzymes which found in pineapple and has a lot of functions as mentioned above. However, if bromelain is entering your body in high amount could trig some reaction and one of them is able to increase the bleeding reaction that will lead to miscarriage to pregnant women. That’s why perhaps avoiding pineapple during pregnancy is not a myth at all.
- Rich Source of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is powerful vitamin but consuming it too much will cause the opposite effect. It’s like if you are consuming too much pineapple and then some symptoms like nausea, diarrhea and heartburn could occur.
- Causes Tenderness in Your Mouth and Lips
Professional chef usually used pineapple to make their meat tender. It happened due to bromelain. So, the same thing could be apply to your body as well if you are consuming too much pineapple, you will feel your mouth and lips a bit tender. In more serious case this condition could be an early symptom of allergic reaction.
- Unripe Pineapple May be Toxic for Human
One important thing to note is that unripe pineapple is toxic for human. Consuming it will cause some serious stomach condition like vomiting and diarrhea.
- Blood Sugar Level
Pineapple is good for diabetes patient due to the high content of fiber however it only works if pineapple consumed in moderate amount. Pineapple contained carbohydrate in relatively high amount that’s why you should aware of the sugar contained in Pineapple as well. If pineapple is consumed in high dosage the high content of sugar contained in pineapple will cause the opposite condition to patient which already has problem with their blood sugar level.
- Drug Interaction
If you are currently consuming some drugs perhaps consulting your doctor first before putting pineapple as part of your daily diet is recommended because bromelain contained in pineapple could negatively interact with other substances contained in your prescribed drugs. There is no other way but being cautions.
- Tooth Decay
Pineapple is one of the fruits which sugar content and the acidic content is quite high. That’s why consuming pineapple in high dosage could cause problems in your dental organ and one of them is tooth decay. Brush your teeth after consuming pineapple is the best preventive action that you could be done to make sure all the sugary content is completely removed from your tooth.
- Allergic Reaction
Allergic reaction caused by pineapple is not suffered by everyone just some with specific condition will react. If you are suffering some conditions like sore throat and tingling sensation in your lips after consuming pineapple and then you should aware that perhaps you are allergic t pineapple. Immediate response is required to avoid more serious condition. However, in most case this condition happened just because the person is consuming pineapple in high dosage.
Important thing to note that no matter how beneficial pineapple for your health is still consuming it in high dosage could cause some harmful effect for your body. It is true that pineapple is one of the fruits that are widely found in variant of cuisine around the world. That’s make pineapple is very popular worldwide.