THE BENEFITS TO YOUR HEALTH FROM PINEAPPLE

I was sitting after dinner drinking fresh pineapple juice which prompted me to blog about the health benefits of Pineapple. I drink it not just because I love the taste, it is incredibly healthy and is crammed full of nutrients, flavonoids and anti free radicals (free radicals are what age you ladies). It is also a natural anti inflammatory and brilliant at soothing the digestive system after gastro enteritis, I can personally vouch for this. If you don't like the flavour it makes an excellent face mask dissolving dead skin cells to reveal fresh healthy skin layers. Anyway below are some facts

Health benefits of Pineapple fruit


• Fresh pineapple is storehouse of many health promoting compounds, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health, like calcium, potassium, fiber and vitamin C.

• The fruit is low in calories (provides only 50 cal per 100 g), contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; but rich source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber like pectin.

• Pineapple fruit contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain that digests food by breaking down protein. Bromelain also has anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting and anti-cancer properties. Regular consumption of at least one-half cup daily fresh pineapple can relieve joint pain is recognized in osteoarthritis. In Germany, bromelain is approved as a drug because it is considered post-injury to reduce inflammation and swelling. Studies have shown that consumption of pineapple regularly helps fight against arthritis, indigestion and worm infestation.

• Fresh pineapple is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin; vitamin C. It is required for the collagen synthesis in the body. Collagen is the main structural protein in the body required for maintaining the integrity of blood vessels, skin, organs, and bones. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body protect from scurvy; develop resistance against infectious agents (boosts immunity) and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body. One of the benefits of pineapple is to help build healthy bones. Pineapple is rich in manganese, a mineral that is needed for the body to build bone and connective tissue. Just one cup of pineapple provides 73 percent of the daily recommended amount of manganese. The benefits of pineapple can affect bone growth in young people and strengthening of bones in the elderly. Gums hold your teeth in place and the teeth will be in poor condition if you have unhealthy gums. By eating pineapple, you strengthen the gums for many years later. The benefits of pineapple when you have a cold or cough are the same as the benefits of orange juice. Bromelain found in pineapples, has been found to help suppress coughs and loosen mucus. Bromelain has proven beneficial for upper respiratory tract infections such as sinusitis and bronchitis. Bromelain helps reduce inflammation of the nose and break up mucus in the nose, sinuses and respiratory areas.

• It also contains good amount Vitamin A (provides 58 IU per 100 g) and beta-carotene levels. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A is also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes, skin and essential for vision. Studies have suggested that consumption of natural fruits rich in flavonoids helps body to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers. Pineapple contains more beta carotene is good for the eyes and vision. Studies show that eating three or more servings of pineapple a day can lower the chance to get macular degeneration associated with age, a major cause of vision loss in older people.

• In addition, this fruit is rich in B-complex group of vitamins like folates, thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and minerals like copper, manganese and potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Pineapple can help reduce the risk of blood clots, thereby also preventing the occurrence of heart problems. Copper is helpful cofactor for red blood cell synthesis. Manganese is a co-factor for the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which is a very powerful free radical scavenger.

TABLE OF NUTRIENTS IN PINEAPPLE

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