Pineapple is a kind of tropical fruit, native mainly to South America and with cultivation extensions to other places like Hawaii in the United States, making this country the largest supplier of this fruit.
Pineapple is a healthy and important fruit with a fairly recognizable appearance, however, what we will review in this article will be 10 of the benefits of pineapple that have been proven by science, as well as its nutritional properties and ways of consumption.
What is pineapple?
With the scientific name of “Ananas comosus” , the pineapple or American pineapple is a herbaceous fruit belonging to the bromeliad family , its appearance is oval and it contains a stem that protrudes from its crown, with a yellow and bittersweet pulp.
It is a very low-calorie tropical fruit and can be consumed fresh , as an accompaniment to other foods or even in the form of pineapple juice, apart from the fact that its stem leaves are used for medicinal purposes as well as the pulp of the fruit.
Note: Regarding the cultivation of pineapple, an analysis determines that: “The essential condition for the cultivation of pineapple is the temperature: it cannot be less than approximately 25°C to guarantee normal growth of the plant and its fruiting” . ( 1)
What does pineapple do in the body?
Pineapple is essential for the body in various aspects such as weight loss, hydration, and it is even favorable for the organs of the digestive tract . For these reasons, we will show you below the health benefits provided by pineapple:
1. Strengthens the immune system
Pineapple can help raise the body’s defenses , since its antioxidant properties such as vitamin C and folic acid stimulate leukocytes, resulting in one of the great benefits of this peculiar fruit.
Other essential elements of pineapple for the benefits of the immune system are the pigments that are better known as flavonoids, specifically quercetin, which is very functional to prevent cell oxidation and other effects that we will see later.
Important: A study adds that: “One of the antioxidants in the pineapple peel is the natural enzyme called bromelain, which strengthens the immune system and helps produce amino acids . ” (two)
2. Promotes heart health
Pineapple is a food indicated to promote heart health, since again we find its antioxidant properties, firstly because it reduces the risk of the effects of free radicals that cause heart disease.
Secondly, pineapple has the property of alleviating problems in people who suffer from hypertension due to its high potassium content, as well as considerably lowering LDL cholesterol levels for the most part.
3. Regulates blood sugar levels
One of the benefits of pineapple is regulating blood sugar or glucose levels, which makes it ideal for diabetes patients, whether eaten sliced or juiced, as long as no additional sweeteners are added. .
To highlight: Pineapple fiber is ideal for type 1 diabetes by lowering glucose levels, while for type 2 diabetes it is responsible for stimulating the greatest possible absorption of insulin and improves absorption in the pancreas.
4. Eliminate fluid retention
Continuing with what was previously said, pineapple is effective in eliminating fluid retention (edema) through fiber , whose effects are mainly diuretic , that is, they eliminate sodium accumulation or excess water under the skin.
You should know: Bromelain also has a fundamental role in this, it is not only a diuretic but it is also effective in reducing inflammation caused by edema , taking into account that the potassium in pineapple is also involved in the elimination of liquids.
5. Promotes digestive functions
Pineapple can also support digestive functions, where dietary fiber and the fruit’s unique enzymes that stimulate the gastrointestinal tract play a key role, preventing constipation and liver irritation.
In this sense, the bromelain enzyme regulates intestinal transit, stimulates increased absorption of nutrients and gastric juices, apart from eliminating harmful inflammatory cells from the intestinal tract that are called cytokines.
Note : Research stresses that: “ Bromelain is definitely useful as a digestive enzyme . Unlike most digestive enzymes, bromelain is activated in both the acidic environment of the stomach and the alkaline environment of the small intestine . (3)
6. Strengthens the bones
One of the benefits of pineapple is to strengthen the bones, thanks to the fact that it provides a large number of calcium and magnesium to the bone tissue, which can prevent states of fatigue, sudden cramps and helps the growth of the skeleton.
To highlight: Magnesium is the most important element for bone tissue when pineapple is consumed, either fresh or in juices , taking into account that pineapple can provide much more than 70% magnesium.
7. Improves respiratory conditions
Pineapple is essential to improve respiratory conditions, especially helps prevent asthma, cough and can relieve colds in general . On the other hand, it reduces the viscosity of the sputum so that it does not accumulate in the respiratory tract.
You should know: This is achieved through a unique compound in pineapple known as beta-carotene, considered a kind of supplement for vitamin A that is quite beneficial for lung functions in its entirety.
8. Reduces joint pain and inflammation
Pineapple food reduces pain and joint inflammation, which makes it essential to reduce the symptoms of arthritis, being also one of the many foods to treat rheumatoid arthritis due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
However, it not only reduces pain or inflammation at the joint level, it also does so at the muscular level, since it can promote muscle recovery after sports or exercises, as well as reducing heartburn and intestinal pain. .
9. Fight anemia
The pineapple fruit works to combat anemia, which is a state where there is a low presence of iron in the body, with the consequence of having a lower presence of red blood cells and extreme fatigue.
But fortunately, the antioxidants in pineapple are essential to improve the absorption of iron (a mineral housed in the pulp of the fruit), apart from reducing states of fatigue by providing the body with necessary proteins.
10. Promotes skin health
Another of the benefits of pineapple is to promote skin health, by increasing collagen production, therefore, it is widely used for remedies or skin treatments that provide better hydration to the dermal layers.
To highlight: It is a fruit with properties that can help reduce wrinkles and exfoliate the skin, through antioxidants and enzymes that help repair damaged tissues, as well as reduce the appearance of acne and irritation.
Pineapple properties
Finally, after describing the benefits of pineapple, we can explore the properties that make them possible. Taking into account a consumption of 100 gr, the pineapple contains the following elements:
1. Vitamins
This fruit is rich in vitamin E, vitamin C (which the former have antioxidant effects), B complex vitamins (such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin and folic acid), vitamin K and even vitamin A in the vast majority.
2. Minerals
This fruit has a high content of minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium , phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, beta-carotene, zinc , selenium, copper and manganese, which makes it a very essential fruit for health.
3. Other compounds
Pineapple is rich in fiber, protein , lipids, carbohydrates, low in calories, carbohydrates and abundant in water, but it also contains unique compounds such as the bromelain enzyme within its structure.
How should pineapple be consumed?
Pineapple can be consumed in many ways, the main one being fresh, sliced and can be accompanied with other fruits such as strawberries or bananas , on the other hand it can be used to prepare juices or natural juices .
Another important point is that pineapple is not recommended to be consumed after being processed or prepared in hot drinks, since nutrients can be lost, especially natural bromelain.
Note: Pineapple is also accompanied in recipes such as salads, pizzas, rice, risottos, and even ceviches.
Key Findings
- Pineapple is a tropical fruit with a particularly sweet and sour taste.
- It has benefits for heart health, respiratory health, and also for reducing inflammation or pain.
- It contains in its structure an abundance of vitamins and minerals , water, fiber, antioxidants, enzymes and proteins.
- It is recommended to be consumed mainly fresh, because this way it does not lose its most important nutrients.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.