Pineapple – A Multibeneficial Fruit

Pineapple or Ananas comosus is a wonderful tropical fruit with immense health benefits. Its main producers are Thailand, Brazil, Philippines and China.

Pineapple fruit is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It is rich in carbs(sugar) ,fibre ,vitamin C ,vitamin b1,vitamin b6 , folate , manganese, potassium ,copper ,phytochemicals and polyphenols.

It contains a group of protein digesting enzymes called BROMELAIN.

Bromelain is a complex mixture of substances that can be extracted from stem and core fruit of pineapple.
Pineapples are consumed or served fresh, cooked, juiced or can be preserved. It is highly perishable and seasonal.

USES AND HEALTH BENEFITS:

• Pineapple helps to boost energy levels as it is rich in carbohydrates, vitamin B1 and vitamin B6.
• Pineapple helps in digestion and cures various digestive tract ailments.
• As pineapple is a rich source of fibre thus it helps to cure constipation.
• Pineapple is rich source of vitamin C as well. One healthy ripen pineapple fruit can provide 16.2% of daily requirement for vitamin C. Vitamin C act as antioxidant and thus helps in preventing urinary tract infections, skin disease.
• It also helps in treating Atherosclerosis and immune disorder due its high antioxidant content.
  Pineapples act as diuretic which helps to eliminate toxins through urine helping patients with ailments of kidney and bladder.
• Manganese present in pineapple is a trace mineral which help to build bone and connective tissue. Manganese is also helpful in boosting fertility by enhancing the sperm quality.
• Malic acid present in pineapple also helps to boost immunity, promotes smooth firm skin and maintain oral health.
• Bromelain present in pineapple act as anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic. Bromelain has the capacity to modulate key pathways that supports malignancy.
• Studies showed that anti-cancer activity of bromelain has direct impact on cancer cells and their microenvironment.
• Bromelain has potential to eliminate burn debris and to accelerate wound healing.

HOW TO SELECT PINEAPPLE:
Pineapples should be free of soft spots, bruises and darkened “eyes,” all of which may indicate that the pineapple is not fresh. Pineapple stops ripening as soon as it is picked, so choose fruit with a fragrant sweet smell at the stem end. Avoid pineapple that smells musty, sour or fermented.

PINEAPPLE AND ITS SIDE EFFECTS:
When unripe, the pineapple fruit is not edible and can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and throat irritation. Swelling of the mouth and cheeks can result from eating large amounts of the fruit.

The person with chronic kidney disease should avoid taking pineapple as it is high in potassium.

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