Pineapples are a tropical fruit with amazing health benefits. They can be added to salads and desserts, they can also be used for making pineapple juice, an ideal summer drink. With its bright yellow interior and spiny exterior, this fruit with a sweet and sour taste is highly refreshing.
What`s its Nutritional Value?
- Calcium 16 mg
- Carbohydrate 7 g
- Dietary fiber 40g
- Energy 52 calories
- Protein 54g
- Iron 28 mg
- Zinc 10 mg
- Vitamin A 130 I.U
- Vitamin B1 079 mg
- Vitamin B2 031 mg
- Vitamin B3 489 mg
- Vitamin B6 110 mg
- Vitamin C 24 mg
Now to the Health Benefits
Reduces Cholesterol
Pineapple juice lowers high cholesterol levels because it`s got properties that naturally reduce extra cholesterol in the bloodstream. Regular consumption of pineapple juice normalizes blood pressure and controls the factors that increase it.
Strengthens Bones
Pineapple juice is beneficial for building stronger bones. Enriched with manganese, pineapple juice ensures strong bones and tissues. A single serving of it contains 73% manganese that is required on a daily basis. This benefit of pineapple juice is effective for children and adults.
Aids Healing of Injuries
Pineapple juice is bursting with bromelain, making it useful for treating tendon injuries and muscle tears. Bromelain decreases malondialdehyde levels, which can cause tissue mutations. According to experts, drinking pineapple juice heals wounds and ensures a quick recovery.
Relieves Joints Pain
Because it is enriched with anti-inflammatory qualities, pineapple juice relieves muscle cramps and joint pain. What’s more? The presence of bromelain found in the juice can treat arthritis. And its anti-inflammatory components combat the inflammation that occurs in the joints, which is often considered as a symptom of arthritis.
Promotes Male Fertility
Now, this is great news! The manganese enzyme found in this juice boosts sperm quality. Did you know that a glass of fresh pineapple juice contains 1.3 mg of manganese? Now that’s more than needed in a single day. Now you’re about to get really surprised: this manganese enzyme can improve and increase sperm mobility too.
Ensures Proper Digestion
Pineapple juice contains fiber, and fiber consumption is essential in maintaining proper digestion, as it soothes the digestive system, and improves bowel movement. It also treats constipation.
Reduces Risk of Cancer
The presence of antioxidants and bromelain can fight cancerous cells and free radicals. The bromelain enzyme has the potential to stop the growth of cancerous cells. Now, rest assured that we are not discussing anything outside the abilities of pineapple juice. You should also know that it functions as an immunity booster.
Boosts Energy
Who doesn’t want higher energy levels, really? A glass of pineapple juice is filled with loads of essential components including vitamin C. This juice is a wonderfully rich source of vitamin C. Vitamin C combines with vitamin B1 to boost energy and metabolism. Having this healthy juice daily helps you have a great day always, with high levels of energy.
Prevents Anemia
Did you know that pineapple juice is bursting with iron? It does, and this makes it for maintaining good health. It particularly contributes to the formation of red blood cells. Of course, you know that less red blood cells in the blood causes anemia, which in turn can lead to horrible health disorders.
A Pineapple Juice Recipe
More than Just a Pineapple Juice: Pineapple-Ginger Juice
What’s Needed?
- A pineapple fruit
- Ginger
- Lime
- Water
How’s it Made?
- Blend the pineapple and ginger with the water until all the ingredients are pureed.
- Strain the juice into a clean container with a fine mesh strainer or a nut milk bag.
- Squeeze the lime juice into the strained juice.
- Serve the juice chilled.
Interesting Pineapple Facts
- Pineapple is pollinated by some birds such as bats and hummingbird.
- There are over 200 flowers are produced by a single pineapple plant. These flowers have their individual fruits which look like scales. Then these individual fruits join to form a single pineapple. What’s more? The 200 flowers have different colors ranging from purple to red and even lavender.
- Pineapple belongs to the family called bromeliad. Of all the plants that belong to this family, pineapple is the most economically profitable.
- Pineapple originated in a place between Paraguay and Brazil. This means that it is indigenous to South America.
- It was Christopher Columbus who first took a pineapple to Europe.
- A pineapple can take up to three years to grow and become mature on a plant.
- Once pineapples are harvested, they won’t ripen any further.
- Pineapples are easily perishable once they’re fully ripened.
What about Side Effects?
- The juice from unripe pineapples can cause vomiting.
- As much as pineapples are suitable for pregnant women, giving relief from morning sickness, they can have an adverse effect on their health and their developing babies`. This is because pineapples contain a lot of enzymes, some of which increase uterus contractions in the early stages of pregnancy, and may eventually lead to miscarriage. If you`re thinking if pineapples are even worth eating at all during pregnancy, yes they are, but in the later stage, especially after confirming from your doctor if it`s safe.
- Pineapples provide arthritis and rheumatism patients with anti-inflammatory benefits, but because pineapple gets converted to alcohol on reaching the gastrointestinal tract, and this alcohol can affect them negatively, it is advised that excess pineapple is not consumed by these patients, to avoid increasing the risk of fracture. In essence, moderation in intake is essential.
- Pineapples are beneficial for providing relief from blood clots because they contain bromelain. However, people who are on anticoagulant (blood-thinning drugs) should avoid eating pineapples because it may have adverse effects on their health.
- Pineapples contain potassium, however, excess potassium causes kidney failure because of the burden on kidneys to excrete it. People who already have challenges with their kidneys may need to avoid pineapples outright.
- Pineapples are acidic in nature, hence they initiate a chemical process in the mouth when consumed, softening the enamel and causing tooth decay.
- Pineapples contain bromelain, and excess bromelain ingestion is associated with adverse reactions such as nausea, diarrhea, excess menstrual flow, skin rash, vomiting, swelling of the mouth and cheeks.
- Pineapples interact with antibiotics such as amoxicillin and tetracycline, leading to chills, chest pain, fever, bloody nose, and dizziness.
