Pineapple Nutritional Value and Health Benefits
Is pineapple good for you?
Pineapple is a very tasty as well as healthy tropical fruit and is well known for weight loss. It is also called ananas comosus and the name originated in South America when people found it like pinecone in appearance. The pineapple became popular because of its healthy properties like nutrients, antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds like enzymes which fight diseases and inflammation. Pineapple is consumed by everyone as it has so many benefits linked to health in terms of digestion, improving immunity, and shooting recovery after going through surgery. Let us explore the most beneficial benefits of pineapple.
Pineapple nutritional value
When it comes to pineapple, it is loaded with so many nutrients and has a low-calorie content. Considering 165 grams of pineapple flesh, it has the following amount of pineapple nutritional value:
- Calories: 82.5
- Fat: 1.7 grams
- Vitamin B6: 9% of the RDI
- Copper: 9% of the RDI
- Thiamin: 9% of the RDI
- Folate: 7% of the RDI
- Potassium: 5% of the RDI
- Protein: 1 gram
- Carbs: 21.6 grams
- Fiber: 2.3 grams
- Pantothenic acid: 4% of the RDI
- Riboflavin: 3% of the RDI
- Iron: 3% of the RDI
- Vitamin C: 131% of the RDI
- Manganese: 76% of the RDI
- Magnesium: 5% of the RDI
- Niacin: 4% of the RDI
Pineapple not only contains the above nutrients but also contains a good amount of, phosphorus, calcium, and vitamins like A and K. It is noticeably rich in vitamin C and manganese as it provides 76% and 131% of the daily requirement of Vitamin C. vitamin C promotes development and growth and is essential when it comes to keeping your immune system healthy. Not only this, but it also aids in absorbing iron from the diet you consume. Whereas manganese is a mineral that naturally aids growth and helps in maintaining metabolism as it has its antioxidant properties.
1. Accommodates disease-fighting properties
As pineapple is rich in nutrients, it is also rich in antioxidants, what are antioxidants? Antioxidants are molecules that help you and your body in combating oxidative stress. Oxidate stress is a phase that creates a lot of free radicals in your body. Further, these radicals cause damage after interacting with your body’s cells which are connected to severe inflammation and a weak immune system as it contains many harmful diseases. Antioxidants such as phenolic acids and flavonoids are present in high amounts in a pineapple, that is why it is a good choice to add to your diet. Not only this, but they have also fought properties that have the ability to survive even in worse conditions happening inside the body and show long-lasting effects.
2. Ease digestion
Pineapple contains another property which is a group of enzymes that are known as bromelain. Their function is just like that of proteases which makes sure to break down protein molecules that build blocks like amino acids and tiny peptides. Once these molecules of protein break down, it becomes easy to digest them in the small intestine. It is beneficial for people who face difficulty in creating natural digestive enzymes known as pancreatic insufficiency.
For instance, a study shows that people who were suffering from pancreatic insufficiency were able to make better digestion after consuming any digestive supplement loaded with enzymes containing bromelain as compared to those who consumed digestive supplements without bromelain. Bromelain has the ability to break off tough meat proteins and that is why it is used as a meat tenderizer commercially.
3. Decreases the risk of cancer
Cancer is the most common and nerve-shaking chronic disease which is caused due to uncontrolled cell growth. Many studies Say that pineapple is something that has anti-cancer properties as well and thus it helps in preventing cancer. This happens because it minimizes inflammation and oxidative stress. For example, a test tube study Says that bromelain is present in pineapple damages the cells that cause breast cancer. Another one said that it damages cancer cells present in the skin, duct, bile, colon, and gastric systems as well as other areas. It also stimulates the immune system in a way that damages the cancer cells.
4. Might boost immunity and suppress inflammation
Did you know that pineapples have been consumed as a traditional medicine for centuries? No, right. So, pineapples have been considered for medical use as well because they have a lot of vitamins, enzymes like bromelain, and minerals. Enzymes help in boosting immunity and reducing inflammation. Those who consume pineapple are at lower risk of being infected with viral or bacterial as it creates white blood cells which help in fighting with them. Consuming pineapple also helps you in recovering from sinus infections.
5. Might ease the symptoms of arthritis
Arthritis is an inflammation caused in your joints and affects a lot of people. Pineapple contains bromelain which can help get relief from pain that is caused due to arthritis as it contains anti-inflammatory properties. A study said that Bromelain was used to treat symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. What is rheumatoid arthritis? It is a disease in which inflammation is caused in joints. Not only this but it is also said that it helps in treating osteoarthritis. For a shorter period, it can be good to see relief in symptoms but before making a statement more research is required on the same.
6. Can speed up recovery after surgery or intensive workout
Consuming pineapple is beneficial in speeding up recovery after surgery and workout. It is because pineapple has bromelain in it which has anti-inflammatory properties. Many studies show that it helps reduce swelling, inflammation, pain, and bruising that is seen after going through surgery. It is considered helpful in reducing marks of inflammation. A study Has shown that people undergoing dental surgery after consuming bromelain had reduced pain and felt happier than the ones who did not consume one. It was considered the same as anti-inflammatory medicine. An intensive workout at times breaks your muscle tissue and causes inflammation around it which further leads to the soreness of the muscle. Hence, you are not able to use force. For reducing the symptoms, you can consume proteases like bromelain that are present in pineapple. People who consume it have less inflammation and more strength in them.
Tasty and easy to add to the diet
Pineapples are easy to add to your plate as they have a sweet taste and are also convenient. They are not costly so anyone can afford them and it is available to everyone in fresh form. You can choose your way to add them to your diet. You can prepare salad, pizza, or smoothie out of it.
A few ways to add it your diet are
- Breakfast: Prepare a Pineapple and Greek yogurt smoothie
- Salad: Consume in the form of Tropical roast chicken, almond, blueberry, and pineapple salad
- Lunch: Homemade Hawaiian burgers (beef burgers with a pineapple ring)
- Dinner: Baked ham with pineapple and cherries
- Dessert: Pineapple fruit salad
Pineapple side effect
Every individual is allergic to some food or fruits. Foods are prone to be more allergic than fruits. So, what exactly is pineapple allergy?
An allergic reaction to pineapple can be triggered by coming in contact with pineapple. You can feel serious complications while coming in contact with pineapple by eating or touching or drinking pineapple juice if you are allergic to pineapple.
The most common food allergies include:
- nuts (tree nuts and peanuts)
- wheat
- milk
- fish
- soy
- shellfish
- eggs
What are the symptoms?
When you are allergic to something then immediately you might feel the symptoms or consequences while being in contact with that fruit or food. pineapple allergy when exposed to an allergic person can show immediate symptoms or might take a few hours for the first symptom to occur.
Intense itching and hives are quite common symptoms of the occurrence of pineapple allergy. Hives can be seen in more than one area of your body.
You may also experience digestive symptoms, like stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms provide you with a hint to do something about your allergic reaction.
In addition to digestive symptoms, pineapple allergy symptoms can include:
- swelling of the face, tongue, throat, and lips
- difficulty breathing
- flushing of the face
- intense itching or hives
- constipation
- sinus congestion
- metallic taste in the mouth
- dizziness
- fainting
- anaphylactic shock
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency. Consult a doctor immediately and seek immediate medical help if you have breathing issues or mind experiencing anaphylactic shock.
