You may have heard about the nutritional profile of pineapple, but do you know what it contains? According to registered dietitian Julia Zumpano, pineapple contains very little fat and cholesterol and only 75 calories per cup. What’s more, one serving of pineapple has one-third of your recommended daily value of vitamin C. The vitamin C in pineapple is thought to fight off heart disease and cancer. Read on to find out more about pineapple’s health benefits.
Pineapple is a delicious and juicy tropical fruit that’s packed with nutrients. It’s commonly eaten baked, grilled, or freshly cut. But beyond that, pineapple contains specific compounds with health benefits—namely certain enzymes that can help protect against inflammation and disease. Here are 5 health benefits of pineapple.
Bromelain
Bromelain is a powerful antioxidant found in pineapple, which can be obtained by juice- making the core of the fruit and adding it to your smoothie. It is also considered to be a good remedy for inflammatory diseases, and studies suggest that drinking four to eight ounces of pineapple juice each day can reduce the risk of digestive disorders and ulcerative colitis. Bromelain is also present in the flesh of the pineapple, but this portion of the fruit does not have a high concentration of bromelain.
Vitamin C
One of the many Vitamin C benefits of pineapple is its ability to help with iron absorption. Both heme and non-heme iron can be found in food, but the latter is only found in animal foods. Vitamin C helps support iron absorption because it is necessary for hemoglobin production. Hemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells that carries oxygen. This fruit is rich in Vitamin C and can help improve your bowel health.
Soluble fiber
The high content of soluble and insoluble fiber in pineapples makes it a beneficial food for digestion. A cup of fresh pineapple contains 2.3 grams of soluble fiber, and a whole pineapple is over 13 grams. That’s almost half of your daily allowance. While the fruit is high in both types of fiber, it’s the soluble type that can really help you keep your digestive system in tip-top shape.
Manganese
In addition to the benefits of manganese, the fruit is also a good source of fiber and protein. Half a cup of cooked lentils has about 21 percent of the Daily Value (DV) for manganese. Plus, lentils are a good source of protein and fiber – just over 100 calories for half a cup. And while lentils may not be a great source of manganese, they do contain a good dose of vitamin C, which is essential for overall immunity and growth.
Antioxidants
The antioxidant activity of pineapple has been measured using several methods. The methanol, ethyl acetate, and water extracts exhibited the highest antioxidant activity. These methods were based on the amount of phenolics present in the extracts. The methanol and water extracts had the highest antioxidant capacity, whereas the b-carotene -linoleate extract exhibited the lowest antioxidant activity.
Digestive health
Aside from being delicious, pineapple also has important digestive benefits. It contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down proteins and aids the digestive system in absorbing them. Studies have shown that bromelain can help relieve stomach aches, heartburn, diarrhea, and more. Here are a few of the other benefits of pineapple. So, why is pineapple good for you? And what should you eat to reap the benefits?
Strengthening of bones
One of the easiest ways to strengthen bones is to add pineapple to your diet. This seasonal fruit is high in manganese, a mineral involved in bone formation and mineral density. One cup of pineapple contains 67 percent of your daily recommended allowance of manganese. If you are concerned about the amount of manganese in your diet, don’t be, because a few fresh pineapple slices per day can help. You can also take a vitamin or mineral supplement if you’re deficient in one of these essential minerals.
Human beings have been cultivating pineapples for so many years that it’s difficult to say exactly where and when it originated. However, considering the fact that its Latin name is Ananas comosus, meaning “pine cone adorned,” this tropical fruit has long been associated with people around the world. The pineapple is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that have been known to benefit your health and reduce the risk of scurvy and other diseases.
