The many wonders of pineapples

The next time you have iced tea try putting a slice of pineapple in it for sweetening. The area closer to the base of the fruit has more sugar content and therefore a sweeter taste and more tender texture. Not only will the pineapple give the tea a delicious flavor, it will aid your digestion because of the bromelain it contains. Bromelain is a complex mixture of substances including a group of protein-digesting enzymes called cysteine proteinases. The bromelain of the fruit is not as rich a source as that found in the core and stem which is usually extracted and made into a dietary supplement. Research studies have shown that bromelain taken as a dietary supplement reduces inflammation, heartburn, upset stomach, excessive coagulation of the blood, and certain types of tumor growth. You don’t have to take bromelain as a dietary supplement to benefit from pineapple. Even fresh pineapple has wonderful health benefits. There are 80 nutrients listed on one health food-related web site for pineapple. It is rich in Vitamin C, the body’s primary water-soluble antioxidant, defending it against free radicals that attack and damage normal cells. Free radicals have been shown to promote the artery plaque build-up of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease, cause the airway spasm that leads to asthma attacks, damage the cells of the colon so they become colon cancer cells, and contribute to the joint pain and disability seen in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. This would explain why diets rich in vitamin C have been shown to be useful for preventing or reducing the severity of all of these conditions. In addition, vitamin C is vital for the proper function of the immune system, making it a nutrient to turn to for the prevention of recurrent ear infections, colds, and flu. Just one cup of pineapple supplies almost 140 per cent of the daily value (DV) of vitamin C. Pineapple is an excellent source the trace mineral manganese, which is an essential cofactor in a number of enzymes important in energy production and antioxidant defenses. For example, the key oxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase, which combats free radicals produced within the mitochondria (the part of our cells that produce energy), requires manganese. Just one cup of fresh pineapple supplies 128 per cent of the DV for this very important trace mineral. In addition to manganese, pineapple is a good source of thiamin, a B vitamin that acts as a cofactor in enzymatic reactions central to energy production. If you were taught that carrots would keep your eyes healthy, you should now think “fruit” as well. Data reported in a study published in the Archives of Ophthalmology indicates that eating three or more servings of fruit per day may lower your risk of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the primary cause of vision loss in older adults, by 36 per cent, compared to persons who consume less than 1.5 servings of fruit daily. Three servings of fruit may sound like a lot to eat each day, but pineapple makes a tasty contribution to any meal. Besides enjoying chunks of it by itself, add it to smoothies, yogurt, any fruit and most vegetable salads; for example, add chunks of pineapple to your next coleslaw or carrot salad. I have also cooked it a bit with corn starch as a dessert topping. Pineapple, or Ananas comosus, belongs to the Bromeliaceae family, from which the enzyme bromelain, was named. Its name comes from its similarity to the pinecone. We all know what it looks like but did you realise that pineapples are actually not just one fruit but a composite of many flowers whose individual fruitlets fuse together around a central core? Each fruitlet can be identified by an “eye,” the rough spiny marking on the pineapple’s surface. seven Benefits of Pineapple Lessens risk of hypertension Hypertension occurs when too much force is exerted on the artery walls while the blood circulates. One of the best ways to combat this is to infuse a high amount of potassium plus a small amount of sodium in your diet to lower blood pressure. Pineapples are the perfect for hypertension because a cup of pineapple contains about 1 mg of sodium and 195mg of potassium. Helps you lose weight Eating pineapple can highly cut down your sweet cravings because of its natural sweetness, saving you from a lot of sugar-induced calories. Incorporating a lot of pineapple in your meals will also help in weight loss because pineapples can make you feel full without adding you fats. Maintains good eye health Time and again, studies have found that pineapples protect against age-related eye problems because it is rich in antioxidants. Fights diseases Pineapples are a very good source of vitamin C, which protects our bodies from free radicals that attack our healthy cells. Lots of free radicals in the body can lead to major diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and various cancers. Vitamin C is considered the most important water-soluble anti-oxidant that fights against disease-inducing substances within the body. It is also an excellent fighter against flu and a great enhancer of the immune system. Prevents plaque Another benefit of the high amount of vitamin C in pineapples is that it prevents formation of plaque and gum diseases. Cures constipation Pineapple is rich in fibre, making it effective in curing constipation and irregular bowel movement. Keeps your skin beautiful Pineapple contains enzymes that make skin elastic, improve skin hydration, and remove damaged and dead cells. Thus, it helps us achieve a clear and glowing complexion. The enzymes in pineapples also fight free-radical damage and can reduce age spots and fine lines. This article was first published on www.ambergriscaye.com

Health

The many wonders of pineapples