7 health benefits of eating pineapples

7/29/2019 7 Health Benefits of Eating Pineapples

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7 Health Benefits of Eating PineapplesPineapples are some of the most popular tropical fruits in the world. They aresweet, juicy, and delicious. More importantly, they are very healthy and nutritious. Itis no wonder many people who want to have a healthy lifestyle include these fruits intheir diets. To know more about them, here are some of the many health benefits ofeating pineapples.

1. Packed with Vitamins and MineralsPineapples are loaded with vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, vitamin C,calcium, phosphorus, and potassium. It is also rich in fiber and calories. On top of itall, this fruit is low in fat and cholesterol. All the nutrients it contains promote goodhealth.2. Prevents Cough and ColdsSince pineapples are rich in vitamin C, it can fight off viruses that cause cough andcolds. Even when you are already infected with such ailment, pineapples can helpyou. These fruits have bromelain, which is effective in suppressing coughs andloosening mucus. Eating pineapples while taking the right medications prescribed bythe doctor for your sickness can help you recover more quickly.3. Strengthens BonesPineapples are also popular for their ability to build and maintain strong bones. Thisis because these fruits contain manganese, which is a trace mineral that your bodyneeds to build bones and connective tissues. In fact, if you consume a cup ofpineapple, you can already get 73 percent of your total body requirement formanganese.4. Keeps Gums HealthyPeople are always very concerned with their teeth that they sometimes fail to giveimportance to the gums, which are equally essential since they hold the teeth inplace. If a person has unhealthy gums, his/her teeth would be in bad condition, andeventually will fall out. Eating pineapple will strengthen your gums that will help keepyour teeth healthy and strong.5. Lowers Risk of Macular DegenerationPineapples are known to prevent different kinds of ailments. One example is maculardegeneration. This disease, which is the primary cause of vision loss in adults, iscaused by damage to the retina. Reading, recognizing faces, and doing dailyactivities can become a lot more difficult because of this problem. Includingpineapple in your diet can lower risk of this disease by as much as 36 percent. This isbecause this fruit contains beta carotene that is good for our sense of sight.6. Alleviates ArthritisSince these fruits have anti-inflammatory qualities, eating pineapples can greatlyalleviate the pain of arthritis while at the same time improve the condition bystrengthening the bones. Apart from arthritis, it can also improve other similarconditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and gout.7. Improves DigestionBromelain found in pineapples work to neutralize fluids to ensure that they are nottoo acidic. It also helps regulate the secretions in the pancreas to aid in digestion.Apart from that, since bromelain has protein-digesting properties, it can keep thedigestive track healthy


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AvailabilityWere generally available all year round with our best value being from November toFebruary.

Did you know? We were given our name because an explorer thought we looked like a pine cone European explorers discovered us almost 500 years ago Once picked, we dont get any riper. We become juicier, but not sweeter, oncewere harvested.

VarietiesIn Australia were sold as rough leaf or smooth leaf. Rough leaf - We have a very rough, spiky surface and very sweet juice. Smooth leaf - We are larger and juicier than rough leaf pineapples.

Why Pineapples are Good to Eat We contain an enzyme that can tenderise meat if used in a marinade Were a good source of vitamin C. We a good source of dietary fibre

Were a source of a mineral called manganese. We dont hear a lot aboutmanganese, but its needed by our bones and for the cartilage in joints as well as thebrain. Our natural sugars include mainly sucrose but we also have some fructose andglucose. 100g of our flesh has 180kJ.


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One of the most prized and popular fruits, pineapple or "ananas" has an interesting history to narrate. The

ananas plant is actually native to Paraguay in South America. It spread by the local Indians up through

South and Central America and to the West Indies. Later, it was brought to Spain when Columbusdiscovered Americas in 1493, from where; it spread to rest of the world by the sailors (just like tomatoes)

who carried it for protection from scurvy wherever they went.

Scientifically, it is known as "Ananas comosus"and belongs to the family ofBromeliaceae, of the genus;

Ananas.

Pineapple is a tropical, perennial, drought-tolerant plant that grows up to 5-8 ft in height and spreads

around about three to four ft. It is essentially a short, stout stem with a rosette of waxy long, needle-tippedleaves.

The plant bears several long, oval to cylindrical fruits during each season from March until June.

The fruit is described as compound (multiple) fruit that develops from many small fruits fused together

around the central core. Its pulp is juicy and fleshy with the stem serving as a supporting fibrous core. The

outer rough, tough, scaly rind may be dark green, yellow, orange-yellow or reddish when the fruit is ripe.

Internal juicy flesh may range from creamy white to yellow and has a mix of sweet and tart taste with richflavor. Each fruit measures in size up to 12 inches long and weighs 1 to 8 pounds or more.

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients:

Pineapple (Ananas comosus), Fresh, Nutritive Value per 100g

PrincipleNutrient

ValuePercentage

of RDA

Energy 50 Kcal 2.5%

Carbohydrates 13.52 g 10%

Protein 0.54 g 1%

Total Fat 0.12 g


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Magnesium 12 mg 3%

Manganese 0.927 mg 40%

Phosphorus 8 mg 1%

Selenium 0.1 g

7 health benefits of eating pineapples

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