Pineapple Health Benefits

Some of the other valuable nutrients present in pineapple are as follows:

• Vitamin C
• Manganese
• Fiber
• Vitamin B6
• Copper
• Folate
• Vitamin B1

As mentioned above, the enzyme present in the pineapple, bromelain, has numerous health benefits. The enzyme has been used in the treatment of inflammatory diseases for years. It aids in digestion, curbs inflammation, reduces blood clots, and is helpful in healing arthritis, sinusitis, and gout. In a study published in the Journal of Infectious Diseases, it was found that stem bromelain can be helpful in the treatment of mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Listed below are some of the popular uses and benefits of pineapples.

Anti-oxidant properties: Pineapple is rich in Vitamin C, one of the strongest and most effective anti-oxidant.

Rich mineral source: Pineapple is an excellent source of the trace mineral manganese. The presence of manganese in the human body is minimal. Manganese helps in maintaining healthy bone structure, thyroid function, and blood sugar levels. Manganese is also helpful in proper absorption of calcium in the body. Deficiency of manganese can cause severe health problems. It can lead to infertility and osteoporosis in women. Low manganese levels may also lead to heart and pancreatic complications. Moreover, some studies have indicated that manganese could help boost male fertility. Pineapple also contains Vitamin B1 or thiamine, which benefits the nervous system and promotes healthy skin and hair. It also helps in energy build up in the body.

Weight loss help: Pineapple is a good substitute for sweet and high calorie deserts. It is one of the sweetest fruits with fewer calories and no saturated fats or cholesterol. It is also a rich source of soluble fiber.
Prevent macular degeneration: Pineapple contains a good amount of beta carotene that aids in the prevention of macular degeneration, the most common factor for loss of vision in adults.

Pineapple and pregnancy: Pineapple contains folate. Folic acid is known to prevent birth defects. However, eating pineapple during pregnancy may cause heavy bleeding; also, pineapple juice may shoot up the blood sugar levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes. Old tales advocate pineapple juice for pregnant women in order to cause labor in the last month of pregnancy. It is believed that presence of the enzyme bromelain in the pineapple could dilate cervix, but there is little scientific evidence to back the claim. Hence, it is very important to consult the obstetrician before making pineapple juice a part of your pregnancy diet.

Dried Pineapple

Pineapple extract is widely used in many dietary supplements to facilitate digestion, yet, as with any other fruits, there are some disadvantages of preserved or dried pineapple vis-à-vis fresh pineapple.

While nutrient rich fresh pineapple is available through March to June, the canned and the dried variety are available throughout the year. An advantage of dried pineapple is that it can be consumed throughout the year. Moreover, drying is an age-old method to prevent the foods from spoilage. Some of the nutrients available in dried pineapple are as follows:

• Calcium
• Potassium
• Fiber

However, drying may cause the fruit to lose considerable amount of vitamins, especially vitamin C.