Speaking of its health benefits, pineapple is largely praised for its power to reduce joint and muscle inflammation, including arthritis associated inflammation.
Arthritis is a debilitating disease and millions of people worldwide struggle with it. Pineapple contains bromelain, a rare proteolytic enzyme. It breaks down complex proteins and provides strong anti-inflammatory properties. Scientific studies have shown that bromelain can also and relieve symptoms of arthritis.
Immune system
A single serving of pineapple provides about 130% of the recommended daily dose of vitamin C, meaning it is one of the most abundant and most delicious sources of ascorbic acid. Vitamin C has a wide range of benefits.
It helps in treating diseases and stimulates the activity of white blood cells, thus boosting immunity, acts as an antioxidant and reduces the effect of harmful free radicals.
These are actually a byproduct of cellular metabolism and have the potency to harm vital systems in the body and affect their function. Free radicals are responsible for the conversion of healthy cells into cancerous. High vitamin C content in pineapples provides an amazing protection against such effect.
Tissue and cellular health
Vitamin C is often disregarded when it comes to this issue, but it has an essential role in collagen production. Collagen is an essential protein base of blood vessels, skin, organs and bones. Vitamin C level in pineapples improves wound healing and protects against diseases and infections.
Cancer
Pineapples are directly associated with oral, throat and breast cancer. Apart from being abundant in vitamin C, pineapples are also rich in a variety of antioxidants, including vitamin A, beta carotene, bromelain, certain flavonoid compound and large amounts of manganese, an essential co-factor of superoxide dismutase, known to be a potent mean against free radicals. As we already explained, free radicals trigger a devastating number of diseases.
Digestion
Pineapples are rich in fiber, but what is even more interesting, they contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Regular consumption of pineapples helps in protecting against many health conditions, like constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, atherosclerosis, blood clotting and hypertension.
Fiber helps food pass through the digestive tract, and also enhances the release of both gastric and digestive juices that dissolve food. Moreover, fiber aids in treating diarrhea and IBS. It removes excess cholesterol from blood vessels and eliminates from the body, which is of essential importance when it comes to improving cardiovascular health.
Cough and cold
Apart from the power of vitamin C to boost immunity, bromelain also reduces phlegm and mucus in the respiratory tract and sinus cavities which appears as a result of a disease of an infection.
Bone health
Pineapples are not rich in calcium, which is associated with strong bone health, but they are super rich in manganese, which is a trace mineral that is essential for bone health, growth and repair. Pineapples are the richest source in manganese, and a single serving of this fruit provides about 70% of the recommended daily intake of magnesium.
Oral health
In combination with the antioxidants that protect against oral cancer, pineapples have powerful astringent properties, which help in strengthening gums and protecting teeth. Astringents tighten up bodily tissues and prevent tooth and hair loss, muscle weakness and loose skin. Pineapples are mighty astringents and they are commonly prescribed as a natural remedy for loose teeth and gum retraction.
Eyes
Pineapples are amazing for your eyes, considered as one of the vital senses of living beings. Pineapples are directly associated with eye health, and they also prevent age-related issues. Elderly people are often affected by macular regeneration, and beta carotene in pineapples helps in preventing this issue.
Blood pressure
Pineapples are an amazing source of minerals, especially potassium. It is considered as an essential mineral for the body, and potassium deficiency is the root cause of many health problems.
Potassium is also a vasodilator, meaning it reduces blood vessel tension and stress, and thus stimulates blood circulation in different parts of the body. Blood pressure is pretty low in relaxed blood vessels, and blood flow is also less constrained.
This prevents clotting, and thus clots cannot block blood flow. Moreover, it also decreases plaque buildup in blood vessels. To be more precise, this beneficial effect helps in preventing atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke.
Blood circulation
And last but not least, pineapples also give the body enough copper, which is another essential mineral that participates in many enzymatic processes in the body, including the creation of red blood cells.
High red blood cell count improves the supply of oxygen to vital organs in the body and thus enables their proper function. Furthermore, this stimulates one’s cognitive abilities and maintains neural pathways. This prevents certain neural disorders, like dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Note:
Aside from all the good benefits provided by pineapples, there are certain things you should be aware of. Bromelain is also known for its ability to tenderize meat, which means it stimulates the dissolving of tough food.
However, if you eat too much pineapple, you might experience tenderness or sensitivity of your lips, gums, and tongue. Same as vitamin C, excessive consumption of bromelain may cause vomiting, diarrhea, headache, and nausea.
Furthermore, bromelain also stimulates menstrual cycle, and pregnant women should be especially careful regarding their pineapple intake. In some cases, high levels of bromelain may lead to miscarriage.
Sources:www.naturalcuresandhomeremedies.com
www.healthadvisorgroup.com
after-you-find-out-what-pineapples-can-do-you-will-never-stop-eating-them/