Pineapple powerhouse!
A pineapple is more than just a nice tasting tropical fruit -It is also linked to many health benefits!
They can mostly be found in Latin America and West Africa. In Europe the majority of pineapples in our market come from Costa Rica, which supplies approximately 75% of all the pineapples found in the EU.
When did the pineapple come to the UK?
Always being associated with luxury and prestige due to its exotic appearance, it first appeared in the Britain in 1668, gaining notoriety when Charles 11 used it as a public relations opportunity – at the time England and France were involved in a heated debate over who should own the rights to the island of St Kitts!
Pineapples are a year-round option for us living in the UK, you can find it fresh, frozen, and tinned. There are numerous ways to enjoy this tasty fruit from grilling it to chucking it into a smoothie, but however you prefer to eat it, you will want to pack it into your diet, as the humble pineapple has many health benefits – let’s take a look at some.
5 health benefits of Pineapple
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It is packed full of minerals and vitamins.
Just one cup (140g) of pineapple will give you: –
- Vitamin C – you will get roughly one third of the recommended daily amount of vitamin C, which helps in tissue growth and repair.
- B vitamins – you get a healthy dose of several B vitamins including B6, folate, niacin, and thiamine. These help your body process the energy from the food you eat. They also paly a major role in forming new red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your tissues and organs.
- Fibre – you will get nearly 10% pf your daily fibre needs. Fibre is necessary for gut health and can help stave off hunger!
- Manganese – this helps with bone formation, immune response and metabolism and a pineapple has more than 100% of your recommended daily amount.
- Other minerals – this fruit contains several minerals your body needs for proper function, including magnesium, copper, and potassium.
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Pineapples can help with inflammation.
Inflammation is a natural process that occurs in our bodies to help stave of illness and infections. Too much inflammation can lead to many diseases, including diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. It is the only food known to contain a substance called “bromelain”, an enzyme thought to help your skin and tissues heal. The anti-inflammatory power in bromelain can help fight inflammation and may supress the growth of certain tumours.
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Can boost the immune system.
A study published in 2014 in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism took 98 healthy children who ate either no pineapple, roughly 1 cup or 2 cups of pineapple daily. Those who ate pineapple had a significantly lower risk of viral and bacterial infections. Alongside this it was found that the children eating this fruit has almost four times more disease fighting white blood cells than the other groups! You may just want to reach for a pineapple the next time you feel you are coming down with a cold!!!
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Can promote healthy bones.
The manganese along with calcium found in this fruit is essential for maintaining strong bones. A single cup of pineapple contains about 76% of the recommended daily value of manganese, this may help stave off osteoporosis and helps improve overall bone and mineral density.
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May aid digestion
Pineapples contain a significant amount of fibre, which in itself is associated with better digestion. We have talked about this fruit containing an enzyme called bromelain which may ease the digestion of meat and is thought to break down protein molecules, meaning the small intestine can more easily absorb them. You will often find pineapple served alongside meats and poultry in countries such as Brazil, although there is not enough scientific evidence to say for certain.
Are there any health risks to eating pineapple?
They are not a common allergen and eating them is considered very low risk unless you have a known allergy to this fruit.
However, eating too much – more than a few servings per day – may have unintended side effects. Bromelain may affect blood clotting, so people who are on blood thinners should eat it in moderate amounts.
Those sensitive to bromelain may also experience tongue burning, itching, nausea, or diarrhoea, although these downsides haven’t been studied scientifically.
A final note…….
Pineapples are delicious, versatile and contain many nutrients and antioxidants and although some of its health claims need further study, there is no denying that it is loaded with nutrients that can boost your well-being!
If you would like some further information or to speak to a member of our team please call us on: Hitchin 01462 420077 or Luton 01582 579687, alternatively e-mail us at: hitchin@healesclinics.com or [email address=”luton@healesclinics.com”