How pineapple is useful for the human body – 9 proven facts

Pineapple is a tropical fruit containing many enzymes, vitamins and antioxidants. It is especially appreciated for its high content of vitamin C, manganese and bromelain.

According to research, pineapple is useful for the human body – it is able to strengthen the immune system, improve digestion, increase bone density and even reduce body weight.

Top 9 useful properties of pineapple

Below are the main facts about the health benefits of pineapple, which have been scientifically proven.

1. It has a rich composition

Fresh pineapple has a fairly low energy value – about 136 calories per 100 grams.

Half of an average pineapple (about 330 grams) contains 3.4 grams of fat, 2 grams of protein, 4.6 grams of dietary fiber, as well as the following substances:

It also contains a small amount of calcium, zinc, phosphorus, vitamins K and A.

One of the main advantages of pineapples is the high content of vitamin C and manganese.

Vitamin C is important for ensuring the full growth and development of the body of children, maintaining the immune system, improving the absorption of iron from the intestinal lumen.

Manganese , how claim American scientists, has a pronounced antioxidant potential and regulates metabolism in all tissues.

2. It has an antioxidant effect

Pineapples are rich in antioxidants – special substances that allow you to fight the influence of free radicals, which can not only inhibit the growth of all body cells, but also destroy them.

Iranian Studies identified that the active action of free radicals is associated with chronic inflammation, suppression of the immune system, as well as many common diseases of the endocrine and cardiovascular systems, and malignant neoplasms.

Especially appreciated pineapples contain natural flavonoids and phenolic acids, as they have the most pronounced antioxidant effect.

It is important to note that most antioxidants are in a bound state, which allows them to "survive" harsh conditions (low or high temperatures) and retain their beneficial properties for a long time.

3. Improves digestion

Pineapples contain a special group Digestive enzymes - bromelain.

Bromelain has anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet effects, accelerates regeneration processes in any tissues, and regulates the permeability of the vascular wall. Effects related with the ability to alter the metabolism of arachidonic acid in the human body.

Bromelain in the lumen of the digestive tube functions as a protease – it breaks down complex protein molecules into simple building proteins – peptides and amino acids. In this form, they are much better absorbed and absorbed by the body. This circumstance is especially important for people suffering from pancreatic diseases with a decrease in exocrine function.

In one of the foreign studies it was installed that bromelain significantly improves the general condition of patients suffering from various pathologies of the pancreas.

4. Fights against malignant neoplasms

Numerous studies show that eating pineapple not only helps reduce the risk of developing cancer, but also leads to the reverse development of tumor processes.

For example, Italian scientists installed that bromelain has an antiproliferative and apoptotic effect on malignant cells located in the wall of the large intestine.

Experts from the USA have identified that pineapple suppresses the growth of breast tumor cells, causes their death, accelerates recovery by stimulating the proliferation of connective tissue in the lesion.

There is also evidence of efficacy in the prevention and treatment of cancers of the skin, gallbladder, stomach, pancreas.

5. Strengthens the immune system

Tropical fruits contain a lot of vitamins, mineral components and enzymes that provide regulatory effect on the immune system.

Systematic addition of the product to the diet strengthens the immune system and increases the body's resistance to various external pathogens (viruses, fungi, bacteria, etc.).

According to studies conducted in the Philippines, children who regularly consume pineapples have a lower incidence of viral and bacterial infectious and inflammatory diseases.

Works of German scientists show that pineapple not only prevents the appearance of infectious processes in the body, but also significantly accelerates recovery with existing ones.

6. Reduces the severity of arthritis symptoms

Arthritis affects about 10-15% of the world's population. There are many variants of this deviation, most of them are based on inflammatory damage to the articular apparatus.

Foreign studies demonstrate that bromelain, which is part of exotic fruits, has pronounced anti-inflammatory properties, helps relieve arthritis pain.

At the same time, the strength of the effect comparable with some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, diclofenac) and even exceeds them.

7. Accelerates the recovery of the body after surgery or active training

The positive effect in this case is also associated with bromelain. Researches demonstrate that this substance is able to reduce the activity of inflammation, eliminate swelling and bruising, and reduce the severity of pain after surgery.

Pineapple accelerates restoration of muscle tissues after active physical exertion, not only improving metabolism, but also reducing the severity of the inflammatory reaction in the surrounding tissues.

American specialists revealed The fact that the inclusion of bromelain supplements in the diet of athletes leads to a significant reduction in pain and fatigue, allows achieving more pronounced athletic results.

8. Increases bone strength

Proven that regular consumption of pineapple provides prevention of early development of osteoporosis (decrease in bone density), which can lead to the formation of fractures.

This circumstance is especially important for the elderly and menopausal women. The effect is presumably associated with a high content of manganese.

This trace element normalizes metabolism in bone tissue, Strengthens bones and accelerates the processes of their mineralization.

9. Pineapple is effective for weight loss

For the purpose of weight loss, scientists recommend include pineapple in the diet.

The fruit is rich in fiber, which is necessary to support digestive processes and inhibit chronic inflammation. It is the latter that is associated with excessive fat deposition.

An important role is reserved and antioxidants. They slow down the processes of adipogenesis and fat accumulation.

And bromelain promotes a more efficient breakdown of adipose tissue cells in order to obtain energy.

Possible harm and contraindications

Pineapple is an extremely useful product, but under certain circumstances it can cause significant harm to the body. You should not eat the fruit in such conditions:

1. The presence of increased individual sensitivity for individual product components. Allergies to this fruit are quite common and can manifest themselves in different ways: from banal itching to anaphylactic shock.
2. Taking medications that reduce blood viscosity. Tropical fruit has a pronounced anticoagulant effect . When taken together, bleeding may develop.
3. Kidney failure. Pineapple is rich in potassium, which is practically not excreted from the body with impaired kidney function. Hyperkalemia can trigger a seizure and lead to cardiac arrest.
4. GERD and any acute or exacerbations chronic diseases of the digestive system.

Side effects include:

• Allergic reactions;
• Dyspeptic disorders (abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea);
• Headaches;
• Feeling of irritation or burning of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity.

Is it possible during pregnancy?

Pineapple should not be included in the diet of women during pregnancy. Despite its rich composition (almost all elements are necessary for the harmonious growth and development of the fetus), it can provoke miscarriage, prenatal discharge of amniotic fluid, and lead to detachment of the normally located placenta. The negative effect is associated with an increase in uterine tone.

But when planning a pregnancy, it is quite acceptable to use fruit.

Answers to questions

The most controversial aspects of pineapple consumption are discussed below:

1. Are canned pineapples useful? Yes! They contain almost the same amount of valuable nutrients and have a lower calorie content. But avoid store-bought versions of pineapples in jars with sugar syrup. Excess sugar levels out all the medicinal properties.
2. Is it worth eating dried fruits and candied fruits? Dried pineapples also retain an almost similar composition compared to fresh ones, they are rich in bromelain and fiber. However, prolonged use can cause irritation of the mucous membranes of the oral cavity and various parts of the digestive system. But candied pineapple should be discarded due to its high sugar content.
3. Is it possible to eat the core? Eating pineapple core is not recommended. The middle part is rich in vitamins and minerals, but has a fibrous structure that causes mechanical damage to the mucous membranes of the oral cavity.
4. Is juice useful? Yes! Pineapple juice has a higher content of proteolytic enzymes and vitamins. However, its consumption should be clearly normalized – no more than 100 ml per day.
5. Is it possible to eat at night? No. The pulp of the fetus, as already mentioned, is an extraactive substance that causes damage to the mucous membranes of the stomach and duodenum. Eating pineapples at night, especially right before going to bed, can lead to an exacerbation of chronic pathologies of the digestive system.
6. Application of essential oil. Pineapple essential oil is widely used in industrial cosmetology and folk medicine. It has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, accelerates the regeneration of the skin. There is a decrease in wrinkles and an increase in the elasticity of the skin with regular use.

Conclusion

1. Pineapple is a delicious, low–calorie product containing a lot of enzymes, vitamins, antioxidants and other substances useful for the human body.
2. Regular consumption of tropical fruit improves the course of digestive processes, strengthens the immune system, helps to reduce body weight, prevents many diseases from the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and endocrine systems. There is a positive effect on malignant neoplasms.
3. It is recommended to include the product in the diet only after studying the possible range of contraindications and side effects.