Pineapple is rich in nutrients, containing many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Science has proven 7 health benefits of pineapple such as strengthening the immune system, slowing down the aging process…

Pineapple is an excellent source of vitamin C. Pineapple is a sweet and refreshing fruit that can help hydrate and provide unique nutrients such as bromelain.

Bromelain is a group of enzymes in the fruit and stem of pineapple that break down proteins. The calories in pineapple are on par with other fruits. In addition, pineapple has many other healthy compounds.

Pineapple Health Benefits

Thanks to the vitamins and minerals in pineapple, it can improve your health while stimulating your taste buds. Pineapple is a sweet and aromatic fruit that has many health benefits. Learn how pineapple can boost your immune system, slow down the aging process with 7 scientifically proven health benefits of pineapple.

1. Bromelain in Pineapple Helps Boost Digestive Health

Since bromelain can break down proteins, it can help ease digestion. It also reduces inflammation in the digestive tract, reducing diarrhea in people with inflammatory bowel disease.

A serving of pineapple provides 2.3 grams of fiber, which can help bulk up stools and ensure regular bowel movements. When you combine fiber and bromelain, they work as a team to promote optimal digestion. Luckily, pineapples contain both.

2. Contains many antioxidants, protecting your heart

Pineapple is rich in antioxidants such as: vitamin C, manganese, bromelain, phenolic acid, flavonoids, … Antioxidants are substances that protect your cells from free radicals – chemical compounds that can play a role in cancer and heart disease.

Some studies show that phenolic acid in pineapple has antibacterial, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects. Meanwhile, flavonoids not only have similar effects but also have the effect of protecting and treating cardiovascular disease.

3. Pineapple helps boost immunity

The vitamin C content in pineapple can also help boost your immune system. Not only can vitamin C prevent certain infections, it can also help treat certain conditions, such as certain respiratory infections and inflammation. The mineral manganese found in pineapple is also beneficial for boosting the immune system. As well as bromelain, which has been linked to helping treat sinusitis and bronchitis.

Pineapple is rich in flavonoids, phenolic acids, and vitamin C – all of which are powerful antioxidants that may help reduce the risk of developing certain chronic diseases and cancers.

4. Soothe a Cough

The bromelain in pineapple may help relieve a cough. While pineapple may not be an effective cough remedy, it may help relieve a sore throat and address some inflammation. Additionally, the hydration it provides can help you feel better when you have a sore throat.

A 2010 review examined natural treatments for tuberculosis and cited pineapple juice as “extremely helpful” in dissolving lung mucus when mixed with a slice of lemon, honey, and salt. This may be due to the anti-inflammatory properties of bromelain.

A glass of pineapple juice with a little honey and a few slices of lemon will help soothe your cough.

5. Boost Bone Health

The high vitamin C content in pineapple is also important for bone health. In fact, a 2020 review found that people who ate foods rich in vitamin C had a significantly lower risk of osteoporosis and a 34% lower rate of hip fractures.

Manganese may also reduce the risk of spinal bone loss in older women when taken with calcium, zinc, magnesium, boron, vitamin D, and copper. A 2004 study found that postmenopausal women who took supplements of this combination had a positive effect on bone density.

Pineapple may have anti-inflammatory properties, making it a good choice for people with conditions like arthritis.

Pineapple contains the anti-inflammatory duo of vitamin C and bromelain, so it may reduce symptoms of swelling, stiffness, and pain caused by arthritis.

6. Eating more pineapple can help prevent skin aging

You can’t stop aging, but you can change how aging affects your skin. Along with its important role in immune health, vitamin C can also protect skin from aging by limiting damage caused by UV exposure. Vitamin C stimulates collagen synthesis and provides antioxidant protection against the effects of UV rays, which can keep your skin firm, less wrinkled, and less dry as you age.”

7. May protect brain health

Bromelain extracted from pineapple stems has been shown to break down select molecules associated with Alzheimer’s disease. This suggests a potential use for the enzyme in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Bromelain found in pineapple has the effect of preventing Alzheimer’s disease.

Notes on eating pineapple

The benefits of eating pineapple outweigh the risks. However, there are situations where you may need to be cautious.

Pineapple is quite acidic, so eating a lot of pineapple can cause some people with acid reflux to avoid heartburn after eating.

Because pineapple is high in fiber, people with digestive problems should not eat too much pineapple. Eating large amounts of fiber-containing foods can also cause some gastrointestinal discomfort, especially if a low-fiber diet is often consumed.

Drug interactions

If you are taking medication, the things you eat or drink can interact with the medication, causing unwanted reactions. For example, the bromelain in pineapple can change the effects of antidepressants and anticonvulsants.

When you get your prescription, ask your doctor or pharmacist what foods or drinks may affect the way the medication works.

Do Diabetics Need to Avoid Pineapple?

Sweet fruits, including pineapple, are high in natural sugars. This makes many people with (or at risk of) diabetes think they should limit this fruit, but that’s not the case. People with diabetes can still eat pineapple. However, you should consult a dietitian about how to calculate the carbs in pineapple and incorporate this fruit into your eating plan in moderation.

Allergy

Pineapple can cause adverse reactions in some people. Reactions include irritation (burning or pain) in the mouth due to pineapple’s bromelain content and acidic pH; oral allergy syndrome (itching or swelling); and, in rare cases, anaphylaxis (wheezing or difficulty breathing).

If you have ever had a reaction to eating pineapple, it is best not to try it again. Mild allergies can be alleviated by sprinkling salt on the pineapple, enjoying it with dairy products, or cooking it in hot dishes. Seek the advice of an allergist if you think you have a pineapple allergy.