7 Science-Backed Reasons To Eat More Pineapple
According to the World Atlas, pineapple is the second most popular fruit in the world, after bananas. And there’s a good reason for that.
Pineapple is not only delicious, but it’s also packed with health benefits.
Here are seven science-backed reasons to eat more pineapple.
It aids in the digestion of food:
One of the most well-known advantages of pineapple is its ability to aid digestion. Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples, is a gastrointestinal (GI) miracle worker.
According to Amy Shapiro, RD, CDN, founder of Real Nutrition, the fiber and bromelain in pineapple work together to create a healthy functioning digestive tract.
The fiber aids in the movement of things, while the bromelain can aid in the reduction of any irritation in the stomach lining.
According to Shapiro, researchers at Duke University used active bromelain enzymes to treat animals with colitis and found that long-term treatment reduced inflammation throughout the colon.
It may aid in the treatment of arthritis:
Bromelain doesn’t simply help with inflammation; according to Rueven, it can also help with pain linked with chronic inflammatory illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis.
Patients who took an oral supplement with bromelain for six weeks reported less arthritis pain than those who used an NSAID for pain relief, according to a 2004 study published in Clinical Rheumatology.
It can increase serotonin levels:
Eating pineapple daily may help your body and mind feel better. (And no, it’s not because your happy hour cocktail was served in a pineapple hollowed out!)
“The amino acid tryptophan is abundant in pineapple. “This amino acid is needed to generate serotonin, one of our most important mood-boosting neurotransmitters,” Shapiro explains.
Serotonin levels, especially when too low, play a role in various mental illnesses, including sadness and anxiety.
In comparison to tricyclic antidepressants, much research suggests that tryptophan supplementation can be an effective depression treatment.
(Of course, if you're suffering from a mental illness, the solution isn't as straightforward as eating more pineapple.) If you have any health-related questions, you should always seek medical advice.)
It can boost the health of your bones and joints:
Pineapple has a lot of manganese in it when it’s raw. This mineral may aid in the prevention of bone loss in osteoporosis sufferers.
In addition, when coupled with other supplements, manganese may help patients with osteoarthritis feel less pain.
Research published in the journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage in 2000 found that patients who took a combination of glucosamine, chondroitin, and manganese improved their symptoms more than those who took a placebo.
A 2008 study published in the Annals of the Academy of Medicine discovered a relationship between manganese and spinal bone loss in osteoporotic women after menopause.
It can assist you in healing more quickly:
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, studies in humans and animals reveal that applying bromelain, the wonder enzyme found in pineapples, to the skin can help burns heal faster.
According to a 2016 study published in Biomedical Reports, some data suggests that bromelain may be effective for soft tissue injuries, notably muscular soreness after exercise and bruising.
It can help to boost your immune system:
“Pineapple is a fantastic approach to meet your vitamin C needs on a daily basis. “
One cup of sliced pineapple delivers 131 percent of your daily needs,” Shapiro explains.
That, according to Reuven, is absolutely nothing to sneeze at. Vitamin C improves your immune system and contributes to creating collagen in your body. Collagen is the protein that keeps your skin, joints, and muscles healthy and supple.
It’s chock-full of antioxidants:
Pineapples are high in flavonoids, which are antioxidants. These compounds have reduced the severity of various chronic health and age-related illnesses, including asthma and heart disease.
Flavonoids may assist in reducing inflammation in the central nervous system, according to a 2008 analysis in the British Journal of Nutrition; similarly, a 2013 review in the Journal of Nutrition and Biochemistry reveals flavonoids may aid in stabilizing glucose levels and improve insulin resistance.
How to eat: Pineapple Consumption:
Pineapple can be consumed at any time of day.
Here are some fun ways to incorporate pineapple into your meals:
Breakfast: Add fresh or frozen pineapple to smoothies, bake healthy carrot muffins with it, or just serve a one-cup portion alongside your favorite breakfast cereal.
Lunch: Serve finely sliced pineapple on a grilled chicken sandwich, pineapple salsa on pork tenderloin, or a pineapple BBQ veggie burger.
Dinner: Toss sliced pineapple with homemade fried rice, add pineapple chunks to your favorite shish kebab dish, or grill it for fish tacos.
Conclusion:
Pineapple is an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and manganese. It also contains bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme with anti-inflammatory and digestive properties.
Pineapple is a great addition to any diet thanks to its many health benefits.
So, pick up some pineapple next time you’re at the grocery store. You won’t regret it!