Pineapple: Eat It, Stay Sharp, Benefit Your Health

The pineapple is a tropical paradise in your mouth. The Beyonce of fruits, a little extra ounce is worth it. No matter how you slice, slice, slice, juice, grill, or request it in a pizza, pineapple is bursting with flavor and nutritional perks. Therefore, let’s remove some layers and see why this golden fruit is so healthy. For more on nutrient-dense superfoods, visit Health Benefits of Chickpeas.

Pineapple:  Nutritional Information (1 cup)

1. A Tropical Treat Low in Calories

Although a pineapple is sweet like a dessert, it has very few calories. Pineapple bites are not bad at all, but are fairly sweet, considering that you get all the nutrients. One cup of pineapple chunks has about 82 calories. It’s fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low in sodium.  And completely natural (no added sugar necessarily required)

2. Vitamin C 

Vitamin C, your immune system’s best friend, comes in full supply in pineapple. A cup would provide you more than 100% of what your body should be getting each day in Vitamin C. Talk about doing the most!

Vitamin C is very helpful with boosting your immune system, repairing tissues and wounds, firming skin, and keeping skin healthy 

So if you’re trying hard to avoid getting sick and want to look good while doing so, pineapple is ready to back you up.

3. Good for gut health 

Pineapple has bromelian. This natural enzyme helps break proteins in the stomach down to make digestion as smooth as, say, a beach breeze.

Bromelain helps ease bloating, reduce inflammation, and improve digestion.  Bromelain essentially acts as your gut’s assistant, keeping things running smoothly and sorting things out!

4. Anti-Inflammatory Superpowers

Feeling sore after a workout? Got arthritis or joint pain? Pineapple might just help.

Because of its presence of bromelain and antioxidants, pineapple has natural anti-inflammatory properties. A few studies say it can decrease swelling and pain in joints, muscles, and even the sinuses. That’s why it is sometimes recommended after surgery or for chronic inflammation.

Ibuprofen in nature’s way, only way tastier.

5. Supports Your Immune System

Pineapple is not only high in Vitamin C, which will help your immune system too, but bromelain is also good in helping your immune system get down on harmful bacteria and viruses, as well.

Some research suggests that pineapple boosts recovery after illness. It may help with respiratory problems. If you are feeling a bit unwell, perhaps replace that other bowl of chicken soup that you will normally take with a pineapple smoothie.

6. Help with eyesight

Do you want to keep crystal clear eyesight? And pineapple may do the same thing. Beta carotene and vitamin A support healthy vision and are present in it.

Antioxidants in pineapple also fight off damage to your cells from aging and environmental stress effects. Lesser wrinkles and better vision are what you receive by default. 

7. Hydration 

86 percent of the pineapple is water, rendering it a juicy way to artificially step up your water intake, specifically in the warmer months. Staying hydrated keeps your skin soft, boosts your energy level, and improves digestion. It also prevents headaches and fatigue. Next time you get thirsty, if you prefer a snack, reach for some pineapple chunks or juice. Your body will thank you.

8. Packed with Manganese

Now, I know manganese isn’t as eye-catching as vitamin C, but it is a very important VIP in the world of nutrients. Manganese helps build strong bones, regulates blood sugar, supports brain and nerve function, and boosts metabolism.  A cup of pineapple contains about 75 percent of the manganese you need each day. That’s not bad for a fruit that is of a tropical fashion show look.

9. Sweet but Diabetes-Friendly 

As pineapple is sweet naturally, you might assume it is a sugar bomb. The good news is that it may have a moderate glycemic index. Because of that, it does not elevate blood sugar as quickly as processed sweets.

However, a small portion of fresh pineapple is also a justifiable addition to a healthy diet as it contains fiber and water, even for people with diabetes. Just be sure to go for fresh or frozen pineapple, not canned in syrup. It needs to be paired with protein or healthy fat. 

10. Makes Healthy Eating Fun Again

The fact is that some healthy foods taste like cardboard. But not pineapple. Tangy, juicy, and a tropical upgrade of any boring meals you might eat at home.

Enjoy pineapple this way:

• Pineapple salsa: Great with grilled chicken or tacos
• Smoothie: Blend with banana, coconut milk, and spinach
• Sweet, smoky, and great on burgers, grilled pineapple rings
• The third one is pineapple fried rice, which is a delicious Thai-style dish.
• Blend and freeze as a refreshing summer treat 

11. Picking and Storing the Ideal Pineapple

Picking a good pineapple is partly about the science of it, but mostly about a sniff test. Here is how you can find the correct one.

If you are looking for the buds themselves, then you should look for green leaves with a golden yellow skin. It should be slightly soft; give it a gentle squeeze. The bottom should not be sour, it should smell sweet

Once you bring it home, it can be stored on the counter at room temperature (for a few days). Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container after cutting. Canned pineapple doesn’t even compare to the mouth-watering fresh pineapple taste. 

12. Facts about Pineapples 

• It takes a minimum of two years before you can harvest pineapples.
• There is only one pineapple per plant.
• A few decades ago, they were rare, and people rented pineapples to display at parties.
• Many cultures use the pineapple as a symbol of hospitality.
• NASA tested pineapple enzymes in space to help astronauts digest food better.

Conclusion

Pineapples may be prickly on the outside but golden on the inside. They are loaded with Vitamin C, fiber, antioxidants, and enzymes, as well as being full of tropical flavor. It does everything from improving your immunity to aiding in digestion and preventing inflammation. Discover more about the health benefits of tropical fruits and nutrition tips on our comprehensive wellness resource at Beargoal.

The next time you are at the store, may you not ignore the fruit with the prickly crown. Serve it immediately; just cut, slice, blend, or even grill it. Your body and your taste buds will both thank you. To better manage your health, try our helpful online tools like the BMI Calculator, Ideal Body Weight Calculator, and Water Intake Calculator available on our website.