This delicious tropical fruit is not only good to eat but has amazing health benefits that few people really know about. Most of it is due to an enzyme that is in pineapple known as bromelain. This enzyme is a powerhouse when it comes to health.
The bromelain in pineapple is one of the best anti-inflammatories you will find. It can help with things like arthritis, inflammation in muscles and inflammation throughout the body. Studies are showing that it has fantastic potential when it comes to health issues such as osteoarthritis, tumors (cancer is serious inflammation) and other health problems related to inflammation. It is known to help with the pain of gout.
Pineapple has Vitamin C which is definitely a plus during cold and flu season but the benefits extend to reducing allergies, again by relieving the inflammation in the sinus and mucous areas. Pineapple can help reduce coughing and is amazing when it comes to clearing up sinus infections and bronchial issues. In Japan in has been used to treat bird flu and often works better than many antibiotics out there.
The bromelain in pineapple is also beneficial in breaking down protein when taken, or eaten, with food. This means better digestion and absorption of food which alone provides many health benefits. A great many problems can be traced back to poor digestion
Due to the high Vitamin C content, bromelain and other antioxidants in pineapple in it can aid in good eye health and help you stay healthy overall. The antioxidants can also help the body deal with the toxins and stress that everyone deals with on a daily basis, another great reason to include pineapple in your diet.
Because the bromelain in pineapple does break down protein it can naturally help prevent blood clots and help keep your blood thin and flowing. Those on blood thinners will want to watch their pineapple intake and be careful not to overdo it.
Need another reason to eat more pineapple? How about Manganese? This treace mineral is crucial to bone health and preventing osteoporosis. Eating pineapple each day can provide you with 75% of the daily recommended amount of manganese.
As with any thing there are precautions you need to take. Pineapple is a meat tenderizer so eating a lot at one time can cause your mouth to be tender and sore but that goes away quickly. As stated above it is a natural blood thinner so if you are on anticoagulants or blood thinners you may want to limit your intake. Fresh pineapple has an abundance of Vitamin C which can cause things like diarrhea if eaten in large quantities.
