Pineapple: healthy properties and benefits of this tropical fruit

After the banana, the pineapple is one of the fruits most chosen by people around the world, given that it has a pleasant sweet taste and a very pleasant aroma.

Pineapple or pineapple is a tropical fruit that has a pleasant aroma and flavor. Therefore, it is enjoyed in various ways and combined with all kinds of ingredients (not just fruits). Juicy, tasty and refreshing, it contains various vitamins, minerals, fiber and digestive enzymes that make it a very healthy food.

Pineapple cultivation

The plant is not very tall, it has hard, lanceolate leaves up to one meter long and it only bears fruit once every three years. In addition, it produces a fruit so appreciated that it is the second most widespread crop in South America (second only to plantain).

Most of it is consumed in the production area and the rest is canned in syrup for export.

For its production it favors a tropical climate. The main producing countries are Brazil, Costa Rica, China, the Philippines, India and Thailand with more than 50% of world production. The most cultivated pineapple species is smooth Cayenne, original from French Guiana.

Nutritional contribution

Pineapple has a large amount of vitamin C, in addition to B1, B2, B3, B6, B9 and E. It also contains minerals such as Potassium, Magnesium, Iodine, Copper and Manganese. It also has citric acid, malic acid, oxalic acid and the enzyme bromelain.

It is rich in fiber and has few calories. It only provides 50 calories per 100 grams, although in syrup this amount can be increased due to the amount of sugar used for its conservation.

Pineapple is a fruit that, in addition to helping hydrate the body, can satisfy the appetite when consumed whole, naturally.

Healthy properties

Consuming vitamin C would be beneficial in protecting us from viruses and bacteria.  Due to the high dose of vitamin C present in pineapple, its consumption could protect us against infections, such as otitis or colds.

It has a high contribution of vitamins B1 and B6, vital for the proper functioning of muscles, heart, nervous system and immune system. The manganese that it provides helps the connective tissues and bones, the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates, as well as the absorption of calcium and regulate blood sugar.

Bromelain benefits

Many beneficial properties are associated with bromelain, which is contained in pineapple in large quantities. This enzyme would help in the digestion of proteins, reducing discomfort such as acidity, gases or inflammation. In addition, it would also help to extract better nutrients from food.

In different laboratory tests, bromelain has been shown to have some utility in combating breast cancer and skin cancer cells. Of course, there are still many hypotheses to test and further study is needed to determine if bromelain could really help in the fight against cancer.

As you can see, including pineapple in your diet can be beneficial for your health. Of course, remember that food is not a treatment against diseases. If you suffer from any disease, you should go to your doctor to receive the recommendations that suit your needs.