Pineapple, or Ananas comosus, is an exotic and delicious fruit that easily satisfies consumers’ taste buds.
The delicious fruit is widely consumed in freshly cut form, but some people eat it in baked, sauteed, blended, and grilled form.
The fruit contains numerous nutrients, including Vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, that make pineapple an excellent option for staying healthy.
These beneficial nutrients offer several health benefits, including improved digestion, immunity, etc. This article covers a list of several potential health benefits of consuming pineapple.
Benefits Of Pineapple
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May Improve Digestion
Pineapples are widely preferred due to their digestive properties. People who consume a few pineapple slices after meals may improve their digestion.
It consists of a beneficial enzyme[1] called bromelain that helps digest protein-rich meals. Hence, people use pineapple slices in dishes to tenderize the meat.
Moreover, the enzyme could help lower the cytokine, an inflammatory cell that ruptures or disrupts the digestive tract lining.
Besides the fruit, the pineapple stem is another rich source of bromelain; hence, you should extract the enzyme to consume it as a supplement. The delicious fruit may also benefit people struggling with constipation.
The fruit has a higher fiber and water content that helps with the smooth passage of the stool. Additionally, fiber slows the digestion process and improves the absorption of vital nutrients.
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May Prevent Certain Cancers
Bromelain, a particular enzyme primarily found in pineapple, has a significant role in preventing cancers.
Chronic inflammation and oxidative[2] stress are the primary reasons for developing cancers. Here, bromelain may help lower oxidative stress and inflammation, reducing the risk of developing cancer.
Bromelain may help kill or damage the developed cancer cells, suppressing the condition’s severity.
The enzyme boosts white blood cell function by stimulating the immune system to produce different molecules. These WBCs may help to stop the growth and kill cancer cells.
Raw pineapples contain less bromelain compared to bromelain supplements. Hence, you may consider them to stay away from cancer.
But, advanced human studies would be required to identify the effectiveness of the enzyme on humans.
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Rich In Antioxidants
Pineapple contains several essential antioxidants, including Vitamin C, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds.
Most pineapple antioxidants are bound antioxidants; hence, they have an extended[3] impact on the body.
These antioxidants could help reduce oxidative stress caused due to high free radical concentration in the body.
Hence, it protects against cellular damage that may lead to severe conditions like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc.
Vitamin C may have an additional role as it helps induce growth and boost the immune system.
Primarily, Vitamin C is beneficial in improving dietary iron absorption, which is essential for different bodily functions. Moreover, it allows for faster healing of wounds and cuts.
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May Strengthen Bones
Several minerals, including calcium, manganese, phosphorus, etc., significantly boost bone strength.
Pineapple contains various beneficial minerals in varying concentrations[1] that may aid bone and tooth strength.
Pineapple is one of the richest sources of manganese, an essential element for bones. Manganese could help boost mineral density and bone tissue formation to improve strength.
Moreover, optimum manganese intake may help avoid conditions like osteoporosis or reduce symptoms in osteoporosis patients.
Besides manganese, calcium is another vital mineral for the skeleton, especially teeth. The teeth’ hard outer covering enamel is made up of calcium phosphate.
Hence, supplying the body with optimum calcium may help boost the teeth’ strength.
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May Help Lose Weight
Pineapple is a magical fruit for people aiming to lose weight. The fruit contains numerous nutrients to keep the body metabolically active and boost weight loss.
Moreover, it offers low-calorie, soluble, and insoluble fibers that are vital for losing weight. The soluble and insoluble[4] fibers are beneficial to slow down digestion and keep the stomach full for longer periods, thus, controlling an individual’s appetite.
The proteolytic enzyme breaks the proteins and aids muscle growth. Moreover, it keeps you fit for regular workouts by curing muscle soreness and inflammation.
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May Reduce Symptoms Of Arthritis
Arthritis is a bone disorder primarily experienced by older people. People who suffer from arthritis experience severe joint pain and immobility due to chronic inflammation.
Moreover, regular pineapple consumption[5] may ease lower back pain in people suffering from osteoarthritis.
Besides easing pain, bromelain could help reduce cartilage tissue degradation observed in osteoarthritis patients. Moreover, it boosts collagen tissue formation, helps minimize joint stress, and improves mobility.
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May Boost Energy
Pineapple could help instantly boost an individual’s energy. Eating a few pineapple slices after a tiring day may restore your energy levels and keep you active.
Pineapples contain Vitamin B6, which is responsible for stabilizing blood sugar levels. It also contains minerals[6] like manganese, thiamin, and copper, which boost an individual’s energy production.
Vitamin C also plays a significant role in boosting energy levels. People consuming pineapple get sufficient Vitamin C that stimulates norepinephrine essential for improving energy and attentiveness.
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May Keep Your Skin Healthy
A few pineapple slices daily could boost an individual’s skin health and avoid skin rashes, acne, etc. The fruit contains optimum Vitamin C and other antioxidants that naturally protect the skin.
Its antioxidant properties may protect[7] the skin against free radicals and reduces oxidative stress. Pineapple also contains sufficient water that helps keep the skin hydrated and glowing.
Moreover, it prevents sunburns and uneven skin tone due to extended sunlight exposure. Pineapple has alpha-hydroxy acid that helps delay cell death, preventing acne growth.
Delayed cell death helps avoid wrinkled skin, thus, extending the aging process. Pineapple juice could be more helpful than pineapple slices for skin health.
You may consider applying the juice over the skin and letting it dry before rinsing.
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May Enhance Recovery
Pineapple could be a suitable fruit to consume after surgery. The fruit is believed to be beneficial in fastening recovery and avoiding surgery-related side effects.
Bromelain’s anti-inflammatory properties[8] may help reduce inflammation, bruising, swelling, and pain experienced after surgeries.
Moreover, the enzyme is believed to reduce inflammatory markers causing severe inflammation and pain.
The enzyme boosts muscle recovery by reducing inflammation near the damaged muscles. The protease enzyme easily breaks the protein to be used for muscle formation.
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May Improve Eye Health
Pineapple may help older people to avoid vision loss and delay macular degeneration. Pineapples contain beta-carotene, an essential pigment that the body converts into Vitamin A.
The vitamin helps lubricate the cornea preventing macular degeneration. Besides Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and E are necessary to avoid age-related vision loss.
The high Vitamin C and bromelain content could help avoid cataracts and floaters. People consuming Vitamin C via pineapple prevent their eyes against free radicals and avoid cataract formation on the lens.
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May Improve Sexual Health
Pineapple may boost male and female fertility. Men struggling with erection problems may observe improvement after regularly consuming pineapple.
Pineapple contains nutrients like zinc, folate, copper, etc., significantly boosting the blood flow to the penis and thus supporting penis health.
The delicious fruit could also boost female fertility and promote embryo implantation. Bromelain’s presence in the fruit is considered to help improve female fertility.
Bromelain’s anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant properties could help improve the uterine lining and increase blood flow to the uterus, offering better endometrium conditions for implantation.
Moreover, consuming pineapple before ovulation may change the vaginal and cervical pH to acidic, an optimum pH for sperm survival.
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May Boost Hair Health
Pineapple may help you get a healthy scalp and hair. The high antioxidant content, especially Vitamin C, may help boost scalp and hair health.
Moreover, the antioxidant helps heal damaged hair or split ends that lead to hair loss. People consuming pineapples get sufficient nutrients required to nourish the hair follicles and roots.
Besides improving hair quality, the fruit helps improve scalp conditions like dermatitis, eczema, and psoriasis.
The anti-inflammatory properties prevent fungal growth and reduce inflammation-related itching. Moreover, applying pineapple juice to the scalp may hydrate and instantly minimize itch.
Conclusion
Pineapple is a tropical fruit widely consumed worldwide for its taste and health benefits. As mentioned in the above article, the nutrient-rich fruit offers several health benefits.
Hence, you may go through these benefits to get a brief knowledge of the benefits and a reason to add pineapples to your diet.
References/Sources
Working4Health prefers using primary and verified references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and our primary references include peer-reviewed researcand h, academic, and medical institution studies.
- Rajendra Pavan, Sapna Jain, Shraddha, et. al. Properties and Therapeutic Application of Bromelain: A Review. Biotechnol Res Int. 2012; 2012: 976203. Published online 2012 Dec 10. doi: 10.1155/2012/976203
- Precious Takondwa Makondi, Po-Li Wei, Tung-Cheng Chang, et. al. Bromelain inhibits the ability of colorectal cancer cells to proliferate via activation of ROS production and autophagy. PLoS One. 2019; 14(1): e0210274. Published online 2019 Jan 18. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0210274
- Pineapple, raw, all varieties. Date of Publication: April 1, 2019. Available from: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169124/nutrients
- Samir A. El-Shazly, Mohamed M. Ahmed, Mohammad S. AL-Harbi, et. al. Physiological and molecular study on the anti-obesity effects of pineapple (Ananas comosus) juice in male Wistar rat. Food Sci Biotechnol. 2018 Oct; 27(5): 1429–1438. Published online 2018 Apr 11. doi: 10.1007/s10068-018-0378-1
- Sarah Brien, George Lewith, Ann Walker, et. al. Bromelain as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis: a Review of Clinical Studies. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2004 Dec; 1(3): 251–257. Published online 2004 Oct 6. doi: 10.1093/ecam/neh035
- Pawel Hikisz and Joanna Bernasinska-Slomczewska. Beneficial Properties of Bromelain. Nutrients. 2021 Dec; 13(12): 4313. Published online 2021 Nov 29. doi: 10.3390/nu13124313
- Bromelain. Date of Update: May 2020. Available from: https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/bromelain
- Vidhya Rathnavelu, Noorjahan Banu Alitheen, Subramaniam Sohila, et. al. Potential role of bromelain in clinical and therapeutic applications. Biomed Rep. 2016 Sep; 5(3): 283–288. Published online 2016 Jul 18. doi: 10.3892/br.2016.720
- About the Author
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Alisha Matthew has been a practicing nutritionist since 2016. She holds a master’s degree in nutrition from the University of IOWA. She is a staunch believer in improving the human health index by educating people about nutrition and the importance of nutrition in leading a healthy and happy life. Her long-term goal is to keep educating people on general health and keep herself updated with the latest trends in the field of health.