Health benefits of pineapples

10 health benefits of pineapples every day

With its tuft of spiky, dusty green leaves and cross-hatched, golden orange skin, the pineapple has a distinctive appearance. A single pineapple is, in fact, a collection of multiple fruits; each one is the fruit of an individual blossom. Available year-round in local markets, pineapples have a vibrant tropical flavor that balances the tastes of sweet and tart.

Today, pineapple can be commonly found in any grocery store and in many homes all-around the world. In Central and South America, pineapple is not only valued for its sweet taste - it has been used for centuries to treat digestion problems and inflammation.

Health Benefits Of Pineapples:

Pineapples are loaded with vitamin A and C, fiber, potassium, phosphorous and calcium. They offer a wide range of health benefits, some of them are explained below:

1. Prevents Free Radical Damage:

Pineapples are a rich source of antioxidants. They fight against free radicals in the body, preventing cell damage. These antioxidants help protect you from diseases like atherosclerosis, heart diseases, arthritis, various cancers etc.

2. Thwarts Off Cold:

Pineapples are abundant in vitamin C and bromelain , which fight against microbial infections. Eating pineapples with the prescribed medicines can help cure cold and cough effectively.

3. Strong Bones:

Rich amount of manganese present in pineapples helps in strengthening bones and connective tissues . A cup of pineapple juice gives you roughly 73% of the required manganese for a day.

4. Healthy Gums:

Eating pineapple benefits in strengthening your gums, keeping your teeth healthy and strong

5. Macular Degeneration:

Macular degeneration is a condition in which adults lose their vision, making difficult for them to read and recognize things properly. Beta-carotene present in pineapples empowers vision and should be consumed regularly for eye health .

6. Anti-inflammatory Action:

Pineapple fruit is very much known for its anti-inflammatory properties which prevent inflammation in arthritis patients and gives strength to the bones .

7. Cures Sinusitis, Sore Throat, Gout, Swellings:

Pineapples are a great source of bromelain which help prevent sinusitis. Pineapples are also effective in curing sore throat, gout and swellings

8. Anti-cancer Properties:

The abundance of antioxidants in pineapples helps fight against free radicals. This halts the process of cell damage, preventing several types of cancers

9. Atherosclerosis:

Free radicals cause atherosclerosis which can be easily prevented by antioxidants in pineapples .

10. Heart Health:

Powerful antioxidants keep free radicals away and lower the cholesterol levels, preventing heart diseases. Include other heart healthy foods too for a healthy heart.

11. Immunity:

Vitamin C in pineapple boosts your immune system due to its strong antioxidant effect. Here is another excellent post to know more about vitamin C rich foods.

12. Digestion:

Bromelain, vitamin C and dietary fiber are abundantly present in pineapples which promote digestion .

13. Bronchitis:

Pineapple is known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It helps in reducing inflammation in bronchial tubes which generally arises due to bronchitis.

14. Catarrh:

It is a disorder of inflammation of the mucous membranes in one of the airways or cavities of the body. This disorder can be prevented by eating pineapples regularly (14).

15. Prevents Hypertension:

If you’re suffering from high blood pressure and trying to prevent it, you might want to consider the pineapple diet for hypertension (15). Higher amounts of potassium and lower amounts of sodium in pineapples help maintain normal blood pressure levels.

16. Treats Intestinal Worms:

Pineapple contains the digestive enzyme bromelain. A diet rich in pineapple helps clear certain intestinal parasites such as tapeworms (16).

17. Relieves Nausea:

A key benefit from pineapple juice intake is that it averts nausea or morning sickness (17). This is quite useful for pregnant women who usually experience nausea. It also helps people who are looking to go on airplane trips that usually cause motion sickness.

Benefits of Pineapple for Skin and Hair:

Read on to know some interesting details about the good pineapple:

18. Effective Solution for Acne:

The presence of Vitamin C enables this fruit to be used, internally as well as externally, as a cure for acne and other inflammatory skin condition (18). Bromelain, the anti-inflammatory enzyme in this fruit, boosts up the healing power of Vitamin C.

19. Helps Your Skin Look Younger:

This fruit gives the collagen synthesis in your body a boost. The higher the collagen synthesis is, the firmer and flexible your skin will be. Plus, the added nourishment comes from the presence of amino acids and Vitamin C, which ensures that the damaged cells and tissues are repaired quickly (19). Apply freshly prepared pineapple juice on the face, leaving aside the eye region. Wash off using tepid water after 10 minutes.

20. Natural Exfoliating Agent:

You can take the help of freshly crushed pineapple wedges to exfoliate your skin (20). It eliminates the dead skin and accentuates blood flow. This, in turn, helps in safeguarding your skin from looking dull.

21. Get Rid of Those Cracks on Your Feet:

The exfoliating property along with collagen synthesizing nature of pineapple makes it a natural scrub for your feet. It helps in sloughing off the flaky, calloused skin of the feet, leaving them smooth, soft, and radiant. The inflammation and swelling, triggered by the cracks also get a soothing relief.

22. Softens and Strengthens the Nails:

Lack of Vitamin A intake could pave the way for dry, brittle nail. Even worse, Vitamin B deficiency will cause your nails to crack and split. You do not need any over-the-counter multivitamin pill to ease this condition though! Just use pineapple. Topical application as well as internal consumption could actually fade out these deficiencies, easing the infections and strengthening and softening the nails.

23. For Hydrated, Radiant Skin:

Dry skin looks dull and unattractive. You can now make use of the pineapple to give your skin that hydration effect. Mix about 3 tablespoon of freshly crushed pineapples with an egg yolk and a little milk. Apply it topically on the dry skin (23) and leave it for few minutes. Wash off with tepid water for a moisturized skin.

24. Natural Cure for Chapped Lips:

Pineapple, when used along with coconut oil, offers relief from chapped lips. Pineapple as well as coconut oil possesses skin hydrating and nourishing properties. Heal your chapped lips, soften them, and gift them with that ever nourished glow with a pineapple and coconut oil mixture.

25. Prevents Hair Loss:

Vitamin C is an important element that aids in preventing hair loss. It is a powerful antioxidant that combats the free radical damages. Pineapple is a rich source of this water soluble vitamin. Eat them as wedges or just juice them fresh and drink it to reap the benefits of Vitamin C and prevent hair loss.

26. Good for Inflammatory Scalp Conditions:

Bromelain is an anti-oxidative enzyme that possesses anti-inflammatory power (24). Ingestion of pineapple every day prevents and eases inflammatory conditions, which affect the scalp. It also offers relief from infections of the scalp, preventing unwanted hair fall.

27. For Thicker Hair:

Pineapple extracts are known to possess hair thickening properties. The enzymes present in this golden-yellow fruit enriche the hair follicles by rendering necessary vital nutrients. This, in turn, improves the elasticity and thickness of the hair.