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. Pineapples are loaded with vitamin A and C, fiber, potassium, phosphorous and calcium.
Health benefits of Pineapple
- Fresh pineapple is low in calories. Nonetheless, it is a storehouse for several unique health promoting compounds, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.
- 100 g fruit provides just about 50 calories equivalent to that of apples. Its flesh contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; however, it is rich source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber like pectin.
- Pineapple fruit contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain that digests food by breaking down protein. Bromelain also has anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting and anti-cancer properties
- Fresh pineapple is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin; vitamin C. Consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body protect from scurvy; develop resistance against infectious agents (boosts immunity) and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.
- It also contains small amount Vitamin A (provides 58 IU per 100 g) and beta-carotene levels. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A is also required maintaining healthy mucosa, skin and is essential for vision
- In addition, ananas fruit is rich in B-complex group of vitamins like folate, thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and minerals like copper, manganese and potassium.
o Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure.
o Copper is a helpful cofactor for red blood cell synthesis.
o Manganese is a co-factor for the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which is a very powerful free radical scavenger.
