The HEALING fruit - pineapple

  

Grown well in the tropical regions, the sweet, spiky pineapple originally hails from Brazil. It is an unique member of the bromeliad family as the other members are not known to produce edible fruit. It consists of dozens of individual flowers that grow together to form the entire fruit, with each scale or eye riping from a separate flower. In fact, the more scales on the surface, the sweeter and juicier the taste.

Do not pick an unriped fruit because it stops ripening the minute is picked.  No special way of storing can help ripen it further. Also, the appearing color does not determine its level of ripeness.

HEALTH BENEFITS


Most people like pineapple for its lush, sweet and exotic flavour, but may not know that it is one of the most healthful foods available today.  It’s literally true medicine!

(1)  Potential Anti-inflammatory and digestive benefits – for easing indigestion (including rid of intestinal worms), arthritis or sinusitis.


In the 1890s, researchers began isolating and studying bromelain, a natural mixture of two proteases (protein-digesting enzymes) abundantly extracted from the stem of the fruit. Most commercially grown pineapple is sliced, canned or juiced. The remains are rich with this corrosive substance which is then extracted. Note that the flesh of a pineapple does not have the high bromelain content like the core does.  Bromelain works in these capacities due to its ability to separate amino acids and thus aids the body in digesting proteins more efficiently. Bodybuilders can take note of this point.


Even during steak preparation, it can be used for tenderizing. Together with the small bits of fiber it provides, help to de-clog the digestive and intestinal tracts, and reduce arterial plaque and blood pressure. One cup of fresh pineapple daily can cut painful bloating within 72 hours.

Thus, excessive inflammation, excessive blood coagulation and certain types of tumor growth (including breast, lung, colon, ovarian and melanoma) may be reduced by therapeutic doses of bromelain when taken as a dietary supplement. Also, its ability to relieve painful joints common to osteoarthritis makes it a popular remedial food for approved as a post-injury medication because it is thought to reduce inflammation and swelling. It can also prevent asthma and allergies by addressing the root cause – a hyperactive, over-sensitive immune system.


(2)  Pineapple is high in the trace mineral –  manganese, also an essential cofactor in a number of enzymes important in energy production and antioxidant defenses. For example, the key oxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD), which disarms free radicals produced within the mitochondria (the energy production factories within our cells), requires manganese.  This reaction is helpful for development of strong bones and connective tissue, especially amongst the elderly, whose bones tend to become brittle with age.

Pineapple, chunks, fresh
1.00 cup
(165.00 grams)

Calories: 83
GI: medium

NutrientDRI/DV

 vitamin C105%

 manganese77%

 copper20%

 vitamin B611%

 vitamin B111%

 fiber9%

 folate7%

 pantothenic acid7%

(3)  Pineapple is a good source of thiamin or Vitamin B1 that acts as a cofactor in enzymatic reactions central to energy production.  Other Vitamin B present are vitamin B6 and folate. Taking many antioxidants in the fruit at the same time can reduce visible wrinkles and blemishes, and lower your chances of developing cancer. According to a study conducted, it was uncovered that “The addition of bromelain increased the die off of cancer cells significantly as it has the potential of being developed as a therapeutic agent in treating malignant cancer.”

(4)  Vitamin C is a powerful water-soluble antioxidant (choose fully ripened pineapple for higher amount) that protects our body against free radicals from attacking and damaging normal cells. In some patients, it can lead to asthma attacks by causing the airway spasm, and contribute to the joint pain and disability seen in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In severely-damaged cases, it is seen to promote the artery plaque build-up of atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease, and turns the colon cells cancerous. In fact, this vitamin helps to metabolize fats and cholesterol.

It is also vital for the proper functioning of the immune system, often associated with the prevention of recurrent colds and flu as well as decrease in severity of infections.

Vitamin C helps build and repair bodily tissue and promotes wound healing. Its ability to enhance the uptake of amino acids (the primary building blocks and maintenance of skin, blood vessels, organs, cartilage and bones) by many folds leads to the production of more collagen. 

The high vitamin C content in pineapple is good for oral health as it can reduce the risk of gingivitis periodontal disease and other gum disease.

Vitamin C and bromelain, acting jointly can reduce mucous in the throat. For this reason, it is used in Europe as a post-operative measure to cut mucous after certain sinus and throat operations. As such, those individuals with allergies like sinus problems should take fresh pineapple daily.

(5) Pineapple juice is a natural diuretic (reduce water buildup), enabling the body to eliminate toxins, lower blood pressure and prevent weight gain (contains minimal fat)

Our comments

Choose the fresh fruit because it has the most healing properties. Unfortunately, most of the bromelain in canned pineapple is destroyed due to the heat used in the canning process.

+  Add fresh pineapple to your morning smoothie, lunch time yogurt, any fruit and most vegetable salads.

+  As for pineapple juice, taking with some nuts makes a healthy snack.  Not only it is a mouth refresher, those with morning sickness can find relief too.

+  Ripe pineapples give off a sweet, fresh tropical smell. Avoid pineapples that give off an unpleasant odor or have any soft spots or areas of dark discoloration.

+  To enhance taste, coat with salt for a sugary taste. Also, reduces the biting effect of its enzymatic reaction on the mouth lining.

+  By taking pineapples together with amino acids, bodybuilders can achieve better results as the delivery of proteins to growing muscles is enhanced.

Other considerations

+  Individuals who are taking blood-thinning medications should inform their health-care provider before taking bromelain.


+  Foods with a low GI (Glycemic Index) of 55 or less are not likely to cause spikes in blood sugar levels, while those high on the GI scale, with scores of 70 or more, may cause these spikes. Raw pineapple has a GI score of 59, making it a medium-glycemic food.

+  While pineapple is full of beneficial fiber and bromelain to promote normal digestion, too much at one sitting leads to uncomfortable side effects in some people. If you do not normally consume a lot of high-fiber foods, the sudden intake of fiber from pineapple may upset your stomach. Having a large portion of pineapple piles tons of fiber in your digestive tract together with high amounts of bromelain may lead to diarrhea or possibly constipation.

VIVA corner

Bromelain protein-digesting enzyme can be obtained from VIVA Nutrazyme diet supplement with each capsule serving of 18 MCU to take before meal.

Taking VIVA NutraZyme with every meal is an easy way to ensure that your digestive system receives the support it needs to help you properly assimilate whatever you eat. The tablets are completely vegetarian, formulated specifically from plant sources and include special enhancers to increase enzyme effectiveness.