Pineapple Benefits and 4 Side Effects (+ Nutrition Facts)

 Pineapples are a true nutritional marvel when compared to other tropical fruits. They are juicy, sweet, and sour all at once, making them pleasant. Continue reading to find out everything there is to know about the fruit's advantages as well as drawbacks. We've also included some helpful advice to assist you in selecting, preserving, and cooking pineapple.

                   image by piaxaby

Interesting Facts about Pineapple

South America—more specifically, Paraguay and southern Brazil—is where the pineapple plant first appeared. You may be surprised to learn that the Guarani word for fruit is nanà.

The tropical fruit gets its name from the fact that its outside resembles a pine cone.

The Pineapple’s Journey

The tasty fruit did not arrive in Europe until the fifteenth century. This was made possible by the sailors, for whom the vitamin C bomb was a true boon during lengthy expeditions. Eventually, Spanish sailors brought the tropical fruit to India from Europe.

These days, tropical regions like Costa Rica, Brazil, the Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, and India are the primary locations for pineapple cultivation.

Varieties of Pineapple

                                    image by pixabay

                         

The world's pineapple varieties number in the hundreds. These cultivars are divided into five categories:

Cayenne:

The fruits are low in fiber, cylindrical, orange-yellow, and may weigh up to four kilos. The flesh has a longer shelf life, is lighter in color, and has a fragrant, high sweetness to low acidity ratio. This group includes Baron Rothschild, Kew, Hilo, and Smooth Cayenne.

Queen:

The small, thin leaves contain curving edge spines. The fruits reach a weight of 1.3 kg. Often, the flesh is a vivid golden color. The fruits are delicious, fragrant, and low in fiber. Natal Queen, Victoria, Alexandra, MacGregor, Z. Queen, Ripley Queen, and Fairy Queen are among the members of this group.

Spanish:

The leaves are often thorny, long, and thin. The fruits weigh up to 2.3 kg and feature spherical, white flesh that is reddish-yellow in texture. Red Spanish and Singaporean Spanish are included in this category.

Pineapple Nutrition Facts and Calories

Pineapple is the ideal dessert, weighing only 56 calories per 100 grams. It has active components that are beneficial to your health, is fat-free, and high in fiber.

Not only that, but pineapple also has a combination of enzymes called bromelain, which aids in the body's battle against inflammation and enhances blood flow and digestion. Moreover, it promotes tissue repair and regeneration.

Pineapple Health Benefits

Fresh pineapple is a real superfood: the fruit hardly contains any calories and yet is rich in potassium and vitamin C at the same time.

Boosts Immune System Power

Enough vitamin C is required for a robust immune system. Comparatively speaking, pineapple has a lot more of this than other tropical fruits. In addition to aiding in the body's absorption of iron, the vitamin supply also helps the body combat free radicals. Pineapple's nutrients, vitamins, and enzymes might also lessen inflammation.

Pineapple Helps You Digest Protein

An enzyme called bromelain, which is present in pineapple, is essential for the digestion and absorption of proteins. It aids in the breakdown of protein molecules in meals so that the body can absorb and digest them more easily.

Aids in Digestion and Treats Intestinal Conditions

Because pineapple contains bromelain, it helps treat digestive disorders. Frequent consumption of pineapple can facilitate better digestion and help the body absorb the nutrients included in the fruit. Numerous research have even verified this.

Pineapple Promotes Body Relaxation

Pineapple has a high magnesium content compared to other fruits. This guarantees a decreased likelihood of weariness and cramping in the muscles. The same holds true for agitation and headaches.

Furthermore, the fruit has an ingredient that promotes the synthesis of serotonin. This can help you cope with stress and improve your mood.

Pineapple Has an Alkalizing Effect

The minerals in the tropical fruit help to level out your body’s acid-base balance. This is a great help especially if you are prone to hyperacidity due to a poor diet, for example.

Pineapple Benefits for Your Skin

It may surprise you to learn that fresh pineapple is useful for purposes other than merely eating and drinking. Let us share with you a true beauty tip: utilize the fruit pulp, which can be made by crushing it in a blender, as a mask.

Lowers the Chance of Chronic Illness

Pineapple has significant antioxidants in addition to essential vitamins. These aid in the body's management of oxidative stress, which is brought on by an excess of free radicals.

Chronic disease may occur as a result of this. The tropical fruit's antioxidants are linked in a way that allows them to initiate a long-lasting defensive system in the body.

Pineapple Benefits in Pregnancy

The misconception that eating pineapple while pregnant increases the risk of miscarriages persists. But as soon as you consume the fruit, the acid in your stomach starts to destroy the enzymes that are thought to cause miscarriage.

As long as you're not intolerant, eating pineapple while pregnant is safe.

Pineapple Helps with Weight Loss

Given that there are just 56 calories in 100 grams of pulp, it makes sense that you would believe pineapple is a healthy fruit for dieting.

However, its high sugar and carbohydrate content may first persuade you to the contrary. If you consume a lot of fruit, the high fructose content might cause you to feel hungry as it enters your circulation rapidly.

Sexual Benefits of Pineapple for Men

In addition to improving digestion, pineapple's bromelain can increase the synthesis of testosterone. Eating pineapple helps you maintain your libido and improve your sex life since testosterone controls libido.

Are Pineapples Good for You?

Considering the vast array of benefits that consuming pineapple can have, we can draw the conclusion that pineapple is good for you.

In addition to strengthening your immune system and helping your digestion, pineapple can improve your skin and even reduce the risk of chronic disease.

The fruit's high vitamin C concentration helps expectant mothers, while its bromelain content increases men's testosterone levels. In addition to helping people lose weight, pineapple can help women's sex hormones mature.

Is Pineapple Bad for You?

To sum up, eating pineapple can have some really negative side effects. Pineapple should not be consumed too frequently if you are vulnerable to high blood pressure or use certain medications. If you have an allergy, you should also avoid consuming excessive amounts of pineapple.