4 Health Benefits of Pineapple

Let's just say this, I don't love pineapple. Actually I think it's pretty gross. Gag worthy in fact! For many years I avoided it until recently discovering some huge benefits pineapple has for ulcerative colitis. (You can see the full story of my dislike for pineapple on my Instagram account.)

I tried pineapple again because, one, I'm older now and I'd like to think a little bit wiser and I think my hangups about it are a little ridiculous. Two, after trying it within other foods I feel it's not as bad as eating it by itself. The taste of raw pineapple, for some reason, still makes me gag, but the benefits of pineapple out weigh my distaste for it. So I am going to eat it and here are the reasons why.

1. Pineapple Contains Bromelain

Pineapple has an enzyme called bromelain. Bromelain is a digestive enzyme that helps break down proteins within food. It helps food digest easier and absorb better within the small intestine. For anyone with Inflammatory Bowel Disease like myself malabsorption can be a symptom. Fortunately, since I have added pineapple to my diet I felt better after eating. I have less bloat and cramping.

2. Pineapple Has Lots of Vitamins and Minerals

Pineapple houses lots of vitamins and minerals. The most important of those being vitamin C and maganese. 1 cup of pinapple has 79 mg of vitamin C compared to one orange with 51 mg. Maybe it would be better for all of us to eat pineapple when we have the cold instead of oranges.

Maganese has many benefits but some of the most important roles it plays is as antioxidant and also the metabolism of carbohydrates. It also has been known to play a significant role in bone development and wound healing.

The other vitamins and minerals it contains in lesser amounts are:
B6
Copper
Thiamin
Folate
Potassium
Magnesium
Niacin
Pantothenic Acid
Riboflavin
Iron

3. Studies of Pineapple Show Anti-inflammatory Properties

Many studies have shown that pineapple has many anti-inflammatory properties. A study in 2010 with mice who have chronic colitis were given fresh pineapple juice lowered their colonic inflammation. The supplementation of pineapple juice improved the mice's symptoms while also lowering their frequency of inflammation in the bowels. These same properties are also believed to help patients with arthiritis and any other inflammatory related diseases.

4. Pineapple and Antioxidants

Is there still and antioxidant trend happening? I don't think it ever went away! In any case, even if there isn't one, pineapple is rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are known to fight free radicals from oxidative stress. Free radicals can cause inflammation and weaken the immune system. What's special about pineapple antioxidants is that they are bound to insoluble food making their fighting power last longer in our bodies.

In Summary

I don't know about you but I think I'm going to incorporate a lot more pineapple into my diet, even if it makes me gag. The anti-inflammatory properties alone are worth the horrible to taste, plus I don't have to eat by itself to receive the benefits. I'd love to reduce my colitis inflammation or any any inflammation from pineapple. Wouldn't you?

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