Pineapples are tropical fruits very rich in vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants. Also, they boost the immune system, build strong bones and help in digestion.
Additionally, despite their sweetness, pineapples have small amounts of calories.
Furthermore, according to the biology department at Union County College, pineapples are members of the Bromeliad family. Additionally, they are one of the few bromeliads to produce fruit that can be eaten.
Around a central core, many individual berries join together to form this fruit.
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Pineapple Facts
Here are some amazing Pineapple facts you need to know!
- “Pineapple,” derived from the Spanish word piña, was first used in 1398 to refer to a pinecone. This changed about 300 years later, with the word “pinecone” being introduced so pineapple could be used exclusively for the fruit.
- Pineapples regenerate! You can plant pineapple leaves to grow a new plant.
- Hawaii produces about 1/3 of all pineapples in the world.
- They contain the bromelain enzyme which can break down proteins, so you can use them to tenderize meat.
- Pineapples are a cluster of hundreds of fruitlets.
- It is the only edible fruit of its kind, the Bromeliads.
- They take about 18-20 months to become ready to harvest.
- Pineapples are native to South America before Christopher Columbus discovered them in 1493.
- Pineapples get ripe faster upside down.
- One pineapple plant can produce one pineapple at a time.
Pineapple Nutrition and Nutritional Facts
Pineapples nutritional benefits are as interesting as their anatomy. To explain, San Diego-based nutritionist Laura Flores said, “Pineapples contain high amounts of vitamin C and manganese”.
Additionally, these tropical treats are also good sources of important dietary fiber and bromelain. Bromelain is an enzyme that can play a role in a variety of different health benefits.
“As well as having high amounts of manganese, which is important for antioxidant defenses, pineapples also contain high amounts of thiamin, a B vitamin that is involved in energy production”, she said.
Pineapple Nutritional Facts
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which regulates food labeling through the National Labeling and Education Act, here are some of the Pineapple nutrition facts for raw pineapple:
A cup of fresh pineapple chunks contains approximately:
- 82 Calories
- 0.2 grams of Fat
- 0 g of Cholesterol
- 2 milligrams of Sodium
- 21.65 grams of Total Carbohydrate (including 16 grams of sugar and 2.3 grams of fiber)
- 0.89 grams of Protein
Also, as a percentage of your daily requirements, the same amount of fresh pineapple chunks provides:
- 131 percent of Vitamin C
- 2 percent of Vitamin A
- 3 percent of Iron
- 2 percent of Calcium
Furthermore, Pineapple provides important vitamins and minerals like:
- Thiamin
- Riboflavin
- Vitamin B-6
- Folate
- Pantothenic Acid
- Magnesium
- Manganese
- Potassium
- Beta-carotene and other antioxidants
The Nutrition Facts for Canned Pineapple is different from raw pineapple. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Canned Pineapple in light syrup contains 131 calories per cup and 31.88 grams of sugar.
Also, it contains fewer vitamins and minerals. If you like eating canned pineapple, please try to take it without adding sugar. However, you can also look for a variety that is canned in fruit juice.
Pineapple Calories
A cup of fresh pineapple chunks contains 82 Calories.
Pineapple Benefits
Pineapple has a number of benefits. Here are a few of these Pineapple Benefits:
#1. Immune System Support
According to the FDA, Pineapples contain all the recommended daily value of vitamin C. It is a primary water-soluble antioxidant that fights cell damage according to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.
Also, this makes vitamin C a helpful fighter against problems like heart disease and joint pain.
#2. Bone Strength
Pineapples can help keep you standing tall and strong. It contains nearly 75 percent of the daily-approved value of the mineral manganese.
Furthermore, this is important in building strong bones and connective tissues, according to the Linus Pauling Institute.
Also, a 1994 study suggested that manganese, along with other trace minerals, can be helpful in preventing Osteoporosis in post-menopausal women.
#3. Eye Health
“Pineapples can help reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a disease that affects the eyes as people age, due in part to its high amount of vitamin C and the antioxidants it contains,” Flores said.
#4. Digestion
To begin with, just like other fruits and vegetables, pineapple contains dietary fiber. This helps to prevent constipation and promote regularity and a healthy digestive tract.
However, unlike many other fruits and veggies, pineapple contains significant amounts of bromelain. Bromelain reduces inflammatory immune cells, called cytokines, that damage the digestive tract lining.
#5. Asthma Prevention
People who consume a high amount of certain nutrients have a lower risk of developing asthma.
Beta-carotene is one of these nutrients. It is found in orange, yellow and dark green plant foods like pineapple, mangoes, apricots, broccoli, pumpkin, cantaloupe, papaya, and carrots.
In addition, some smaller studies have suggested bromelain can also contribute to reducing asthma symptoms.
#6. Blood Pressure
Generally, consuming more of high potassium fruits and vegetables can assist with lowering your blood pressure.
And, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), less than two percent of U.S. adults keep to the daily 4,700-mg requirement.
In addition, high potassium intake is linked to the 20 percent decrease in the risk of dying from all causes.
#7. Diabetes
People with type 1 diabetes who eat high-fiber diets tend to have lower blood glucose levels. On the other hand, individuals with type 2 diabetes may have improved blood sugar, lipids, and insulin levels.
Furthermore, a medium pineapple offers about 13 g of fiber. Hence, The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 21-25g each day for women and between 30-38g per day for men.
#8. Fertility
Antioxidant-rich diets have been shown to improve fertility. Therefore, since free radicals can damage the reproductive system, foods with high antioxidant activity (like pineapples) are highly recommended for people trying to conceive.
With this in mind, the antioxidants in pineapple like vitamin C and beta-carotene, and the vitamins and minerals copper, zinc, and folate have properties that can affect the fertility of both males and females.
#9. Blood Clot Reduction
Flores noted that because of the bromelain levels of Pineapples, excessive coagulation of the blood is reduced by taking them.
Hence, this makes pineapple the perfect snack for frequent fliers and people at risk for blood clots.
#10. Healing and Inflammation
Studies have shown that bromelain which is primarily in the stem, can reduce swelling, bruising, healing time, and pain that comes with injury and surgical intervention.
In conclusion, other Pineapple Benefits are:
- Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
- Common Cold and Sinus Inflammation
- Promotes Heart Health
- Fights Skin Damage
- Fights Cancer
- Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Pineapple Health Risks
Specifically, this part of this article talks about some of the health risks that come with the consumption of pineapples.
Firstly, “Because pineapple is a great meat tenderizer, eating too much can result in tenderness of the mouth, including the lips, tongue, and cheeks,” Flores said. “But, [it] should sort itself out within a few hours.”
However, if it does not, or if you experience a rash, hives or breathing difficulties, get medical help immediately. You might have a pineapple allergy.
Also, Flores noted a possible negative to pineapple’s high levels of vitamin C. “Because of the high amount of vitamin C that pineapples contain, consuming large quantities may induce diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or heartburn,” she said.
Additionally, large amounts of bromelain cause diarrhea, excessive menstrual bleeding, skin rashes, and vomiting, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Furthermore, Bromelain can interact with some medications. Therefore, people taking antibiotics, anticoagulants, blood thinners, anticonvulsants, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, insomnia drugs, and tricyclic antidepressants should be careful not to eat too much pineapple.
On the other hand, eating unripe pineapple or drinking unripe pineapple juice is dangerous, according to the Horticulture department at Purdue University.
Consequently, it is harmful to humans and can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting.
Finally, eating a lot of pineapple cores can also lead to the formation of fiber balls in the digestive tract.
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