This entry was posted on Thursday, October 4th, 2007 at 4:29 pm and is filed under Diet, Fruit. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Whenever I see a pineapple I immediately think of sunnier climates and tropical beaches and as it is native to South America it is not really surprising. Apart from taking our minds to the thought of holidays and exotic drinks, what benefits does the Pineapple have on our bodies?
What’s in a Pineapple?
Nutrients are based on 100 grams
- Calories: 50 kcal
- Protein: 0.54 grams
- Carbohydrates: 12.63 grams
- Fibre: 1.4 grams
- Fat: 0.12 grams
- Calcium: 13 milligrams
- Phosphorus: 8 milligrams
- Potassium: 115 milligrams
- Zinc: 0.10 milligrams
- Iron: 0.28 milligrams
- Magnesium: 12 milligrams
- Vitamin A: 56 micrograms
- Vitamin B1: 0.079 milligrams
- Vitamin B2: 0.031 milligrams
- Vitamin B3: 0.489 milligrams
- Vitamin B5: 0.205 milligrams
- Vitamin B6: 0.11 milligrams
- Vitamin C: 36.2 milligrams
- Vitamin E: 0.02 micrograms
- Folate (folic acid): 15 micrograms
(more sweet than sour – Beeble)
What do these figures mean?
I guess it will be of no great surprise that this fruit, as with many other fruits we’ve covered, also packs a punch on the vitamin C front. A very mighty 60% of the recommended daily quantity and as we know from the orange that helps keep colds and illnesses at bay. Not quite so impressive but also worth mentioning is its Vitamin B6 quantity which hits a respectful 8% of your daily recommended amount.
Why eat a pineapple?
Due to the large quantity of vitamin C it can give you a large portion of your daily requirements which can help boost your immune system. Due to its good portion of vitamin B6 it can be said that it can help prevent Parkinson’s disease, according to research, and it can also help ease the pains of a hangover or morning sickness. This is because it is a natural diuretic, stimulating the kidneys which can help remove toxins and easing stomach disorders. Pineapples help keep your heart healthy and due to the content of micronutrients it is said to also help prevent against cancer.
Pineapples can also reduce swelling bought on by arthritis, gout and sore throats. It is this reduction of swelling that can also help speed up the healing process of wounds and operations. However, for this to work you should consume the pineapple between meals.
Don’t eat too many!
Whilst its healing properties seem quite remarkable, it is wise to point out that too many can lead to diarrhoea, so go easy! This loss of liquid will reduce the body’s water levels and not help you at all.
Summary
To fully enjoy the benefits of the pineapple consume some as a mid-morning snack and or a mid-afternoon snack and remember, not too much!
Sphere: Related Content
