Health Benefits of Pineapple

Health Benefits of Pineapple
Pineapples Rich in Essential Nutrients, Fiber, and Antioxidants
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Jan 9, 2010 Jennifer Murray
An excellent source of vitamin C and manganese, pineapple is a great-tasting and nutritious addition to a balanced diet. Learn the health benefits of pineapple.



With its delicious taste, it is no wonder pineapple is one of the most popular tropical fruits in North America, second only to bananas. In addition to being low in calories and having no fat, pineapple contains health-boosting vitamins and minerals.
Health Benefits of Pineapple
Just one cup of pineapple contains almost 50 percent of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin C. The vitamin C in pineapple acts as a disease-fighting antioxidant, protecting the body from free radicals. Vitamin C also boosts immunity, helping the body to fight off colds and infections.
Pineapples are also rich in manganese, with a one-cup serving providing 128 percent of the RDA of this essential mineral. Manganese helps build bones, control blood sugar, and is used by the body to produce energy. The manganese found in pineapple also acts as an antioxidant.
Like many fruits, pineapple is a good source of fiber. Fiber not only aids digestion, but reduces the risk of heart disease and diabetes, promotes weight loss, and makes weight maintenance easier.
The copper found in pineapple plays a key role in bone health. Research suggests those who eat a diet rich in copper experience less bone density loss, reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Copper is also important in reducing free radical damage and in the absorption of iron.

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Pineapple is a good source of vitamin B1. Vitamin B1 is also used by the body in energy production and is important in maintaining healthy cardiovascular and nervous system functioning.
Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that aids digestion and acts as a natural anti-inflammatory when taken in supplement form.
With only 74 calories per one-cup serving and zero fat, eating pineapple is a great way to reach the five servings of fruit recommended to reduce the risk of developing certain diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Enjoying Pineapple
Although pineapple is in season from March through June, pineapples are available year-round in most supermarkets. To retain the most nutritional value from pineapple, fresh is best; however, pineapple canned in light syrup and frozen pineapple are also nutritious.
Pineapple is a tasty, nutritious treat all on its own, but can also be used in fruit salad, as an ingredient in fruit smoothies or salsa, and grilled with beef, poultry, pork or other fruits and vegetables.
References:
The George Mateljan Foundation. (n.d.). "Pineapple." Accessed January 8, 2010.
U.S. National Library of Science, MedlinePlus. (26 August 2009). "Bromelain (Ananas comosus, Ananas sativus)." Accessed January 8, 2010.
Wright, J. (2007). The Top 100 Health Tips. London: Duncan Baird Publishers.


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