BENEFITS OF PINEAPPLE

Pineapple is more than just a delicious tropical fruit. It has significant health benefits. Here are 8 great reasons to eat Hawaii’s native fruit… The power of pineapple lies in its vitamins and digestibility, its natural sweetness and, of course, its affordability.
Here are some healthful, tasty reasons to stock up on fresh or canned pineapple the next time you’re at the supermarket.

1. Pineapple is Rich in Vitamin C:  

One cup of pineapple chunks contains more than the minimum daily requirement for vitamin C – 75 mg daily for women and 90 mg for men, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). And vitamin C helps protect against viral infection and inflammation.So switch up your breakfast routine: Instead of orange juice or grapefruit juice, enjoy the flavor of fresh or canned pineapple to get your daily dose of vitamin C.

 2. It’s a Weight-Loss Enhancer:

Because it’s inexpensive, easy to prepare and low in calories, pineapple makes a good snack if you want to lose weight. You won’t miss all those high-sugar snacks you used to crave, so you’ll save calories but still feel satisfied for longer. That won’t happen with candy and chips.Good pairings include pineapple chunks with walnuts, low-fat whipped cream or a rice dish. The fruit helps manage food cravings by delivering sweetness while keeping blood sugar levels even because of its high fiber content.High-fiber foods help you eat less because they keep you feeling fuller longer. They also improve blood glucose control, according to the Joslin Diabetes Center at Harvard Medical School.Pineapple is 94% carbohydrate, so keep that in mind if you’re on a low-carb diet.

 3. Pineapple Helps Digestion and Reduces Inflammation:

Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that studies show can reduce the inflammation and swelling that occurs in conditions, such as sinusitis, sore throat and arthritis flare-ups, according to the NIH.Pineapple also is recommended for indigestion. Bromelain “may help relieve the inflammation associated with ulcerative colitis,” according to a 2012 Chinese study published in the Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology.If you’re dealing with an infection or injury, bromelain can help reduce swelling, bruising, healing time and pain after injuries and surgery.

4. It Boosts Eyesight:

 Carrots do help keep your eyes bright and healthy, but new research suggests that fruit is even more important for eye health. (Here is a list of foods that help maintain eyesight.)Eating three or more servings of fruit a day may lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) by as much as 36%, according to a study in Archives of Ophthalmology.AMD is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults, afflicting more than 1.8 million Americans over 40, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports.Adding more pineapple to your diet will give you more of the antioxidants you need to slow the development of this sight-robbing condition.

5. It Helps Keep Your Bones Healthy:

Along with calcium, the trace mineral manganese is essential for maintaining strong bones and healthy connective tissues, the NIH advises. A single cup of pineapple contains about 76% of the recommended daily value of manganese.Manganese helps stave off osteoporosis and ease symptoms of the bone disease by helping to improve overall bone and mineral density, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.Plenty of other tropical fruits are also high in manganese – including raspberries, blackberries, strawberries and bananas. So pair pineapple with any or all of these fruits for a delicious salad packed with manganese and other essential vitamins and minerals that will benefit your bones.

6. Pineapple is Affordable, Convenient and Easy-to-Serve:

Unlike expensive imports or seasonal fruits, fresh, frozen and canned pineapple is available year-round in most American markets.Besides fresh and frozen varieties, canned pineapple comes in small- and medium-size cans or jars that are just right for snacking – or adding to a fruit salad.The crushed variety comes ready to pour over your favorite salad or on low-fat cottage cheese.Pineapple is available in light or heavy syrup; choose the fruit packed in its own juice for a healthier alternative.

Summary :

Pineapple is one firut that is delicious, sweet and good for both children and adults.