 Health Benefits of Pineappels
PINEAPPLES: NATURE'S HEALING FRUIT
Want to give your body a boost in health and healing? Then you may want to
add some fresh pineapple and pineapple juice to your diet. Pineapples are
nutritionally packed members of the bromeliad family. This delightful tropical
fruit is high in the enzyme bromelain and the antioxidant vitamin C, both of
which plays a major role in the body's healing process.
Bromelain is a natural anti-inflammatory that has many health benefits and
encourages healing. According to Dr. Andrew Weil, bromelain is very effective in
treating bruises, sprains and strains by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain.
This powerful anti-inflammatory effect can also help relieve rheumatoid
arthritis symptoms and reduce postoperative swelling. Additionally, the
bromelain contained in fresh pineapple can relieve indigestion. This enzyme
helps break down the amino acid bonds in proteins, which promotes good
digestion.
Pineapples provide an ample supply of vitamin C too, a commonly known
antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage and boosts the
immune system. Vitamin C helps build and repair bodily tissue and promotes wound
healing. The body uses vitamin C to help metabolize fats and cholesterol, absorb
iron, and synthesize amino acids and collagen. Collagen is one of the primary
building blocks of skin, cartilage and bones. Vitamin C also decreases the
severity of colds and infections.
Furthermore, due to its high vitamin C content, pineapples are good for your
oral health as well. A study conducted at the State University of New York at
Buffalo found that vitamin C can reduce your risk of gingivitis and periodontal
disease. Besides increasing the ability of connective tissue to repair itself,
vitamin C also increases the body's ability to fight invading bacteria and other
toxins that contribute to gum disease. Periodontal disease, which destroys gum
tissue and underlying jaw bones, has been linked to heart disease, stroke and
type 2 diabetes.
So if you want a natural way to enhance your body's healing mechanisms, promote
overall good health and tantalize your taste buds, pineapples are the way to go.
Choose the fresh fruit because it has the most healing properties.
Unfortunately, most of the bromelain in canned pineapple is destroyed due to the
heat used in the canning process.
When choosing a fresh pineapple, do not judge ripeness solely based upon color.
There are several varieties on the market that range from green to golden
yellow. The most important factor in determining ripeness is smell, let your
nose help you decide. Ripe pineapples give off a sweet, fresh tropical smell.
Avoid pineapples that give off an unpleasant odor or have any soft spots or
areas of dark discoloration. Once home, let the pineapple sit on your counter at
room temperature until ready to use. This will preserve its sweet and tangy
flavor.
To prepare pineapple, you need to peel it, remove the eyes (the thorny
protrusions within the puffy squares of the skin) and the fibrous center. First,
cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple with a sharp knife. Place the
pineapple upright on a cutting board and carefully slice off the outer skin.
With a sharp paring knife or the end if a vegetable peeler, remove the eyes.
Don't cut too deep, just enough to lift out the section that contains the eye.
Then, remove the fibrous core. One way to do this is to cut the pineapple
lengthwise into 4 wedges (quarter it) and cut around the fibrous center core.
Another popular way is to slice the pineapple crosswise and remove the cores
individually with a cookie cutter. Once the fruit is prepared, it can be diced
and eaten fresh, added to salads and entrees for an exotic flavor, or made into
tasty tropical drinks.
Related Links:
Paths to better health
Super Foods: The Top 10 Healthiest Foods
10 Tips to Healthy Eating
Food Pyramid -
Healthy
Eating for Lifetime
Complete Guide to HEALTH ==>>
| 
