We are actually very fortunate to be able to savour nutritious tropical fruits without hurting our pockets. Local fruits immediately come to mind are of course the King of fruits, the durian. Then we have mangosteen, rambutan, duku langsat, watermelon, coconut, banana, papaya, mango, guava, and dragon fruit. Have I left out something? Yes, the pineapple.
If you are my regular reader, you would know that I take fresh juices everyday, prepared by myself. Initially, I did not include pineapple because from my past experience, I always had bowel problem after taking it. Then one day I decided to try again by adding a slice of pineapple in my fruit juice concoction. Two things I noticed: it had a lot of juice and it tasted, most delicious!!
And an added bonus!! No problem with my bowel. Don't ask me why or "how come"? I don't know. The only thing I know is that it's great to add pineapple in my juice preparation.
Then one day while typing on the keyboard, I noticed a different appearance in the skin texture of my lower arms. I couldn't believe my eyes! The skin of my lower arms has been blemished with little black spots ; a sign of ageing, for years! They didn't bother me for I knew it was due to the process of ageing. But this time it was a surprise!! The little black spots have disappeared!! Now you can ask me why or "how come"?
I attribute this to the pineapple juice! So I like to share with you some information on the pineapple. I shall not go into detail on the medicinal values of the pineapple, but will "copy and paste" the more relevant info for your easy reference. If you wish to go into detail, just click on the link provided.
Here it goes:
From The World's Healthiest Foods :
Pineapples are a composite of many flowers whose individual fruitlets fuse together around a central core. Each fruitlet can be identified by an "eye," the rough spiny marking on the pineapple's surface. Pineapples have a wide cylindrical shape, a scaly green, brown or yellow skin and a regal crown of spiny, blue-green leaves and fibrous yellow flesh. The area closer to the base of the fruit has more sugar content and therefore a sweeter taste and more tender texture
From Wikipedia :
Pineapple is a good source of manganese (91 %DV in a 1 cup serving), as well as containing significant amounts of Vitamin C (94 %DV in a 1 cup serving) and Vitamin B1 (8 %DV in a 1 cup serving).[6]
From Ezine Articles :
Pineapple helps you strengthen your bones. The fruit is a rich source of manganese, which is required by your body to strengthen bones and tissues. If you have just one cup of pineapple everyday, you can fulfill 73% of your body's requirement for this mineral.
From Philippine Herbal Medicine :
Pineapple contains micro-nutrients that experts believe protects against cancer and this micro-nutrients also break up blood clots and is beneficial to the heart. The ripe pineapple has diuretic properties. Pineapple juices also kills intestinal worms. It also relieves intestinal disorders and soothes the bile. Pineapple juice contains chemicals that stimulates the kidneys and aids in removing toxic elements in the body.
Pineapple contains a mixture of enzymes called bromelain. Bromelain blocks the production of kinins that form when there is inflammation. Test have shown that this blocking property of Bromelain in pineapple helps reduce swelling brought about by arthritis, gout, sore throat and acute sinusitis. This also helps accelerate the healing of wounds due to injury or surgery. To help reduce inflammation, eat pineapple in between meals. If eaten during or after meals, the enzymes will be utilized for digesting food.
From Oohoi.com :
While many people often take extra vitamin C or drink extra orange juice when they have a cold, few consider eating pineapple. The benefits of pineapple when you have a cold or cough are the same as the benefits of orange juice, but there is an additional benefit of pineapple. Bromelain, which is found in pineapples, has been found to help suppress coughs and loosen mucus.
From OneIndia :
Due to its high vitamin C content, pineapples are good for your oral health as well. Vitamin C can reduce your risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Vitamin C also increases the body's ability to fight invading bacteria and other toxins that contribute to gum disease
Pineapple has been thought good for heart conditions and indeed should not be used by people with haemophilia or by those with diseases of the kidneys and liver. This is because it seems to reduce the time taken to coagulate the blood - which is why it can be useful for heart patients.
Pineapple could be useful for women suffering from painful periods. Choose ripe fruits of good colour for pineapples do not become sweeter on storage if they are picked green. This is because the starch in the stem is taken up into the fruit and converted to sugar only at the final stage of ripening.
Pineapple has been shown to be important in maintaining good eye health and helping to protect against age-related eye problems. There are even some beneficial molecules hidden in the stems of pineapples. These molecules have been seen to act as a defense against certain types of cancer.
Pinapples are used to help cure bronquitis and throat infections. It is efficient in the treatment of arterioscleroses and anaemia.
What about this gem to be happy? (also from OneIndia) :Pineapple is an excellent cerebral toner; it combats loss of memory, sadness and melancholy.Don't say I didn't tell you; but I am no doctor. So think for yourself!
Have a pineapple day!! [For my other healthy lifestyle articles, please check on "Healthy Lifestyle" links on the right sidebar of this blog]
