Upon hearing or seeing the word pineapple, you might have been reminded of the famous cartoon character Spongebob Squarepants. With its spiky, cross-hatched, and dusty green leaves, the spiny, delicious fruit is loved by many. What people may not know is that pineapples are also oozing with health benefits. If you want to learn more, keep reading!
Pineapples: Important Facts
Pineapples are a delicious tropical fruit bounded by thorny spikes and hard, waxy leaves. Including its leaves, it’s about 1 foot long and has a tart, sweet flavour. Part of the Bromeliaceae family, pineapples are actually a compound fruit, which means they are made of merged berries that grow in the crown of a fruiting tree. Its common name was given to it in the 17th century, because its appearance and structure is similar to pine cones.
Pineapple harvesting season runs from March to June, and a single tree will produce numerous fruits. You can eat it fresh, cooked, preserved or juiced, and its leaves can be used as ceiling insulation and wallpaper. Pineapple products are enjoyed all over the world, even used as a popular flavour in alcoholic beverages.
Nutritional Value of Pineapple
Pineapple is a powerhouse of vitamins and minerals, including copper, potassium, calcium, manganese, vitamin C, magnesium, thiamin, folate, beta-carotene and vitamin B6. Furthermore, it offers insoluble and soluble fiber and bromelain.
Benefits of Pineapples
The benefits of pineapples are wide-ranging. It is good for the hair, skin and the overall health. Continue reading to learn more about these amazing benefits.
Skin Benefits
A cure for chapped lips. Adding pineapple to coconut oil and applying it to the lips can help make them softer and suppler.
Hydrates the skin. Pineapple has an ample amount of water, making it beneficial in keeping the skin hydrated.
Natural Exfoliant. The skin of the pineapple has a rough surface, which helps eliminate dead skin and increase circulation.
Makes you look younger. Eating pineapple on a regular basis can have amazing effects on the skin. Furthermore, its collagen content keeps your skin looking incredibly young.
Treats acne. The vitamin C content of the pineapple helps treat pimples.
Hair Benefits
Makes hair thicker. Pineapple extract, as professionals say, has hair-thickening properties.
Treats inflammatory scalp conditions. The bromelain antioxidative enzyme in the pineapple has anti-inflammatory properties which are beneficial in treating any inflammation of the scalp.
Prevents hair loss. The vitamin C content of the fruit is beneficial in preventing hair loss and fighting the effects of free radicals.
Overall Health Benefits
Fights cancer. The sheer amount of antioxidants in the fruit help reduce the risk of cancer and halt cell damage.
Prevents macular degeneration. The beta-carotene in the pineapple helps improve vision.
Healthy gums. Not only can eating pineapple make your gums strong, it also keeps your teeth healthy.
Makes the bones stronger. The rich manganese content of the fruit helps strengthen bones and connective tissues.
Prevents colds. The bromelain and vitamin C content of pineapple helps fight off colds and get rid of any microbial infections.
Prevent damage caused by free radicals. Since the fruit is rich in antioxidants, it is beneficial in fighting free radicals, thus preventing further cell damage.
