Pineapple, the tropical fruit for excellence, is available all year in our supermarkets. Very rich in manganese, it has mainly bromelain, which would have many health virtues, among others, on the blood circulation and cardiovascular diseases.
The Benefits of Pineapple
1. Cancer prevention
Clinical observations and several studies based on animal and cellular models suggest that bromelain, an enzyme contained in pineapples, may have a direct effect on cancer cells and their microenvironments. They would have, among other things, an effect on the regulation of the immune, inflammatory, and homeostatic systems (favoring blood clotting). However, more studies needed to measure the effect on humans.
2. Cardiovascular illnesses
Bromelain is known for its anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, antiplatelet, and fibrinolytic (dissolving blood clots) properties. In the past, studies have also shown that bromelain would reduce the risk of angina, act against hypertension, and cut the risk of coronary infarction. However, few clinical studies have been conducted in humans. Most were either in vitro studies or in vivo studies in animals.
3. Osteoarthritis
Some studies have shown that thanks to its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, bromelain, which is very present in pineapples, may prove to a safe alternative treatment for osteoarthritis.
What does pineapple contain?
Bromelain
The pineapples plant and its fruit contain bromelain, an enzyme that would have multiple actions: anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-edematous, in addition to digestion and improve circulatory and cardiovascular systems. These effects observed in humans, animals, and in vitro, after the ingestion of bromelain extracts (from pineapples or synthesized). The beneficial effects of bromelain extract observed at doses of 160 mg per day, but more markedly at daily doses of 500 mg and more. According to empirical data, these doses correspond to 1 to 2 cups (from 250 ml to 500 ml) of fresh pineapple. In fresh pineapples only. Bromelain is found in fresh pineapple, canned and cooked pineapples do not.
Phenolic compounds
Polyphenols and flavonoids, phenolic compounds present in plants, possess antioxidant properties. They can help prevent the emergence of several diseases (cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and various chronic diseases) by neutralizing free radicals in the body. Phenolic compounds identified in pineapples, such as gallic acid, but this fruit is not particularly distinguished, compared to other exotic fruits (lychee, mango, kaki, etc.). The pineapple has a high antioxidant potential, but lower than a dozen other common fruits, such as strawberry, lemon, orange, apple, and grape. Moreover, the vitamin C content of pineapple would give to just over 30% of its antioxidant potential.
PineApple precautions
consumption of pineapple causes the release of histamine into the body. This is also the case in other foods, including strawberry and tomato. In some people, this can cause development of benign reactions, such as urticaria. It is important to note that these reactions are not allergies, but rather food intolerance.
Stopping consumption of the food causes the symptoms to stop. The real allergy to pineapple is rather rare, although cases observed. Cross-reactions are also possible with latex and pollen. People allergic to these two compounds may prove hypersensitivity to pineapple (as well as to other fruits, such as kiwi and banana), and vice versa. People who are intolerant or allergic to pineapple should avoid consuming the fruit, but also take bromelain supplements.
We recommend consulting an allergist to find the cause of the reactions to certain foods and the precautions need to be taken.
PineApple: Choice and conservation
Choice
The perfume of a pineapple is a good indicator of its degree of maturity and its sugar content: full and fruity, but not too pronounced, the probable sign of an early fermentation. On the other hand, the color of the bark is not necessarily a good sign: a fruit with green bark is perfectly ripe. Evenly sized, choose the heaviest fruits, whose leaves are firm, fresh, and of a beautiful dark green. Avoid those that look old, dried, damaged or have soft parts or those whose leaves are brown. It is best to avoid canned fruits, drinks, and juices when they contain large amounts of added sugar.
Keep
- Fridge: Pineapple could be stored for 1 or 2 days at room temperature, but it is best to keep it in the refrigerator (up to 4 or 5 days). Put it in a perforated plastic bag in the fruit and vegetable bin. Peeled and cut into pieces, it will keep for a few days in an airtight container. The pieces of water covered.
- Freezer: peeled, the heart removed and cut into pieces or mashed and placed in freezer bags. we recommend not to freeze for more than 3 months, at the risk of losing its flavor.
