You know that eating fruit is a healthy choice. The United States Department of Agriculture recommends that adults get 1-1/2 to 2 cups of fruit daily. It’s also suggested that you eat a large variety of fruit. That way you are sure you’re covering your nutrient needs and keeping your diet fresh and interesting, which promotes healthier eating.
Like Personal Growth on Facebook
Pineapple is available year-round at most supermarkets at affordable prices, but it’s also sold frozen and canned. That means you can eat it anytime you want to. Each time you choose to eat pineapple, your body benefits in a variety of ways. Choose pineapple for any or all of the following reasons. You won’t be sorry when you add pineapple to your meal plan.
Contains Vitamin C
One of the biggest perks of eating pineapple is its high concentration of vitamin C. This vitamin is considered an antioxidant, which means it boosts immunity and helps battle illnesses and diseases that range from the common cold to heart disease to cancer. In fact, research shows that people who eat a healthy amount of pineapple are better able to fight off coughs and sniffles when compared to those who don’t eat any pineapple.
Boasts Plenty of Fiber
Fiber plays many roles when it comes to your health, so it pays to make sure you’re getting enough. One of the most important things that fiber does is regulate your digestion and promote regular bowel movements. This ensures that you don’t suffer from digestive disturbances like diarrhea or constipation.
Fiber also helps slough cholesterol from your bloodstream, which dramatically reduces your risk of having a heart attack. Finally, fiber fills you up and is digested slower than other nutrients, so you can count on it to satisfy your appetite and keep you from getting hungry between meals. This is an ideal way to control your weight or even lose some excess pounds that you might be carrying around.
Strengthens Bones
Pineapple is known to help strengthen bones, according to research. The fruit contains both manganese and calcium; nutrients that build and maintain strong and healthy bones. In fact, one glass of pineapple juice satisfies a day’s worth of manganese.
Combined with other high calcium foods, pineapple can help guarantee a strong skeleton for life. A deficiency in either of these nutrients can leave you with brittle bones, which are more susceptible to fractures, breaks and other problems you’d rather not deal with.
Fights Macular Degeneration
Studies show that eating adequate amounts of fruit can help keep your eyes healthy and ward off the development of macular degeneration, a progressive eye disease that can interfere with eyesight. Getting at least three daily servings of fruit seems to provide the best results. Pineapple has been used as a home remedy for generations and is linked to the prevention of macular degeneration as well as slowing the progression of the disease for people who already have it.
Fights Asthma
Asthma can be a devastating illness to live with, and people can die from an asthma attack. That’s why it’s so important to take care of yourself if you suffer from asthma. Experts have found that asthmatic patients who eat pineapple can better control the disease.
In addition, eating pineapple may prevent asthma from developing in people who are at risk. It’s thought that the fruit’s concentration of beta-carotene is responsible for this benefit.
Potassium Content
In addition to its impressive array of other nutrient content, pineapple is rich in potassium as well. This nutrient is responsible for regulating your blood pressure. A potassium deficiency can result in heart problems, including having a heart attack.
Adding pineapple to your meal plan boosts your potassium intake and helps your blood pressure stay at a healthy level. Statistics show that very few Americans get enough potassium, so adding pineapple to your diet is a healthy choice for just about anyone.
Contains Bromelain
Bromelain is a nutrient you can’t find in very many foods. However, pineapple contains a great dose of it, which is beneficial for several aspects of your health. One of its primary functions is to battle mucus build-up, which is why bromelain is so important for lessening the symptoms of a cold and loosening phlegm that builds up as a result of certain health conditions. Bromelain also neutralizes acid in your stomach, helping combat heartburn and acid reflux.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Because pineapple contains compounds that fight inflammation, it’s a great choice for people with arthritis, gout, carpel tunnel syndrome and other conditions that cause inflammation in the body. Not only that, but it can also alleviate the pain associated with these conditions. Enjoy pineapple on a regular basis for continued results.
Pineapple should never replace any type of treatment prescribed by your doctor. However, when used in conjunction with them, you can reap bigger benefits in a way that is natural and delicious at the same time. Talk to your doctor about whether pineapple is an appropriate addition to your treatment plan.
Improves Fertility
Research proves that women who eat a diet rich in antioxidants have an easier time conceiving a baby than women who don’t eat any fruit. Since pineapple is so rich in antioxidants, it’s not a bad choice for women who are trying to get pregnant.
Also, pineapple contains folate, a B vitamin that prevents neural tube defects and is absolutely vital for women in their childbearing years. Once pregnant, adequate amounts of folate are important for a healthy baby.
Promotes Healthy Gums
When your gums are unhealthy, it can affect other aspects of your health. In fact, research shows that gum disease can significantly increase your risk of developing heart problems, so it’s important to make sure you are caring for them properly. Pineapple offers a wealth of nutrients that protect and promote healthy gums.
You can reap the benefits from the fruit, but experts say that a glass of pineapple juice is just as effective. Pineapple does not replace regular dental care, so be sure to make a regular appointment with your dentist to stay on top of your oral health.
Including It In Your Diet
A serving of pineapple is one cup and satisfies more than 1/3 of your daily intake. You can eat pineapple plain, but it also makes a delicious addition to smoothies, fruit salad or lemonade. Toss pineapple into a stir-fry, or fried rice, or eat it in a fresh spinach salad with poppy seed dressing.
Fresh, canned and frozen pineapple offer similar nutrient contents and benefits, so choose what’s most convenient and affordable for you. You can find any of these choices at supermarkets, no matter what time of year it is. Not only will you truly enjoy the taste of pineapple, but you’ll love what it does for your overall health. Add it to your grocery list today!
