I’m currently loving pineapple! Not only is this tropical fruit in its peak season, making it extra sweet and delicious, but it’s also immune boosting which is so important right now. Besides helping fight off infections and flu like symptoms, pineapple’s also a healthy choice for so many other reasons, which is why I love incorporating it into my diet.
BROMELAIN
Pineapple is unique because it contains the enzyme bromelain which has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling properties and is known to help fight cancer cells. Although the whole pineapple contains bromelain, most of these enzymes are found in the stem which is inedible, so you can take a bromelain supplement to reap the benefits.
Bromelain is also very beneficial for the skin, which is why it’s often used topically as well. One of my all-time favourite beauty brands, Josie Maran, just came out with an amazing Pineapple Enzyme Pore Cleaning Cleanser that enables the pineapple and bromelain to work their magic, allowing for a purifying, glowing and refreshing complexion.
BENEFITS OF PINEAPPLE
In addition to the benefits of bromelain, this fruit has many other benefits as well.
VITAMIN C
Pineapple is a great source of vitamin C. Besides helping boost our immune system, this antioxidant is a necessity for many aspects of our health including building connective tissues, promoting collagen and helping with skin inflammation and irritations.
FERTILITY
Pineapple is known to have positive effects on fertility. The high levels of vitamin C can help fight off free radicals that harm the reproductive system as well as assist in boosting a male’s sperm count.
DIGESTION
Often referred to as a meat tenderizer, pineapple is rich in digestive enzymes and can help us digest proteins better. It’s also high in fiber so it can help with constipation and reduce bloating.
CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
Between the bromelain, the fiber, the vitamin C and several other properties, eating pineapple can have positive effects on your heart health and can help to reduce cardiovascular disease.
ASTHMA
As a natural anti-inflammatory due to the elevated presence of bromelain, pineapple it’s known to help with respiratory issues like asthma which is an inflammatory disease of the airways.
MENTAL HEALTH
Tryptophan is an amino acid that is used to produce serotonin and it’s found in high levels in pineapple. Serotonin plays a big role in our mental health and helps put us in a good mood and reduce depression and anxiety.
Whether you’re adding pineapple to a smoothie, eating it as a snack or using it in a savory dish for a touch of sweetness, there are so many advantages to eating pineapple that it’s never a bad decision to include it in your diet!
Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash
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