Why Is Pineapple So Good For You? Here Are All The Benefits For Your Body

Who has never tasted a slice of juicy and fragrant pineapple? This exotic fruit, with its characteristic shape and sweet and sour flavor, is loved all over the world. But in addition to being a pleasure for the palate, pineapple hides numerous beneficial properties for our health. Here's why this tropical fruit is so appreciated and what are its virtues.

Properties and Benefits of Pineapple

Pineapple is native to South America, more precisely to the tropical areas of Brazil, Paraguay and Bolivia. In these regions, it grew spontaneously in the rainforests, where the natives had cultivated and consumed it for centuries. It was Christopher Columbus, during his travels, who discovered the pineapple and brought it to Europe:  the fruit immediately aroused great curiosity and admiration for its exotic appearance and unique flavor.

But in addition to its unique and refreshing flavor, pineapple is also loved for the nutritional properties it provides: it contains important vitamins such as C, A, and vitamins B1, B6 and B9 (folates), but also important mineral salts such as potassium, manganese and copper. Finally, it contains bromelain, a digestive enzyme that helps break down proteins: this is also why the false myth that pineapple helps you lose weight has spread. Bromelain, an enzyme that acts on the liver and intestine and promotes the digestion of proteins, has a diuretic effect on our body, it helps us eliminate excess fluids, but not lose weight.

Here are the most important benefits of pineapple:

1. Digestive, Diuretic and Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Bromelain, found in pineapple, aids in the digestion of proteins and can help reduce inflammation and abdominal swelling (but it does not help with weight loss, as we have already said). It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce pain and swelling associated with trauma or injury.

2. Helps The Immune System

Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant, which can strengthen the immune system and protect us from infections.

3. Cardiovascular Health

Potassium helps regulate blood pressure, while antioxidants protect the heart from cardiovascular disease.

4. Skin Health

Vitamin C contributes to the production of collagen, essential for healthy skin.

Contraindications of Pineapple

Like all foods, pineapple can also have small contraindications: for example, in rare cases, pineapple can cause allergic reactions. In addition, excessive consumption of pineapple can cause stomach irritation and gastrointestinal disorders in some people. Pineapple can interact with some medications, such as anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs: it is therefore advisable to consult your doctor before consuming large quantities of pineapple if you are taking these medications. When should you avoid consuming pineapple?

• Peptic ulcer. The acidity of pineapple can worsen ulcer symptoms .
• Pregnancy. It is advisable to moderate pineapple consumption during pregnancy, as it may cause uterine contractions.
• Breastfeeding. Pineapple can alter the taste of breast milk and cause colic in the baby.