The pineapple is a tropical plant with edible fruit, also called a pineapple and the most economically significant plant in the family Bromeliaceae. The pineapple is indigenous to South America, where it has been cultivated for many centuries, according to online sources.
Pineapple is packed with nutrients, antioxidants and other helpful compounds, such as enzymes that can fight inflammation and disease.
Erick Musengimana, a nutritionist at Rwanda Diabetes Association, Kigali, says pineapple and its compounds for long have been linked to many health benefits, including aiding digestion, boosting immunity and speeding up recovery from surgery, among others.
Nutrient value
Musengimana says this sweet fruit is low in calories but has an incredibly impressive nutrient profile.
He says it also contains amounts of vitamins A and K, phosphorus, zinc and calcium.
Aside from this, pineapples are especially rich in vitamin C and manganese, providing the required vitamins when consumed.
He explains that vitamin C is essential for growth and development, a healthy immune system and aiding the absorption of iron from the diet, therefore, consuming this fruit on a regular basis becomes essential.
Meanwhile, Musengimana says pineapples contain manganese as well.
"Magnesium is a naturally occurring mineral that aids growth, maintains healthy metabolism and has antioxidant properties,” he says.
In addition to containing loads of vitamin C, Rene Tabaro, a nutritionist at King Faisal Hospital, says the manganese helps strengthens bones and connecting tissues.
He adds that the manganese helps in preventing osteoporosis in post-menopausal women.
On top of this, Tabaro says due to the high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C, pineapple reduces the risk of macular degeneration, an eye disease, causing vision loss.
Also, it contains a lot of beta carotene – an essential element needed for healthy vision that should be consumed regularly.
Amon Rwasamanzi, a nutritionist at USAID-HINGA WEZE, an NGO, says not only are pineapples rich in nutrients, but also loaded with healthy antioxidants.
Antioxidants are molecules that help the body combat oxidative stress.
He explains that oxidative stress is a state in which there are too many free radicals in the body.
"These free radicals interact with the body’s cells and cause damage that is linked to chronic inflammation, a weakened immune system and many harmful diseases,” he says.
Pineapples, he says, are especially rich in antioxidants known as flavonoids and phenolic acids.
What’s more, the nutritionist says, many of the antioxidants in pineapple are bound.
"This allows the antioxidants to survive harsher conditions in the body and produce longer-lasting effects,” he adds.
Other benefits
Musengimana says pineapples contain a group of digestive enzymes known as bromelain.
He notes that these enzymes function as proteases, which break down protein molecules into their building blocks, such as amino acids and small peptides.
Once protein molecules are broken down, they are more easily absorbed across the small intestine. This can be especially helpful for people with pancreatic insufficiency, a condition in which the pancreas cannot make enough digestive enzymes, Musengimana says.
Bromelain is also widely used as a meat tenderiser due to its ability to break down tough meat proteins.
Because of the huge level of anti-inflammatory, bromelain and vitamin C, Musengimana says, pineapples can be a great remedy for treating nasty colds and cough.
Studies have shown that pineapple and its compounds can help fight against diseases like cancer.
Cancer is a chronic disease characterised by uncontrolled cell growth.
Its progression is commonly linked to oxidative stress and chronic inflammation.
This, Musengimana explains, is because they may minimise oxidative stress and reduce inflammation.
Also, he adds that pineapple helps to tighten up gum tissues and even prevent oral cancer.
In fact, Musengimana says pineapples are often prescribed to fix the loosening of teeth or the retraction of the gums.