Pineapple

Although most fruits are sweet, they tend to be low in calories. But they are a good source of fibre, and are packed with nutrients. Fruits contain both soluble and insoluble fibre. The soluble fibre helps to lower blood cholesterol levels and insoluble fibre helps to prevent constipation.

The World Health Organization recommends that everyone should try to eat at least five portions of different fruit each day.

The pineapple (Ananas comosus), which is considered an exotic fruit, is a native fruit of America and has a long tradition in Mexico

Pineapples were first discovered by Europeans in 1493 on the Caribbean island. Christopher Columbus brought pineapples back to Europe after an expedition to South America.

With a tuft of spiky, a regal crown of spiny, dusty blue green leaves, and cross-hatched, a scaly green, brown or yellow or golden orange skin, the pineapple is spiny from the outside and sweet and fibrous yellow fleshy inside. Traditional folk medicine credits the sweet, juicy flesh of the pineapple with various healing powers.

Pineapples should be picked when ripe because they do not ripe once removed from the plant.
The good indicators of ripeness are fruit with fresh green leaves and a sweet, fairly strong fragrance.

Prior to research, fresh pineapple was used in folk medicine to treat sore throats, catarrh, arthritis, bronchitis and indigestion.
Individuals with type 1 diabetes who consume pineapple may have lower blood glucose levels, and individuals with type 2 diabetes may have improved blood sugar, lipids, and insulin levels.
The fresh fruit contains an enzyme called Bromelain which breaks down proteins.
It is used medicinally in concentrated tablet form for patients who cannot digest proteins.
It helps to dissolve blood clots and thus useful in the treatment of heart diseases.
It also helps to combat sinus blocking and urinary tract infections.
It is also used to enhance the effect of antibiotics and used as an anti-inflammatory agent for the treatment of osteo and rheumatoid arthritis.
As it also accelerates tissue repair, it is used for sports injuries such as bruises, blisters and sprains.

Nutrition Profile  

It is a storehouse of  nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, including potassium, copper, manganese, calcium, magnesium, vitamin C, beta carotene,  thiamine, B6, and folate, as well as soluble and insoluble fibre, and bromelain.

The vitamin C content of pineapples acts as an antioxidant and is mainly associated with reducing illnesses and boosting the immune system by stimulating the activity of white blood cells.
It also helps to fight skin damage caused by the sun and pollution, reduce wrinkles, and improves overall skin texture.

Beta carotene of pineapple helps delay macular degeneration, a vision problem of elderly people.

In rare cases, fresh pineapple can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals and a severe reaction needs immediate medical attention.