Health Benefits of Pineapple Juice

pineapple-juiceDigestive Aid

Pineapple juice is an excellent digestive aid and it also has soothing properties that can heal and augment stomach and intestinal lining. Packed with both soluble and insoluble fibre it is an excellent treatment for infections of the intestinal tract and acts as a natural mild laxative. Enjoying pineapple juice between meals can smooth out the digestive process due to high levels of bromelain, an enzyme that proactively breaks down protein

Be warned however that too much of a good thing is still too much. Excessive consumption of pineapple juice can cause upset stomach and digestive distress.

Immunity Booster

Like other tropical fruits, pineapples are rich in vitamin C, an immune boosting nutrient also found in abundance in orange juice. A healthy immune system improves your body’s ability to fight off common sickness, infections, and other forms of illness. Additionally, Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant, or a nutrient that helps protect your body from the progressive damage of free radicals, age, and normal body deterioration. A diet that is rich in antioxidants will help protect against some forms of cardiovascular disease among other health benefits.

Relief from Morning Sickness

Research indicates that eating a healthy dose of pineapple in the morning can be an effective relief from the effects of morning sickness. To reap the same benefits, the same results can be achieved with a glass of pineapple juice. This has long been a folk remedy, but science suggests that the morning sickness relieving effects can be attributed to pineapple juice’s high vitamin B6 content, a known remedy for pregnancy related stomach distress.

To get the most out of pineapple for this purpose, drink a glass of juice first thing in the morning.

Weight Loss Aid

When on a weight loss diet, foods that provide a feeling of satiety without a high calorie count quickly become staples. Pineapple juice fits the bill on both counts; it provides a feeling of fullness and energy without being a high calorie drink. This is due in part to the fact that, like many tropical fruits, pineapple is high in water content and as mentioned before is high in fibre.

A recipe for a pineapple based weight loss aid tincture is as follows: cut a fresh pineapple into chunks. Process the chunks with a meat grinder or a food processor (don’t turn it all the way into mush). Add a pint of vodka and store the mixture in the fridge for seven days. Fifteen minutes before meals, take one teaspoon to aid with weight loss and continue as needed.

Reduces Blood Pressure

Hypertension is the medical term for chronic high blood pressure and the high potassium content of fresh pineapple juice helps reduce blood pressure. Conversely foods that are high in sodium can raise blood pressure, and a high sodium diet greatly increases the risk of hypertension. Pineapple juice is high in potassium and low in sodium, making it a great way to feel full, feel energized, and combat the negative health effects of hypertension.

Combats Inflammation

Bromelain, the same enzyme that aids in digestion is also a powerful anti-inflammatory. This includes inflammation due to minor sprains and bruises as well as chronic sources of inflammation such as that associated with conditions like arthritis and gout. While pineapple juice won’t cure chronic pain conditions it will contribute to lessening inflammation and pain, though remember that too much will lead to an upset stomach.

Contributes to Eye Health

In addition to immune boosting vitamin C, pineapples are also rich in vitamin A which contributes to improved eye health and fights the progress of macular degeneration which is tied to the age-related loss of vision among the elderly. Research suggests that doubling up on the dosage can have tremendous effects—an Archives of Ophthalmology study suggests that three or more servings of pineapple a day can reduce the risk of macular degeneration by 36% versus those who consume half as much.

Contributes to Bone Health

In addition to your digestive system, your skeletal system can benefit from the regular consumption of pineapple juice as well. Pineapples have a concentration of manganese, a trace mineral that can contribute to healthy bones and stave off the effects of bone density loss. Loss of bone density can lead to osteoporosis, a condition where bones become brittle and easily damaged.

Like the antioxidant vitamin C, manganese also protects against the damaging effects of free radicals meaning that regular consumption of pineapple juice can slow the effects of aging and reduce the risk of chronic diseases and even reduce the risk of cancer. It doesn’t take much pineapple to reap the benefits either; a cup of chunked pineapple contributes roughly three-quarters of the daily value of manganese.

Clears and Nourishes Skin

The antioxidant properties of vitamin C can repair daily skin damage and lighten skin. Together with providing a boost to skin elasticity and reducing dead skin cell count, daily servings of pineapple juice can produce healthy, glowing skin. Plus, the overall effects of aging on skin are reduced due to the age slowing effects of antioxidants.

Don’t just eat the fruit or drink the juice: incorporate the rejuvenating effects of pineapple into your beauty regimen by adding pineapple pulp or juice to your skin masks. Alternatively, rubbing the fresh cut fruit on your face then rinsing after fifteen minutes will produce similar effects.

Supports Oral and Dental Health

What can’t vitamin C do? Vitamin C rich pineapple juice can help reduce the formation of plaque on teeth and less plaque means a lower risk of gum disease. Studies have linked diets low in vitamin C to poor periodontal health so even if you aren’t convinced that pineapple juice is the way to go, get your vitamin C somehow!

Remember the inflammation fighting and digestion aiding bromelain? It has also been found to be a stain remover which means that it can help whiten teeth. Pineapple juice is a double edged sword in this respect however; acidic foods soften teeth and erode enamel. This means a through rinse with water after your daily pineapple (juice or whole fruit) will help get all of the benefits and reduce the detriments.
As a brief reminder, canned pineapple chunks are often packed in syrup and no matter how light, sugary syrup will counteract any positive oral health effects that the pineapple wold have conferred. Opt for fresh pineapple whenever possible for the optimal health benefit.

Enhances Fertility

For women particularly, reproductive health can be improved with regular servings of pineapple. Antioxidants (like vitamin C and bromelain) not only fight free radicals but contribute positively to reproductive health and fertility. Copper, zinc, beta-carotene, and folate all also contribute to reproductive health in both men and women, and all are found in notable quantity in pineapple so couples trying to get pregnant should up their pineapple intake.

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