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When you think of pineapples, you might associate them with summertime and a beach vacation. Pineapple is a sweet and tart fruit that can be easily added to many recipes, from drinks to meats to desserts.

Pineapples are believed to have originated from the Brazilian rainforests. In 1943, when Christopher Columbus arrived at the new world, the Spaniards called pineapples “piñas” due to their resemblance to a pinecone. When the fruit spread its popularity across Europe, the word “apple” was added to the end to signify its deliciousness in terms of other fruits.¹

There are many health benefits you can get from adding pineapples to your meals. Here are 4 health benefits of eating pineapples!

Helps with Wound Healing and Swelling

Pineapples contain bromelain, which is a group of enzymes located in the stem and fruit of a pineapple plant. Bromelain is known to reduce swelling, bruising, and healing time, with studies linking it to helping with sprains, sinuses, strains, and tendinitis.²

One study infused bromelain into mamocellulose, which is created by food waste bacteria, and made a bandage with it. The researchers found that bromelain can remove the dead layer of skin and allows oxygen to get in to help begin the wound healing process.³

Improve Joint Pain

Bromelain is also known to help with conditions such as osteoarthritis because it can reduce pain and swelling. One study found that those with arthritis in the knee and shoulder improved significantly after taking 400 milligrams of bromelain twice a day.⁴

Pineapple contains vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. Vitamin C has been proven to be an antioxidant that can help reduce joint inflammation. Additionally, vitamin C helps aid in controlling the autoimmune response of those who have rheumatoid arthritis, and can prevent the condition from worsening.⁵

Improve Digestion

A cup of pineapple contains roughly 6-11% of the daily recommended fiber intake, with most of it being insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber helps move waste through your digestion system, which can decrease your chances of exposure to toxins as well as lower your risk of colon cancer.⁶

The bromelain in pineapple can break down and digest proteins because it can soften meat. This makes it easier for your body to absorb the nutrients it needs from the protein that you eat.⁷

Improve Bone Health

Pineapple is known to be a top source of manganese, a trace mineral that impacts your body’s overall bone health. It is estimated that a single cup of pineapple contains roughly 76% of the daily recommended intake of manganese.⁸

Manganese is known to improve bone health and prevent conditions such as osteoporosis, which is weak and brittle bones. Bone health is essential to keep up with as you age, as half of women and a quarter of men over 50 are estimated to have a fracture due to osteoporosis.⁹

How to Eat More Pineapples

Now that you know some pineapple health benefits, you might be looking for some ways to incorporate this fruit into your everyday diet. Here are some ways you can enjoy pineapple:

• Make a smoothie with pineapples as an ingredient
• Top your meats with pineapple
• Add pineapple to your yogurt
• Mix pineapple into your fruit salad
• Make pineapple popsicle sticks with frozen pineapple and yogurt
• Add pineapple to your water to flavor it
• Drink pineapple juice
• Add pineapple to your sandwiches
• Make pineapple s’mores
• Have pineapple pancakes for breakfast
• Roast pineapple with your vegetables
• Create pineapple salsa to top your tortilla chips

Try Adding Pineapple to Your Diet

Now that you know some of the best benefits of pineapples, we encourage you to look for recipes and ways to incorporate this fruit into your diet. You might be surprised to find a new favorite dish that includes pineapple in it!

Here at Saber Healthcare, we believe in taking steps to make sure our residents meet their nutritional goals. Our dietary team consistently works to develop and create menus that contain delicious food that meets our residents’ daily vitamin and mineral needs.

To learn more about Saber Healthcare and the services we offer, click here.

Saber Healthcare is an organization dedicated to providing consultant services to long term care providers. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to be seen as professional advice. Please consult with a medical expert before relying on the information provided.

Sources

1. “Pineapple.” Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Accessed 28 October 2022. Link: https://dpi.wi.gov/sites/default/files/imce/school-nutrition/pdf/fact-sheet-pineapple.pdf
2. “Bromelain.” Mount Sinai. 28 October 2022. Link: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/bromelain
3. New Delhi. “Know your food: Can pineapples be used to heal wounds? Brazilian study says yes.” The Indian Express. 24 July 2018. Accessed 28 October 2022. Link: https://indianexpress.com/article/lifestyle/health/pineapples-heal-wounds-health-benefits-of-pineapple-5273026/
4. Brien, Sarah et al. “Bromelain as a Treatment for Osteoarthritis: a Review of Clinical Studies.” Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM vol. 1,3 (2004): 251-257. doi:10.1093/ecam/neh035. Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC538506/
5. Eustice, Carol. Ozeri, David. “The Effects of Vitamin C on Arthritis.” Lasy Updated 3 June 2022. Accessed 28 October 2022. Link: https://www.verywellhealth.com/the-effects-of-vitamin-c-on-arthritis-190257
6. Bruso, Jessica. “The Dietary Fiber in Raw Pineapple.” SFGate. 27 November 2018. Accessed 28 October 2022. Link: https://healthyeating.sfgate.com/dietary-fiber-raw-pineapple-4875.html
7. Mikstas, Christine. “Health Benefits of Pineapple.” WebMD, Nourish. 26 May 2021. Accessed 28 October 2022. Link: https://www.webmd.com/diet/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-pineapple#:~:text=Good%20for%20Digestion&text=Pineapples%20are%20the%20only%20known,digest%20food%20and%20absorb%20it.
8. Lawler, Moria. Kennedy, Kelly. “8 Scientific Health Benefits of Pineapple.” Everyday Health. 5 June 2019. Accessed 28 October 2022. Link: https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/8-reasons-eat-pineapple/
9. “Manganese.” Mount Sinai. Accessed 28 October 2022. Link: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/manganese