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Superfood of the Day-Pineapple!

By July 30, 2019Super Foods

Almost everyone loves a pineapple-even kids! Here’s some good news- this tropical fruit is an amazing anti-inflammatory and digestive aid. The pineapple fruit is believed to be originated in Paraguay and southern Brazil. It was later cultivated throughout South America by the natives, before it reached the Caribbean. In 1493, Christopher Columbus discovered the pineapple fruit on the Caribbean island of Guadalupe. When the second voyage of reached the Caribbean island, Columbus’s crew went ashore to the Carib village, they found heaps of freshly gathered vegetables and fruits, including pineapples. Christopher Columbus decided to take them back with him.

When Columbus introduced pineapples to Europe, they became very popular. During those times, pineapples literally crowned the most important banquets. They were often held aloft on special pedestals. Ships brought the preserved pineapples from the Caribbean islands like expensive ornaments. The fresh pineapple fruit was even more costly and difficult to obtain as only few fast ships could deliver fresh pineapples in a good condition, and that also if the fruit could survive the climate. Pineapples became a celebrity fruit and a curiosity for epicureans and horticulturists as well.

It is believed that the Spanish introduced the first pineapples to Hawaii, in 1527, on the Big Island. Then, it is believed to have spread in Asia and West Indies. It took two centuries of efforts for the European gardeners to be able to find a method for growing pineapple plants. Thus, up to the 16th century, the pineapple remained uncommon.

What’s so great about this amazing fruit? Let me count the ways… 

1. Fight Free Radicals

One of the top pineapple juice benefits lies in the health doses of antioxidants the fruit contains. Pineapples contain A LOT of Vitamin C, one of the most important antioxidants for a healthy immune system. Vitamin C is also very effective at getting rid of free radicals, and you’ll find that adding pineapple juice to your day will help to reduce the damage these radicals can do to your body.

2. Prevent Heart Disease

For men who are worried about their heart, one of the primary pineapple juice benefits is its ability to fight heart disease. The Vitamin C in pineapple juice will prevent the oxidation of cholesterol, thereby preventing it from turning into artery-clogging plaque. Pineapples are also loaded with potassium, the mineral that helps to balance the amount of water your body stores. Too much sodium and not enough potassium can lead to high blood pressure, so drinking the potassium-rich pineapple juice is an excellent way to ensure your electrolytes are balanced.

3. Promote Weight Loss

What stops you from losing weight? Often, it’s just a desire for something sweet and tasty. (Stupid cravings!) Pineapples are loaded with natural sugar, making pineapple juice very effective at dealing with those sugar cravings you get while on a diet. Pineapples also help you to feel full if you eat them at the close of a meal, so it’s a good idea to finish off your lunch or dinner with a glass of pineapple juice.

4. Boost Immunity

Vitamin C is one of the most powerful antioxidants in the world, and yet the average person gets nowhere near enough of it. If you want to stay healthy, you’ll add more of the vitamin to your diet. It will give your immune system a boost, ensuring that your body is protected from the myriad bacteria, viruses, fungi, and germs you come in contact with every day. Pineapples also contain bromelain, a compound that can fight off microbes and germs. It’s even recommended that you try pineapple to deal with coughs and colds!

5. Prevent Cancer

Pineapples aren’t just effective at fighting free radicals (as mentioned above), but they can also deal with cancer directly. Men will find that pineapple juice benefits for men affect them, as the juice has proven effective at fighting prostate cancer. It’s thanks to the beta-carotene in the pineapple that cancer is dealt with effectively!

6. Improve Digestion

Pineapples are loaded with healthy fiber, but there’s none of that fiber in the juice you squeeze from your pineapple. What there is, however, is lots of liquid! The high water content of pineapples (ergo, pineapple juice) helps to reduce your risk of constipation, improves the health of your digestive system overall, and ensures regular waste elimination. Pineapple juice is excellent at keeping your digestive tract healthy!

If you can’t eat pineapple try a supplement called Bromelain. It contains the anti-inflammatory enzymes of pineapple.

Grab some pineapple today! Happy Healthy Eating! Dana 

https://www.ibuzzle.com/articles/history-of-pineapples.html

http://www.healthambition.com

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