Pineapple is a sour fruit that is very popular worldwide for its flavour, aroma and, above all, for its nutritional properties. This tropical fruit is an excellent food that benefits our health.
Table of Contents
What is pineapple?
Pineapple ( Ananas comosus) is a tropical fruit known as pineapple, pineapple, naná, matzatli or American pineapple.
It is a fleshy fruit within the group of acidic fruits, such as lemon, although it may have a sweet taste depending on the maturation.
They have an oval shape with tough skin with brown tones, protected with scales and decorated in the upper part with very striking green leaves in the form of a crown.
The interior is very fleshy yellow or white. Some of these fruits can weigh up to 2 kg.
Origin of pineapple
Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is native to South America. It is not known for sure where the first crops were found. Thanks to some studies, we can locate its origin, almost in all probability, in regions of the countries of Brazil and Paraguay.
The pineapple is native to Brazil and Paraguay.
It seems that, from these regions mentioned, the cultivation of this food moved to Peru, Venezuela and other areas of the Amazon.
Due to the popularity it was acquiring, its cultivation spread rapidly throughout Latin America.
Thanks to the discovery of the new world, as has happened with other foods, today we can enjoy this excellent fruit and its benefits in Europe.
It is said that Christopher Columbus brought her to Spain from the Island of Guadalupe in Brazil. At first, this food was very scarce in Europe, so it was considered a natural fruit and within the reach of a few.
Why is it called pineapple?
The pineapple (Ananas comosus), widely known as a tropical fruit, coincides in its name with the pine fruit.
In addition, this tropical fruit is known as pineapple due to its similarity to the fruit of the pine tree.
Therefore, pineapple comes from Latin, precisely from the word ” piena,” which in turn comes from the word ” pinus,” which corresponds to pine.
It is also known as pineapple or other variants of this term since, in the indigenous language of Brazil, Tupi means ” delicious fruit ” or ” excellent fruit .”
Pineapple production
We have already talked about where it comes from and the origin of this fruit, but where is it currently grown?
In the middle of the 19th century, pineapple cultivation spread through Australia, South Africa and Hawaii, although currently, the primary producers are Costa Rica, Brazil and the Philippines.
In Spain, we can find the cultivation of pineapple in regions of Murcia or the Canary Islands.
How do you eat pineapple?
I never tire of repeating that the best way to eat fruits is naturally, raw and fresh, but in the case of this one, it can be consumed in different ways and in other recipes.
In addition to being raw, we can consume it as juice or ingredients in other drinks such as smoothies.
We can also find it canned, which is an excellent way to consume it out of season, although it is essential not to abuse it because of the amount of sugar that these preserves contain.
It is a highly recommended option for breakfast, raw, as a smoothie or juice, combined with yogurt or as an ingredient in a fruit salad.
In addition, it is also used for recipes of different sweets. They combine very well with other dishes, such as pizzas that became very popular in Hawaii, salads, stir-fries and an endless variety of recipes that this food contains.
Pineapple season
Pineapple is a tropical fruit. However, some of the varieties of this fruit are produced in Spain, specifically on the east coast of Andalusia and Murcia.
In these regions, the ideal time to harvest the fruit is winter. However, it depends on the year and the season. They can be collected a little earlier.
We can find fresh pineapple in our markets during the rest of the months, but it is not of national origin. It is usually imported from Chile, among other South American countries.
You can check the calendar of the fruit season to be able to consume these foods at their most optimal moment. In addition, when they are in season, they provide us with more benefits for our health; they have a better aroma and are tastier, among other advantages.
Seasonal pineapple characteristics
Pineapple can be found in our markets practically throughout the year thanks to the variety of countries that grow it. Still, knowing that this fruit only matures satisfactorily on the plant is essential.
Its nutritional properties are doubled in the last weeks of maturation in the plant, where it acquires its sweet taste due to the amount of sugar.
This maturation, the process of adding sugar and nutritional properties, is paralyzed if it is done outside the plant. In this way, food with less dietary properties and more acidic, therefore of poorer quality, is obtained.
The fruit obtains an optimal amount of carbohydrates if the plant’s ripening process has been correct. It is about 11% of the nutrients.
Pineapple Properties
It is a fruit with a high water content reaching up to 85%, making it a deficient calorie food. Likewise, the nutrients that it provides us make these fruits have a high nutritional value. With all this, the contribution of antioxidants and other components, such as plant enzymes, is worth noting.
These fruits are rich in vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C and manganese.
The consumption of pineapples is favourable for our health, with various benefits related to digestion, the immune system and the reduction of inflammation.
Pineapple vitamins
Fresh and raw pineapple is rich in vitamins, in which we can highlight vitamin C as the most abundant. It is what contributes to the protection of cells against oxidative damage.
We can also find Vitamins A, B1 and folic acid, but to a lesser extent.
Pineapple minerals
It also contains various minerals, such as potassium, manganese, magnesium, and iron.
Iodine contributes to normal energy metabolism and the production of thyroid hormones for normal thyroid function.
Non-nutritive components
Among the non-nutritive components of pineapple, organic, citric and malic acids stand out, responsible for its acid taste.
Bromelain
This fruit has an enzyme known as bromelain or bromelain that has very beneficial properties for our health.
The most remarkable property of this enzyme or ferment with proteolytic action is the ability to digest the proteins in food, breaking down the protein molecules and leaving the amino acids that form them free, which can help us with digestion.
Nutritional information per 100 grams of raw pineapple:
Energetic value | 50 kcal |
Protein | 0,5 g |
Carbohydrates | 11,5 g |
Fiber | 1,2 g |
Water | 86,8 g |
Football | 12 mg |
Iron | 0,15 mg |
Iodine | 30 μg |
Magnesium | 14 mg |
Zinc | 0,15 mg |
Sodium | 2 mg |
Potassium | 250 mg |
Match | 11 mg |
Thiamine | 0,07 mg |
Riboflavin | 0,02 mg |
Vitamin B6 | 0,09 mg |
Niacin | 0,3 mg |
Folates | 11 μg |
C vitamin | 20 mg |
Vitamin A | 13 μg |
Vitamin E | 0,1 mg |
Pineapple benefits
It is a sour fruit with a sweet taste and a delicious aroma. It is juicy and straightforward to eat; the whole family also likes it.
Among its benefits, we can distinguish the following:
1. A digestive fruit
This fruit is mainly indicated to help us with heavy digestion or for people who find it challenging to do normal digestion.
This digestive aid that this food has is thanks to bromelain. In addition, it intervenes with the production of gastric juices—an ally for our digestive system.
In this way, bromelain breaks down protein molecules into smaller amino acids and peptides. Consequently, these nutrients are more easily absorbed in our small intestines.
Likewise, bromelain also helps us digest meat thanks to its ability to break down its proteins.
Consuming this fruit may be contraindicated for people who suffer from stomach ulcers or gastritis, so consult a health professional or dietitian.
2. Help with weight loss diets
This fruit is indicated to be incorporated into diets to lose weight since it has a lot of water, is low in calories and is rich in vitamins and minerals.
The digestive function that benefits us in weight loss processes is also remarkable.
3. Satiating action
As it contains a lot of water and fibre, it is a fruit that makes us feel satiated, making it a satisfying food.
4. Laxative effect
Thanks to its high fibre content, we can say that this food has laxative properties and is an excellent intestinal regulator. Fibre is also involved in lowering blood cholesterol levels and controlling blood glucose.
5. Purifying fruit
Pineapple contributes to the liver’s proper functioning, making it a cleansing fruit.
It can help us eliminate fluids and toxins from our bodies. Its consumption is recommended for people who suffer from fluid retention or want to reduce their body volume because of these fluids. It benefits the proper functioning of our renal system.
6. Natural antioxidant
It is a food rich in healthy antioxidant nutrients that help us reduce the oxidative process in our bodies.
Minerals such as potassium, iron, magnesium, zinc and iodine are essential in their antioxidant action that combats the cellular aging process.
In addition, pineapples are rich in antioxidant components known as flavonoids and phenolic acids.
These antioxidants of different natures can have longer-lasting effects on pineapple. In addition, they are favourable to reducing the risk of certain diseases.
7. Favorable for our natural defences
Because it is a fruit rich in vitamin C, it helps us strengthen our defences and is ideal for relieving colds and colds.
Manganese can also help us support the immune system and our bones.
In addition, it provides us with a set of vitamins, minerals and enzymes such as bromelain. Therefore, it is favourable for nourishing our immune system and suppressing inflammation.
It seems that the anti-inflammatory properties of certain foods are directly related to the proper functioning of the immune system.
8. Natural muscle recuperator
It is true that intense exercise can damage muscle tissue and is affected for up to three days. Some studies explain how substances such as bromelain accelerate muscle damage recovery from intense exercise. It is produced by reducing inflammation of damaged muscle tissue.
Benefits of eating pineapple on an empty stomach
Eating pineapple on an empty stomach is one of the best ways to start the day. This time, our body is predisposed to assimilate all the properties and benefits for our health that this fantastic tropical fruit possesses.
conclusion
Certainly and to conclude, we are talking about a food whose consumption is very beneficial for our health. They are delicious, they are low in calories, and they provide us with a variety of nutrients and antioxidants.
Consequently, pineapple is a fruit with very beneficial properties for our health, which we recommend including in the diet.
My name is Ellie Lauderdale, MD and I am USA based professional Nutritionist .
I am a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and board certified specialist in sports dietetics who is trained in integrative medicine. I have worked with hundreds of clients, from those suffering with chronic disease to professional and olympian athletes. My goal is to help optimize you from the inside so that you can feel, perform, and look your best on the outside.