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Pineapple is a delicious tropical fruit that has historically been a symbol of hospitality and luxury. The fruit was named by Europeans because it resembled pine combs. But it’s no wonder why this yellow fruit that originated in South America became so treasured.
Pineapple is truly a superfood that is packed full of vitamins, antioxidants, and health benefits, according to Everyday Health. People have used pineapple in traditional healing for centuries, you can too.
Even though it is a tropical fruit, pineapple is available all year long either fresh, frozen, or canned. But be sure to purchase pineapple that is canned in its own juice and not sweetened with syrup. So whether you love it in fruit salads, smoothies, roasted, or even as a pizza topping; here are five of the best reasons you should eat pineapple.
Highly Nutritious
Pineapple is full of the vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Just one cup gives you 88 percent of your daily requirement of vitamin C which can help boost your immunity and help you feel your best, according to WebMD. Pineapple also contains vitamins A,B6,E, and K as well as folate, and essential minerals that include iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc.
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Loaded with Antioxidants
Pineapples aren’t just nutrient dense, the superfruit also is loaded with antioxidants – called flavonoids and phenolic compounds – that help fight the oxidative stress that is linked to chronic inflammation, heart disease, diabetes, and some forms of cancer, according to Healthline. These antioxidants are considered bound antioxidants which means that the benefits last longer.
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Good for Your Gut
This tropical fruit also aides your digestion, especially of meat. That’s because pineapple contains bromelain that breaks down protein molecules into amino acids and peptides that allows your small intestine to absorb what it needs. The fiber content in pineapple also helps your gut health by keeping you regular.
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Could Boost Immunity
The nutrients in pineapple, especially Vitamin C, helps to boost your immune system, stressed Everyday Health. This has been scientifically proven in the case of school children. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition and Metabolism found that children who ate canned pineapple over a nine-week period were less likely to have bacterial and viral infections.
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Helps Ease Inflammation
Pineapple could also help with chronic inflammation from arthritis conditions like osteoarthritis, according to Healthline. That’s due to bromalin’s anti-inflammatory properties but this proactive enzyme also helps to relieve pain. This can be very beneficial for people with these chronic conditions.
