Pineapple Pieces

Its interesting that Stacey mentioned pineapples in her latest article (Fresh vs Frozen veges) as I've been in to them for the past 3 weeks eversince they started appearing in my local fruit and vege shop.

I hadn't been too keen in the past as they used to give me sore lips but I thought I'll give them another go as I do enjoy their sweet/sour taste - mmm makes my mouth water just thinking about it. 

Maybe it wasn't actually me making the decision to buy them but subconsiously my body was craving pineapples for its anti inflammatory properties.  As you know, my body has been a little out of sync. I have sore shoulder and my joints are a little achy.  Could be onset of aging or general overuse.

"Bromelain aids digestion by enhancing the effects of the digestive enzymes trypsin and pepin. It can also help to prevent heartburn by ease diarrhea, if either are caused by a deficiency of digestive enzymes. Bromelain supplements often contain a plant pigment called quercetin. The two substances are found in combination simply because they enhance each other's antiinflammatory actions, and that bromelain appears to improve quercetin absorption."

I'm a total believer in achieving good health naturally and getting your nutrition from food and pineapples provide alot of benefits:

1. It lessens risk of hypertension. Hypertension occurs when too much force is exerted on the artery walls while the blood circulates. One of the best ways to combat this is to infuse a high amount of potassium plus a small amount of sodium in your diet to lower blood pressure. Pineapples are the perfect for hypertension because a cup of pineapple contains about 1 mg of sodium and 195 mg of potassium.

2. It maintains good eye health Time and again, studies have found that pineapples protect against age-related eye problems because it is rich in antioxidants.

3. It fights a lot of diseases, being rich in Vitamin C.Pineapples are known to be a very good source of vitamin C, which protects our bodies from free radicals that attack our healthy cells. Lots of free radicals in the body can lead to major diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and various cancers. Vitamin C is considered the most important water-soluble anti-oxidant that fights against disease-inducing substances within the body. It is also an excellent fighter against flu and a great enhancer of the immune system.

4. It prevents plaque and keeps teeth healthy. Another benefit of the high amount of vitamin C in pineapples is that it prevents formation of plaque and gum diseases.

5. It cures constipation and irregular bowel movement. Pineapple is rich in fiber, making it effective in curing constipation and irregular bowel movement.

6. It keeps your skin beautiful! Pineapple contains enzymes that make skin elastic, improve skin hydration, and remove damaged and dead cells. Thus, it helps us achieve a clear and glowing complexion. The enzymes in pineapples also fight free-radical damage and can reduce age spots and fine lines.

How to have it
Personally I've never been into mixing my fruit and meat together at same time or have it with one of my main meals as it makes me feel seedy.  I've proposed the question of mixing fruit and meat to Stacey, so hopefully she'll give us her opinion on mixing these in one of her updates.

Ofcoure your pineapple has to be fresh as nutrition of the pineapple could've been destroyed during the canning process. Plus canned fruit usually contains sugar and we don't need extra calories do we?

Lately I've been having a slice of pineapple about an hour after my meals to help curb that sugar craving.  Its been great having it around 4pm as this is the time I'm usually wanting something sweet before dinner and pineapple seems to be hitting the spot at present.


Needless to say Pineapple Lumps don't count!!!

Now I'm hoping the price of Pineapples come down so I can enjoy them more regularly.

Bon Appetite
Lisa, Go Figure
14 Apr 10