Remember when I shared with you all the chemist details and health benefits of lemon? Well, I have another post today just like that.
Today we are sharing the scientifically proven reasons why pineapple is beneficial for you. Yes! Pineapple is delicious, juicy, and so tasty, and just like all fruits, it is good for you.
But, pineapple is uniquely good for you due to the chemical composition. Isn’t it awesome that a fruit, like pineapple, can look pretty, taste amazing, and be really good for you!
Another reason I love chemistry!
First, let’s talk about what prominent chemicals are in pineapple.
7+ Scientifically Proven Reasons Why Pineapple is Beneficial For You!
Vitamins | Citric and Malic Acids
Just like with most citrus fruits, pineapple contains all your acidity. It has a good amount of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), as well as vitamin A.
Pineapples also contain small amounts of Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) and even a larger amount of folate (folic acid). Be sure to read this list of nutritional data for more of a breakdown in numbers.
Minerals
Pineapple has a large list of minerals contained in the fruit. An analysis of fresh pineapple juice showed high amounts of zinc, potassium, phosphorus and magnesium, along with traces of manganese, iron and sodium.
Side note: This experiment of fresh pineapple juice and deacidified (processed pineapple juice) is an interesting study showing how much more nutrients are in the fresh version. I am always a huge advocate for eating non-processed fruits for this very reason!
Bromelain
This is the big one in the world of chemicals, and perhaps what makes pineapple so unique!
The bromeliad family is made up of plants like pineapples, scarlet star, and Spanish moss. Most of these plants are very tropical looking and almost like succulents and cactus. The interesting thing about this family of plants, is the pineapple is the only one that is edible!
Chemically, bromelain extract is a mixture of proteolytic enzyme which is a protein digesting enzyme.
Bromelain plays a key part in the nutrition and health benefit aspect of pineapple.
So, now let’s dive into the incredible scientifically proven reasons why pineapple is beneficial for you!
Yep, all of those above are scientifically proven to benefit your help. Here are the details:
Reduces Inflammation
Thanks to bromelain, pineapple has been scientifically proven to reduce inflammation in the body. Many studies show that it is just as effective as a drug, which is why this enzyme is extracted from pineapple and used in various things.
It helps reduce inflammation like post operational swelling which can be internally or externally. Bromelain is even approved in Germany as a post-injury medication because it can reduce inflammation!
Incredible Digestive Aid
Thanks again to this chemical, bromelain, pineapple is one of the most well-known digestive aids. Since it is a protein digestive enzyme, it is especially helpful in breaking down foods that your body may be having a hard time with.
Energy Booster
With high levels of vitamin B1, along with the other benefits, pineapple is an incredible energy booster. It helps turn carbohydrates into energy and helps with proper muscle function.
Sinusitis
I researched this a little bit a few years ago, and was surprised how many studies showed pineapple was good for your sinuses! It is shown to help reduce mucous in the throat. This is another benefit of bromelain.
Bone Health
One of the minerals I mentioned was phosphorus. Phosphorus plays a key role in our bodies for bone health and formation. Your body needs more than just calcium for that. Calcium actually needs he phosphorous to maximize the benefits. I learned about this in biochemistry in college, and I thought that was very interesting! This article from the US National Library of Medicine goes into more detail on that.
Immune Booster
Of course, with high levels of vitamin C, pineapple is great for the immune system. Since there are also high levels of Vitamin A, it contains many antioxidants, making it great for your immune system.
Arthritis
I always have to state this since I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, and I have spent many years researching every food claim out there that states it helps RA.
Since pineapple is chemically proven as an anti-inflammatory and good for bone health, then it is definitely a great option for arthritis. Most of the research I have read, confirms this more for osteoarthritis, which helps that type of joint pain.
I have been eating pineapple for years for RA. It isn’t a magical formula for the joint swelling, but I can always tell a difference when I eat it regularly during the summer seasons. I have more energy and just feel better, which makes the RA pain less. So, it definitely doesn’t hurt!
Fat Burner?
I’ve heard many rumors over the last decade about pineapple and fat burning. I have researched this scientifically over the years, but there is no actual evidence it burns fat. However, it is scientifically proven to help with digestion as I stated before since it contains bromelain. It is especially helpful in breaking down proteins, so it can help in other areas.
And, obviously, if you are trying to get healthier, pineapple is a great substitute for sweets or another processed type of food!
A quick chemist tip for you! Due to bromelain, pineapple does not work in things like gelatin. It will only break it down further!
It is also not a good idea to mix it with yogurts or dairy products until right before you serve a dish, since it does break down everything like that! Before I was a chemist, I mixed greek yogurt with some fresh pineapple, then I put it in the fridge to eat later. It was a soupy mess when I came back to it! Not very appealing!
One more bonus tip!
Check this guide for picking up a ripe pineapple!
Enjoy eating pineapple this season!
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Here’s another tid bit (get it?) – when I was pregnant and ready to be holding my baby in my rms I was instructed to eat a whole fresh pineapple to help induce contractions. Ummm…it did cause the contractions to help start! Crazy right?
That bromelain is definitely an amazing chemical! It is what causes contractions and it is awesome how well it works. In fact, they even have bromelain extracts that they administer as medication for certain things! Chemistry is seriously the coolest 🙂
Great benefits that pineapples can offer…I wasn’t aware it helps with digestion so that’s great to know and also that it can help ease the symptoms of RA. I love pineapple juice but don’t eat the fruit often enough which I’ll be sure to change this summer.
It’s crazy how many benefits are in pineapple. I have always loved it, but I love knowing that is also so good for me too 🙂
Well, with all of these benefits it sounds like I need to start eating more pineapple! I’m all about anything that can give me an energy boost and help with digestion! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
Oh me too! It is amazing for energy and it always helps my digestion when I eat it with a meal of after! I love it!
As if I needed more reasons to love those beautiful pineapples! So many amazing benefits <3
Green Fashionista
I know, it is already delicious and fun to eat, but throw in being amazing for you, and it’s even better!!
I would never associate pineapple and your sinus or having anti inflammatory properties! I will definitely be putting a pineapple in the cart on my next grocery shopping trip.
It is awesome how great it is for inflammation! I love it! 🙂
Thank you for such an interesting post. As you know, I have RA too so I’m always interested in your researches. I love pineapple & will start having it more often. I’m just curious to know how much time it takes for you, as a chemist, to analyze things like this. So glad you do! Thank you!
Thank you Linda! It definitely takes awhile. I worked on this post for about a month to make sure I covered all the true scientific angles! When I used to work in the lab, analyzing chemicals, it took months sometimes to finish a project. I am so glad you enjoyed this and I hope it can give you some inspiration for RA!!
not to mention that it TASTES GOOD!! Just pinned 🙂
elle
Southern Elle Style
It does taste amazing!!! Thanks so much!
Happy Tuesday… What a GREAT POST! Seems like everything about pineapple is so good for you… and it’s one of my favorite fruits. I’m going to learn to cut one up – instead of eating out of a can… And it’s so pretty to look at… Supposedly you can take the top of the fruit and plant it and see what grows… we tried that and the raccoon/possum dug it up… maybe they knew a good fruit, too! Thanks for the great info Alexis!!!
Thanks Laurie!! It is so easy to cut up once you learn…I should do a tutorial on it! It will definitely grow, but we have the same problem. It gets eaten or attacked by bugs lol.
You’re making me want to go to market to grab a pineapple today!
I love buying it every week this time of year!!! It is so great! 🙂
I love love pineapple. The health benefits are obvious, but if one more ad about RA tells us what we should be eating, doing, etc., I’m going to explode. You can’t believe the stuff I see and read and quite frankly, has anyone truly been cured or free from symptoms by just food. I’d like to know. Now I need to eat some pineapple. Thanks for sharing today at Tuesday Talk.
I couldn’t agree more! I have RA and have literally tried every single claim on foods or supplements that “cure” the pain and swelling. There has never been a magic cure for me, but I have definitely since improvements with foods. I love sharing that with people so they can really use stuff that is proven to help!!! Thanks Michelle!
Thanks for sharing. This is very interesting! Pineapple is such a great fruit to eat fresh…I just don’t love cutting it. 🙂
It really is such a wonderful fruit! It taste good fresh, cooked, baked…so versatile! Thanks Emily 🙂
We love pineapples and actually grow pineapples. They’re going to be ready to be picked soon. 🙂 We always drink lots of pineapple juice when we get sick.
We know of someone that had really bad arthritis. They drank and ate nothing but pineapple and pineapple juice for one or two weeks, and their arthritis went away. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this!
Love,
Ashley
That is so great that you grow pineapples! How awesome to have them all the time!It is very good for arthritis. Mine has definitely not gone away since it’s rheumatoid, but I do feel so much better when I eat it all the time. It is so refreshing in the summer too 🙂 Thanks Ashley! Have a great day!
I just bought 2 at the store. I LOVE fresh pineapple. 🙂 Thanks for sharing your knowledge and tips!
Fresh Pineapple is so amazing!!! Thanks Brandi!!
Pinning! I was on a detox, and they told me no pineapple. I couldn’t give it up, it helps my aches!
I wouldn’t have been able to give it up either! It is so amazing for you and it taste so good too!!! Thanks Lisa!
Wow it’s fantastic how pineapple has so many benefits to it from bromelain. I knew of some of its benefits but not all, and this only recently came to light. Now every week we get a pineapple thanks to the goodness it carries. Amazing finds!
It does have so many amazing benefits!!! And it taste so good, it makes it even better 🙂 Thanks so much!
This is an extremely great tips especially to those new to blogosphere,
short and precise information… Thanks for sharing this one.
A must read post.
I appreciate that! Thanks so much 🙂