Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is an incredibly delicious, healthy tropical fruit. It’s packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and other helpful compounds, such as enzymes that can protect against inflammation and disease. It’s commonly eaten baked, grilled, or freshly cut.
Originating in South America, it was named by early European colonizers for its resemblance to a pine cone .
Pineapple and its compounds are linked to several health benefits, including improvements in digestion, immunity, and recovery from surgery.
The pineapple plant is a tropical fruit in the Bromeliaceae family and can grow quite large. Some cultures use the pineapple as a symbol of good luck. The fruit originated in South America and was named pineapple because it resembled a pinecone. Spanish conquistadors spread its seeds around the world in the 16th century, and now it is one of the most widely-grown fruits in the world, from Hawaii to Thailand to the Philippines.
Pineapple is a natural source of vitamin C, which helps to boost immunity to fight inflammation and fight off infections, such as bacterial infections . As cold and flu season ramps up in the winter, having another immunity-booster tool right in the kitchen is a plus.
One cup of cut pineapple boasts a significant amount of vitamin C, known for its antioxidant properties and ability to fight cell damage. A small number of studies have looked at how eating pineapple daily may reduce the inflammation from sinusitis and swelling of the passages in the nose. The bromelain it contains is excellent for your immune system.
The vitamins and minerals in pineapple also lead to a significantly lower risk of macular degeneration . This is an eye disease that often affects older people and can cause vision loss.
According to the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, the condition, more prevalent in females, is the leading cause of vision loss in older adults. Proper nutrition is important in maintaining eye health, so the pineapple’s rich nutrients, including carotenoids, can play a pivotal role in the prevention and dietary therapy for macular degeneration.
