Pineapple: benefit and harm

Pineapple is royal, but not such a rare delicacy on our table.This tropical visitor arrived in Europe straight from Brazil along with the ships of Christopher Columbus.The nobility liked the sour-sweet taste of the fruit very much, and very soon it was transported from the southern latitudes in large batches.

Who introduced Russians to pineapple is not known for certain, but there are suggestions that Peter I. was instrumental in spreading the king of tropical fruits on the territory of our country.

Interesting! In fact, a pineapple tree is not a palm tree, as many believe, but just a very tall grass.

To date, pineapple plantations are on the Philippine islands, in China, Thailand and India.But the leader in the cultivation of pineapples are Hawaii - hence they are exported around the world.

In Russia, pineapples are not grown, the local climate does not suit them.But love it here no less than in the tropics: slices of this juicy fruit is added to salads, casseroles, pizza, used to make jelly, juice, fruit cakes and other mouth-watering desserts.

Composition and caloric content

Pineapple is a large fruit of an oval oblong form measuring 15 to 40 cm in size. It is covered with a dense crust of greenish-brown color, the flesh inside is yellow and juicy, with a unique aroma.

86% of pineapple consists of water - that's why it so perfectly quenches thirst.And the remaining 14% - from monosaccharides and fruit acids. In addition, the fruit contains:

• minerals - potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, magnesium;
• vitamins - groups B, A, C and PP;
• beta-carotene.

Caloric value is 49 kcal per 100 g of product.The pineapple flesh is practically insoluble vegetable fiber.

Useful properties

Pineapple is not in vain considered a very useful product.For example, the content of ascorbic acid, it exceeds the lemon.And those sugars, which are contained in it, are easily assimilated, therefore it can be used without fear by diabetics.Naturally, we are talking only about fresh, ripe fruits - canned pineapples are not so useful.

But the most valuable thing in pineapple is a unique bromelain substance that can split and burn fats.Bromelain is able to remove from the body not only the slag, but also the pathogenic microflora, because the product is recommended to include in the diet for such diseases:

• tonsillitis acute and chronic;
• tuberculosis;
• pneumonia;
• sinusitis;
• arthritis.

To make bromelain as effective as possible, it should be eaten on an empty stomach .In combination with other products, this enzyme splits and loses all its properties.

Pineapple is one of the best products for hypertensive patients, it is able to significantly lower blood pressure. It improves blood circulation and prevents blood clots and clogging of blood vessels with cholesterol plaques.In addition, relieves joint and muscle pain with regular use in fresh form.

There is no such disease that a fragrant and juicy tropical fruit could not cope with.It should be eaten with a tendency to heart attacks and other cardiovascular pathologies.It strengthens the nervous system and improves the oxygen supply of the brain.

There is a version that pineapple juice helps to suppress cancer cells and can prevent the spread of metastases.Not to mention the fact that fresh pineapples accelerate metabolic processes, normalize digestion, promote cell regeneration and purification of blood.

From all of the above, it can be concluded that pineapple is a natural immunomodulating, restorative, antidepressant and rejuvenating agent, due to which it has become widespread in folk medicine and cosmetology.

Harm and contraindications

The main disadvantage of a tropical treat is a high acid content. The fact that a healthy person only for the benefit will be disastrous for people with such pathologies and disorders:

• increased gastric acidity, gastritis, peptic ulcer - juice will irritate the mucous, especially during the exacerbation of the disease;
• thin and brittle tooth enamel - if you abuse the acids will destroy it, so after eating pineapple, rinse your mouth with clean water;
• propensity to food allergies - pineapple belongs to allergens, like most tropical fruits.

Important! Pineapple should not be used for children under six years of age and should be cautiously offered to pregnant women: unripe or decayed fruits can work as an abortifacient.

Tips and Tricks

Nutritionists recommend no more than five rings of pineapple or one quarter of a medium-sized fruit per day.At the same time, for the sake of pleasure, you need to cut out the middle of the pineapple, and leave it for treatment.It contains the same bromelain in large quantities, from which the tongue burns, the extra pounds are melting, but with them - and tooth enamel.So be careful!

For slimming, strengthening immunity, preventing colds and atherosclerosis, it is recommended to use such a tincture.

1. One ripe fruit is well washed and diced together with the peel, then chopped into a blender.
2. Fold in a bottle and pour a liter of vodka.
3. Cork and insist in the refrigerator for seven days.

For weight loss use a tablespoon for half an hour before each meal.And for treatment - on a teaspoon in the morning on an empty stomach and in the evening before a dream.

In cosmetology, pineapple oil, juice and gruel are used to restore hair and nails, rejuvenate the skin of the face.The circles of fresh pineapple can simply be applied to the face for a quarter of an hour - the skin will tighten, become elastic and rosy.And for hair it is better to use pineapple oil - it is added to any mask of factory or home made, suitable for hair type.

Finally it is worth recalling that everything is good in moderation - even such a tasty and useful fruit, like pineapple.