
Provides plenty of nutrients
Pineapple is low in calories and high in vitamins and minerals. One cup of pineapple chunks will deliver:
- Vitamin C:Â Youâll get about one-third of your recommended daily amount of vitamin C, which aids in tissue growth and repair. Vitamin C helps boost your immune system and may also help fight cancer, heart disease and arthritis.
- Manganese:Â Pineapple has more than 100% of your recommended daily amount of this essential trace element. Manganese helps with bone formation, immune response and metabolism.
- Fiber:Â Nearly 10% of your daily fiber needs are in one cup of pineapple. âFiber is necessary for a healthy gut and can help you stave off hunger,â Zumpano says.
- B vitamins:Â Pineapple gives you a healthy dose of several B vitamins, including thiamin, niacin, B6 and folate. These nutrients help your body process energy from the food you eat. Theyâre also critical to forming new red blood cells, which carry oxygen to your organs and tissues.
- Various minerals:Â Pineapple contains several minerals your body needs for proper function, including copper, potassium and magnesium.
Promotes tissue healing
âPineapple is the only food known to contain bromelain, an enzyme that helps your skin and tissues heal,â Zumpano shares. âBromelain appears to produce substances that combat in pain and swelling.â Consuming bromelain from pineapple might also help your skin heal after surgery or injury.
Fights inflammation
âInflammation is a natural process that occurs in our bodies to help fight off illness,â Zumpano explains, âbut too much inflammation, especially over long periods, can lead to conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.â The anti-inflammatory power in bromelain can help fight inflammation and may suppress the growth of certain tumors. Of course, eating pineapple isnât a cancer-free guarantee. âBut eating lots of colorful fruits and vegetables, including pineapple, is a good way to help prevent cancer and other health conditions,â Zumpano says.
Aids digestion
Hereâs another reason to make pineapple your go-to dessert: Pineapple contains a significant amount of fiber, which is associated with better digestion. Bromelain is also thought to aid in digestion, though thereâs not enough scientific evidence to say for certain.
Relieves arthritis pain
The anti-inflammatory power of pineappleâs bromelain may provide pain relief for people with osteoarthritis. âIf you have achy joints from osteoarthritis, try adding pineapple into your diet,â Zumpano suggests, âbut donât stop taking your medications or change your dose without talking to your doctor.â
May help with weight loss
Most weight loss experts recommend a diet rich in fruits and vegetables if youâre trying to shed pounds. But pineapple could be your dietâs BFF (best fruit friend) because its enzymes just might help with fat burning. âThe studies on pineapple as a weight-loss aid are only animal-based, so we need more evidence of this claim,â Zumpano notes. âBut adding some of this healthy fruit to your diet certainly couldnât hurt.â
Helps with post-workout recovery
When your muscles work hard, they produce inflammation â leading to that inevitable soreness that can sideline you for up to three days. But popping pineapple into your post-workout smoothie might help you get back to your training regimen a little sooner. âThe anti-inflammatory power in pineapple could soothe muscles and may help them recover more quickly,â Zumpano says.