Fresh Pineapple Has Many Benefits

The pineapple is a member of the bromeliad family. It is
extremely rare that bromeliads produce edible fruit.
The pineapple is the only available edible bromeliad today.
It is a multiple fruit. One pineapple is actually
made up of dozens of individual flowerets that grow together
to form the  entire fruit. Each scale on a
pineapple is evidence of a separate flower.

Pineapples stop ripening the minute they are picked. No
special way of storing them will help ripen
them further.

Color is relatively unimportant in determining ripeness.
Choose your pineapple by smell. If it smells fresh,
tropical and sweet, it will be a good fruit. The more scales
on the pineapple, the sweeter and juicier the taste
After you cut off the top, you can plant it. It should grow
much like a sweet potato will. This delicious
fruit is not only sweet and tropical, it also offers many
benefits to our health.

Pineapple is a remarkable fruit. We find it enjoyable
because of its lush, sweet and exotic flavor, but it may
be one of the most healthful foods available today. If we
take a more detailed look at it, we will find that
pineapple is valuable for easing indigestion, arthritis or
sinusitis. The juice has an anthelmintic effect; it helps
get rid of intestinal worms.  Let's look at how pineapple
affects other conditions.

Pineapple is high in manganese, a mineral that is critical
to development of strong bones and connective tissue.
A cup of fresh pineapple will give you nearly 75% of the
recommended daily amount. It is particularly  helpful to
older adults, whose bones tend to become brittle with age.

Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme, is the key to pineapple's
value.  Proteolytic means "breaks down protein",
which is why pineapple is known to be a digestive aid. It
helps the body digest proteins more efficiently.

Bromelain is also considered an effective anti-inflammatory.
Regular ingestion of at least one half cup of fresh
pineapple daily is purported to relieve painful joints
common to osteoarthritis. It produces mild pain relief.
In Germany , bromelain is approved as a post-injury
medication because it is thought to reduce inflammation
and swelling.

Orange juice is a popular liquid for those suffering from a
cold because it is high in Vitamin C. Fresh pineapple
is not only high in this vitamin, but because of the
bromelain, it has the ability to reduce mucus in the throat.
If you have a cold with a productive cough, add pineapple to
your diet. It is commonly used in Europe as a
post-operative measure to cut mucus after certain sinus and
throat operations. Those individuals who eat
fresh pineapple daily report fewer sinus problems related to
allergies. In and of itself, pineapple has a very low
risk for allergies.

Pineapple is also known to discourage blood clot
development.  This makes it a valuable dietary addition for
frequent fliers and others who may be at risk for blood
clots.

An old folk remedy for morning sickness is fresh pineapple
juice. It really works! Fresh juice and some nuts first
thing in the morning often makes a difference. It's also
good for a healthier mouth. The fresh juice discourages
plaque growth.