Pineapple– The Tropical Fruit

There are a lot of pineapple plantations in the country. Some of the world’s biggest pineapple plantation (Del Monte and Dole) are found here. The Philippines is the second largest producer of pineapples in the world after Thailand.

Pineapple is also called “pinya” or “piña” in the Philippines.

The fruit may be consumed fresh, juiced and mixed in desserts, jams, even add it as an ingredient for your chicken and meat dishes.

Not only is the fruit beneficial but as well as its leaves. Here, the leaves are processed and manufactured as an expensive textile called “piña” cloth. Piña textile fiber is often used in creating barong Tagalogs, delicate shoals and more. Other usage of the pineapple leaves as wallpapers and furnishing components.

You can buy pineapples at grocery stores or even at street vendors. You can find it canned or bottled on grocery shelves or even fresh ones: peeled or not.

Health benefits of Pineapple fruit

• Fresh pineapple is storehouse of many health promoting compounds, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.
• The fruit is low in calories (provides only 50 cal per 100 g), contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; but rich source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber like pectin.
• Pineapple fruit contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain that digests food by breaking down protein. Bromelain also has anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting and anti-cancer properties. Studies have shown that consumption of pineapple regularly helps fight against arthritis, indigestion and worm infestation.
• Fresh ananas is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin; vitamin C. It is required for the collagen synthesis in the body. Collagen is the main structural protein in the body required for maintaining the integrity of blood vessels, skin, organs, and bones. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps body protect from scurvy; develop resistance against infectious agents (boosts immunity) and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.
• It also contains good amount Vitamin A (provides 58 IU per 100 g) and beta-carotene levels. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A is also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes, skin and essential for vision. Studies have suggested that consumption of natural fruits rich in flavonoids helps body to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
• In addition, this fruit is rich in B-complex group of vitamins like folates, thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and minerals like copper, manganese and potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Copper is helpful cofactor for red blood cell synthesis. Manganese is a co-factor for the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which is a very powerful free radical scavenger.

Related Story: The Legend of the Pineapple Fruit

(source/reference: www.nutrition-and-you.com)