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PINEAPPLES: The Healing Fruit of the Tropics!
Monique N. Gilbert, B.Sc.
For a natural and tasty way to improve your health and boost your
healing capacity, add fresh pineapple and pineapple juice to your
diet. Pineapples are nutritionally packed members of the bromeliad
family. This delightful tropical fruit is high in the enzyme
bromelain and the antioxidant vitamin C, both of which plays a major
role in the body's healing process.
Bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory with analgesic properties,
encourages healing, promotes well-being and has many other health
benefits. Bromelain is very effective in treating bruises, sprains
and strains by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain. This powerful
anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect can also help relieve osteo-
and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and reduce postoperative swelling.
Additionally, bromelain can relieve indigestion. The enzyme
contained in fresh pineapple helps break down the amino acid bonds in
proteins, which promotes good digestion.
Pineapples also provide an ample supply of vitamin C, a commonly
known antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage and
boosts the immune system. Vitamin C helps build and repair bodily
tissue and promotes wound healing. The body uses vitamin C to help
metabolize fats and cholesterol, absorb iron, and synthesize amino
acids and collagen. Collagen is one of the primary building blocks
of skin, cartilage and bones. Vitamin C also decreases the severity
of colds and infections.
Furthermore, due to its high vitamin C content, pineapples are good
for your oral health as well. Recent studies have found that vitamin
C can reduce your risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease.
Besides increasing the ability of connective tissue to repair itself,
vitamin C also increases the body's ability to fight invading
bacteria and other toxins that contribute to gum disease.
Periodontal disease, which destroys gum tissue and underlying jaw
bones, has been linked to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
So if you are searching for a natural way to enhance your body's
healing mechanisms, promote overall good health and tantalize your
taste buds, pineapples are the way to go. Choose the fresh fruit
because it has the most healing properties. Unfortunately, most of
the bromelain in canned pineapple is destroyed due to the heat used
in the canning process.
When choosing a fresh pineapple, do not judge ripeness solely based
upon color. There are several varieties on the market that range
from green to golden yellow. The most important factor in
determining ripeness is smell, let your nose help you decide. Ripe
pineapples give off a sweet, fresh tropical smell. Avoid pineapples
that give off an unpleasant odor or have any soft spots or areas of
dark discoloration. Once home, let the pineapple sit on your counter
at room temperature until ready to use. This will preserve its sweet
and tangy flavor.
To prepare pineapple, you need to peel it, remove the eyes (the
thorny protrusions within the puffy squares of the skin) and the
fibrous center. One way to do this is to remove the top of the
pineapple with a sharp knife. Then cut the pineapple lengthwise into
4 wedges (quarter it) and place each pineapple wedge horizontally on
a cutting board. Carefully cut the fruit from the outer skin, and
cut out the eyes and fibrous center core.
Another way is to cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple, place
the pineapple vertically (upright) on a cutting board and carefully
slice off the outer skin. With a sharp paring knife or the end if a
vegetable peeler, remove the eyes. Don't cut too deep, just enough
to lift out the section that contains the eye. Then, slice the
pineapple crosswise and remove the fibrous core individually with a
cookie cutter.
Once the fruit is prepared, it can be diced and eaten fresh, added to
salads and entrees for an exotic flavor, or made into tasty tropical
drinks and smoothies.
To get you started, try Monique N. Gilbert's delicious, nutritious,
cholesterol-free smoothie recipe. It's high in bromelain, vitamin C,
beta carotene, potassium, thiamin (vitamin B-1), riboflavin (vitamin
B-2), iron, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and soy isoflavones.
Pina-Banana Orange Smoothie
1 frozen banana
1 cup fresh pineapple
1/2 cup soymilk
1/3 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon canned pumpkin
1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
Place all of the above ingredients in a food processor or blender.
Blend for 1-2 minutes, or until smooth and creamy.
Makes about 2-3/4 cups (2 servings)
Monique N. Gilbert, B.Sc. is a Health, Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach;
Certified Personal Trainer/Fitness Counselor; Recipe Developer and
Author. She has offered guidance in natural health, nutrition,
fitness, weight-loss and stress management since 1989. Visit
http://www.MoniqueNGilbert.com/ to learn more about Monique's
coaching program.
Copyright © Monique N. Gilbert - All Rights Reserved
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