sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

The Pineapple
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 also 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 pineapples' 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 mucous 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 mucous 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 make a difference. It's also good for a healthier mouth. The fresh juice discourages
plaque growth.

Hope you enjoyed that and give it a try. I love fresh pineapple as a snack in the evening.

Sarge69

john blue Loc: Lowndesboro, Al

thanks, like to eat it anyway

ReFlections Loc: From LA to AL

I am going to start eating more.

St3v3M Loc: 35,000 feet

Thank you

Kinopless Loc: Mandurah, Western Australia

:thumbup: Great advice, you're the man Sarge.. :thumbup:

tlbuljac Loc: Oklahoma

Now that I know Pineapple is good for me I am moving to Hawaii to be close to them

CJartist Loc: Ormond Beach

sarge do you know you can freeze pineapple? After you cut it up you just put the pieces on a cookie sheet or some other flat plate an put in freeze and then transfer to a freezer bag, that way you can take advantage of them when they are on sale. Just take out of freezer and let thaw for awhile and then enjoy.

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Actually mine never last long enough for freezing but I'm going to keep that in mind.

Thank you

Sarge69

auclair784 Loc: Winchester, TN

Did you verify this on Snopes??? Just kidding! The devil made me ask!

donrosshill Loc: Delaware & Florida

Great medical info.
Thanks Sarge.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Who'd a thunk it?

sarge69 Loc: Ft Myers, FL

Now I'm wondering, with the nice weather here in Ft Myers about the planting/growing of a pineapple.

Sarge69

flathead27ford Loc: Colorado, North of Greeley

Wow Sarge, thanks for the info. Never knew it was such a beneficial plant. Cheers.

Rathyatra Loc: Southport, United Kingdom

Excellent post - tend to buy tinned pineapples which probably don't contain the same amount of goodness.
After reading your post I will definitely try out the fresh pineapple - my wife has recently been diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation so this will help with the anticoagulant requirements.

You learn something new and useful every day on UHH.

Rustybucket Loc: England

Great post!! and very informative too. I love fresh Pineapple but getting a good one here in Britain is a bit hit and miss. Just to add to the health kick.... I was watching a program about Indian cookery and the lady sweetened a recipe with something called "Jaggery", which turns out to be made from raw, unprocessed sap from sugar cane or date palm. It tastes of mollasses and is bought in slab form. Apparently in industrail areas of India, factory owners give a chunk of it every day to their workers as it eases any chest conditions caused by dusty, dirty work environments. My husband suffers from C.O.P.D and chronic Asthma...so I'm gonna track some down and feed it to him...along with fresh pineapple :-). Thanks for posting. One of the reasons I love this site...I pick up hints and tips of all sorts.