Health Benefits of Pineapple (Ananas)

About Pineapple/Ananas

Pineapple or ananas is very nutritious and delicious fruit having rich amount of vitamins and minerals. It is very juicy fruit having vibrant and sweet flavor. It is considered as the favorite tropical fruit of the America. It is a seasonal fruit grown in the tropical regions and commonly found in the month of March to June in the local markets.

Pineapple is a complex fruit made up of many flowers by fusing together to the central core. It is generally found in various colors like scaly green, brown, red brown or yellow. It belongs to the Bromeliaceae family which takes around 20–24 months in flowering and 6 months in fruiting. It was originated in the Southern Brazil and Paraguay which then spread throughout the South America, Central America, Caribbean and Mexico. It was called as the “pine of the Indians” and brought to the Europe by the Columbus in 1493.

Benefits of Pineapple/Ananas

Pineapple is very delicious and juicy fruit loved by almost everyone because of its taste and variety of health benefits. Some of the nutritional health benefits of the pineapple are mentioned below:

Loaded with Vitamins and Minerals

• Pineapple is loaded with variety of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, B, C, E, K, potassium, phosphorous, iron, calcium and etc.

Fights with Free Radicals

• It has anti-oxidant property which helps in fighting with free radicals and prevents from various diseases including heart diseases, atherosclerosis, arthritis, cancers and etc.

Prevents from Infections

• Its richness in the vitamin C and bromelain helps to fight against the diseases and infections caused by the viruses like severe cold, cough and etc.

Strengthens Bones

• High minerals availability of the pineapples strengthens the bones and connective tissues.

Keeps Gums and Teeth Healthy

• Regular intake of the pineapples provides healthy gums and teeth.

Keeps Eye Healthy

• Ananas prevents from the age related macular degeneration and maintains the eye vision for long time. It nourishes the retina and prevents from getting damaged.

Maintains Eyesight

• Its beta carotene availability also helps in keeping the eye sight maintained if consumed on regular basis.

Prevents Inflammation

• It has anti-inflammatory property which prevents from various types of the inflammations caused due to the diseases like arthritis and bronchitis.

Source of Bromelain

• It has bromelain which helps in preventing from the sinusitis, gout, carpal tunnel syndrome, sore throat, swellings and various other problems.

Prevents from Cancers

• Its anti-oxidant quality prevents the body cells from getting damaged by fighting with free radicals and tumour causing agent. Thus, it is very healthy fruit which helps in preventing from the cancers.

Lowers Bad Cholesterol

• It prevents the occurrence of atherosclerosis by fighting with free radicals thus lowers the bad cholesterol level, keeps the heart healthy and prevents from heart diseases.

Boosts Immune System

• Its vitamin C availability boosts the immune system thus keeps the body healthy in all season by keeping all the diseases away.

Improves Protein Digestion

• Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme found in it neutralizes the fluids and regulates the pancreatic secretions to assist in the digestion. This enzyme has ability to digest protein thus keeps the digestive track healthy by enhancing the protein digestion.

Contains High Level of Vitamin C

• Drinking a glass of juice on regular basis helps in preventing from the mucous accumulation in the throat as it oozes out the mucous through cough and clears out the lungs passageway due to the high level of vitamin C availability.

Prevents Blood Clot Formation

• Regular consumption of the pineapple juice prevents from the blood clots formation because of its anti-coagulant property.

Keeps Oral Cavity Healthy

• Ananas keeps the oral cavity healthy by preventing any bacterial growth and plaque formation in the buccal mucosa.

Contains Proteolytic Enzyme

• The proteolytic enzyme found in its core and stem has anti-clotting, anti-inflammatory and natural detox property.

Assists in Collagen Synthesis

• Its high level vitamin C availability assists in the collagen synthesis which encourages the health of skin, bones, organs and blood vessels.

Boosts Energy Level

• Its manganese content boosts the overall energy level of the body and protects from the free radicals as it utilizes the biotin and thiamine in order to synthesize the fatty acids.

Maintains Body Electrolytes Balance

• High level potassium in the pineapple juice maintains the body electrolytes balance thus enhances the kidney function. It also prevents from the muscle soreness and muscle cramps.

Rich Source of Potassium

• Ananas controls the blood pressure and heart rate because of the high level of potassium availability.

Good Source of Vitamin A

• Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene availability in the pineapple helps in eliminating the free radicals, boosting the body immune system and improving the eye function.

Benefits of Pineapple Juice

Good Digestive Agent

• This is the fact about pineapple that pineapples juice is a good digestive agent because of its bromelain enzyme which aids a lot in the digestion.

Relieves Digestive Disorders

• Its vitamin C and high fibers availability also assists in the digestion and provides relief from any digestive disorders.

Prevents from Catarrh

• It prevents from the Catarrh, a problem belongs to the mucous membrane secretions, if taken on regular basis.

Controls High Blood Pressure

• Ananas controls the high blood pressure to the normal level by reducing the blood cholesterol level.

Benefits of Pineapple for Kids

Prevents from Intestinal Worms

• Generally, kids are prone to the intestinal worms which may lead to any serious health problems. Eating pineapples on regular basis prevents them from the stomach worms thus keeps the digestive system healthy and strong.

Benefits of Pineapple for Pregnant Women

Relieves Morning Sickness

• Eating a bowl of pineapple on empty stomach prevents from the symptoms of nausea and provides relief from the morning sickness.

Induces Labour

• It induces labour by increasing the uterine contractions and softening the cervix.

Benefits of Pineapple for Weight Loss

Prevents from Extra Weight Gain

• Pineapple is a tropical fruit naturally packed with the vitamins, minerals, low fat, calories and cholesterol, high fibers content which promotes good health and prevents from the extra weight gain if taken regularly.

Benefits of Pineapple Juice for Skin

Prevents Early Ageing

• It is an excellent source of vitamin C which is mostly required by the body for the collagen synthesis (main structural protein) to maintain the integrity of skin. It also prevents from the free radicals thus helps in maintaining the youthfulness by preventing from the early ageing process.

Provides Glow and Fairness to Skin

• Ananas is a vitamins rich fruit which provides glow and fairness to the skin.

Quickens Wound Healing

• Pineapple juice is very helpful for the acne treatment and quickens the wound healing process.

Benefits of Pineapple in Diabetes

Maintains Blood Sugar Level

• Pineapple juice helps in maintaining the blood sugar level as it converts the extra blood sugar into the useful energy.

Controls Blood Sugar

• Making small balls by mixing its juice with triphla powder, til, jamun seeds powder and gokharu and eating two times a day helps in controlling blood sugar level.

Benefits of Pineapple for Women

Relieves Menstrual Disorders

• It provides relief from the menstrual disorders among women as it contains the bromelain enzyme.

Cures Menstrual Disorders

• Taking raw pineapple juice with peepal chhal powder and gur regularly helps in curing menstrual disorders.

Benefits of Pineapple for Men

Rich Source of Vitamins, Antioxidants and Enzymes

• Pineapple is considered as the anti-inflammation cocktail because of its natural capacity to have vitamins, antioxidants and enzymes at one place.

Reduces Inflammation

• It has fatty acids and polyphenols which help in reducing the inflammation of cells and joints.

Treats Hyperthyroidism

• It controls the thyroid glands functioning thus helpful in treating the hyperthyroidism by keeping the fatigue and tiredness away.

Prevents from Cardiac Diseases

• It helps in preventing from the cardiac diseases and other lethal diseases like cancer.

Enhances Sexual Capacity

• Ananas enhances the sexual capacity in men by improving the semen quality.

Benefits of Pineapple on Face or Beauty Benefits

Treats Skin Dullness and Dryness

• Applying the crushed Ananas mask on the face helps to remove the dead skin cells as well as provide relieve to the skin dullness and dryness.

Reduces Wrinkles

• Its vitamin C availability helps to protect from the ageing effects and wrinkles because of the sunlight.

Makes Skin Youthful

• Pineapple is a very good natural exfoliant for the skin which makes the skin youthful and clear of any blemishes or pimples.

Makes Skin Fresh and Wrinkles Free

• Applying the pineapple mask on the face by mixing with the olive oil or honey makes the skin looks fresh and wrinkles free.

Benefits of Pineapple Murabba

Reduces Stress Level

• Eating pineapple murabba regularly helps in keeping mood fresh and happy by reducing the stress level.

Nutritional Benefits of Pineapple/Ananas per 100 g

(Source: USDA Nutrient Database)

Energy: 50 kcal

Carbohydrate: 13.12 g

Sugar: 9.85 g

Dietary fiber: 1.4 g

Fat: 0.12 g

Protein: 0.54 g

Vitamins:

Thiamine: 0.079 mg

Riboflavin: 0.032 mg

Niacin: 0.5 mg

Pantothenic acid: 0.213 mg

Vitamin B6: 0.112 mg

Folate: 18 μg

Choline: 5.5 mg

Vitamin C: 47.8 mg

Vitamin A: 58 IU

Vitamin E: 0.02 mg

Vitamin K: 0.07 µg

Electrolytes:

Potassium: 109 mg

Sodium: 1 mg

Minerals:

Calcium: 13 mg

Iron: 0.29 mg

Magnesium: 12 mg

Manganese: 0.927 mg

Phosphorus: 8 mg

Zinc: 0.12 mg

Copper: 0.110 mg

Selenium: 0.1 µg

Phyto-nutrients

Carotene-ß: 35 µg

Selection and Storage of Pineapple/Ananas

Fresh pineapples can be found in the market in the summer season especially in the month of March to June. You can buy it by choosing the heavy one whether it is large or small. Do not buy pineapples having mold, spots, bruised skin or darkened eyes. It should smell sweet at the stem side. The freshness of the fruit can be checked by tapping fingers on it which gives dull sound if it is solid and ripens properly otherwise hollow sounding if immature.

Storing pineapples in the refrigerator for long time should be avoided as it is very sensitive to the cold. It can be stored for only 1 or 2 days in the cold storage before using. However, it is better to consume it very soon after the purchase.

How to Enjoy Pineapple/Ananas

It can be enjoyed eating directly as a snack in between the meal or drinking its juice in the morning after breakfast. It can also be taken as salads, jellies, desserts or jams for more flavors.

Disadvantages, Side Effects and Precautions of pineapple

• It is not so good for the diabetic patients or weight conscious people as sweet pineapple contains high fructose content.
• Generally, it causes irritation to the mucous membranes in mouth which may cause ulcerations or canker sores on the tongue.
• It is a fruit of high glycemic index (66) which may enhance the insulin level and lead to the Type 2 diabetes.
• It is a bromelain rich fruit which may cause the lips sore and swollen when eaten in high amount.
• It is allergic to some people and causes swollen tongue, hives, rashes, breathing problems and other side effects.
• Eating pineapples in high amount may cause bleeding disorders as bromelain acts as a mild blood thinner. It should be avoided by the people with hemophilia.

How Much Pineapple to Eat a Day

Eating pineapple too much is harmful to the health, so it should be eaten within limit. Eating a cup of sliced pineapple or drinking a cup of its juice twice or thrice a week is ok.

Health Benefits of Pomegranate (Anar) fruit and its Juice

About Pomegranate/Anar

Pomegranate or Anar (Punica granatum) is an attractive fruit having lots of health benefits. It is a big gift on the earth from the God to the human beings. Pomegranate is a super seedy fruit having brilliant red seeds considered as the wonderful fruit in the world. It is also known as the seeded apple extensively used for its health benefits and medicinal values.

Pomegranates were originated in the surrounding area of the Iran in the ancient time. Now, it has been started cultivating all through the Mediterranean areas of the Middle East, southern Europe, northern and tropical Africa, Indian regions, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, parts of California and Arizona and etc. It is sufficiently available in the winter season from September to February and in the summer season from March to May.

Pomegranate plant is tolerant to the entire climate which can be easily grown in the dry areas or in the winter rainfall weather or in the summer rainfall weather. Pomegranate is famous by various names according to the regions such as Sanskrit darima, Persian anar, anaar, Turkish nar, Bengali dalim, Hindi anar, Tamil madulai, Urdu anar, Punjabi anar, dadima, bedana, Romanian rodie and etc.

Benefits of Pomegranate/Anar

Helps in Cells Regeneration

• Pomegranates are the immense source of the punicic acid, ellagic acid, antioxidant, omega 5 (polyunsaturated fatty acid) which helps in the cell regeneration and proliferation.

Treats Digestive Problems

• Pomegranates are used in various medicinal purposes to treat the ailments such as ulcers and diarrhea.

Lowers Bad Cholesterol

• Eating pomegranate regularly lowers the bad cholesterol level and increases the good cholesterol level in the blood.

Strengthens Body Immune System

• It has both the anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties thus make the body immune system very healthy.

Prevents from Anemia

• It prevents from the anaemia as it contains sufficient amount of iron which helps in increasing hemoglobin level.

Induces Hunger

• It induces hunger and manages thirst as well as acts as a good tonic for the stomach, liver and heart.

Prevents from UTI

• It helps in curing the urinary tract infection.

Improves Digestion

• It has both soluble and insoluble dietary fibres which improves the digestion as well as normalize the bowel movement.

Prevents from Cartilage Damage

• It prevents from the cartilage damage and helps in the cartilage regeneration as it acts as an enzyme (which induces cartilage damage) inhibitor.

Provides Relief from Bone Inflammation

• It is very helpful in relieving from the osteoarthritis, arthritis and bone inflammation.

Acts as Tonic for Heart

• Punicalagins, a compound only available in the pomegranates has its beneficial effects on the heart and blood vessels. It lowers the bad cholesterol and blood pressure and prevents from the atherosclerosis.

Prevents from Plaque formation in Arteries

• An ounce of pomegranate juice every day provides relief from the carotid artery blockage and reduces the formation of atherosclerotic plaque.

Prevents from Diabetes and Cancer

• Regular utilization of the pomegranate is very effective adjacent to the diabetes, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), lymphoma and etc.

Improves Memory Power

• It is very useful fruit which increases memory power and delays the dementia.

Increases Libido in Male

• It helps in increasing the libido in male thus enhances the fertility.

                                                                                                       Benefits of Pomegranate Juice

Rich Source of Vitamins

• Drinking a glass of pomegranate juice fulfils around 40 % of the total vitamins A, C, E and folic acid requirement of the body per day.
• Anar juice is the rich source of the vitamins (A ,C,  E, B group vitamins like thiamine, niacin, folic acid and riboflavin), minerals (calcium, potassium, phosphorous) and iron which promotes the health.

Rich Source of Antioxidants

• Pomegranate juice has antioxidants (anthocyanins, ellagic acid, gallic acids) and flavonoids (quercetin) which helps in protecting from the various chronic diseases including heart diseases, diabetes, osteoarthritis, cancer and etc.

Beneficial for Heart

• It is very beneficial for the heart as it makes the arteries elastic, reduces atherosclerosis and lessens the blood vessel inflammation thus protects the heart from various heart chronic diseases.
• Pomegranate juice reduces the risk of arteries blockage and acts as an anti-atherogenic for the heart.
• Pomegranate juice also reduces the high blood pressure.

Maintains Blood Sugar Level

• Pomegranate juice has natural sugar called fructose which helps in maintaining the blood sugar level.

Prevents from Cancer

• Regular intake of the pomegranate juice prevents from the cancer (prostate and breast cancer) by eliminating the free radicals from body. Pomegranates are the great sources of the anti oxidants which have property to stimulate WBC in order to neutralize body toxins.

Treats Diarrhoea

• Pomegranate juice is a great home remedy to treat diarrhoea and dysentery as well as improves the digestion.

Energizes Body

• Taking a glass of pomegranate juice with a tsf honey can cure all the indigestion problems, weakness and fatigue as well as energize the body.

Provides Relief from Nose Bleeding

• Introduction of mixture of sugar and pomegranate juice (1 to 2 drops) in the nostrils provides quick relief from the nose bleeding.

Prevents from Alzheimer

• Regular intake of it helps in controlling the occurrence of neurological problems including Alzheimer disease.

Dissolves Kidney Stones

• It is best known for dissolving the kidney stones.

Cures Vomiting Problem

• Drinking luke warm pomegranate juice with little sugar helps in curing vomiting problem.

Benefits of Pomegranate Juice for Hair

Makes Hair Healthy

• Having pomegranate juice on regular basis strengthens and nourishes the hair follicles and prevents from hair fall.
• It makes the hair more healthy and lustrous.

Helps in Weight Loss

• As it has no calories, no saturated fats and no cholesterol thus aid a lot in the weight management.

Acts as a Tonic for Men

• Regular intake of the pomegranate juice by the men helps in curing the erectile dysfunctions, weakness, fatigue and etc problems among men.

Benefits of Pomegranate in Pregnancy

Source of all Crucial Elements for Pregnant Women

• Anar has a lot of beneficial effects for the pregnant women as it has all the crucial elements required in the pre-natal diet such as vitamins, minerals, folic acid and etc.

Improves Foetal Development

• Its anti-inflammatory property helps in the healthy blood flow and foetus development.

Prevents from Leg Cramps

• Its potassium content prevents from the leg cramps during pregnancy.

Reduces Risk of Birth Defects in Babies

• Regular consumption of it by the expectant mothers lowers the risk of birth defects in the babies and premature child birth including low birth weight.

Benefits of Pomegranate for Skin

Keeps Skin Healthy

• Eating pomegranate or drinking its juice on regular basis makes the skin healthy, vibrant and youthful.
• It maintains the skin cells regeneration (epidermis and dermis) as well as prevents from the hyper pigmentation and dark spots on the skin.

Delays Ageing

• It slows down the ageing process by preventing from the wrinkles and fine lines on the skin.

Effective for Dry Skin

• It is a wonderful remedy for the dry skin. It moisturizes and hydrates the skin thus soothes the dehydrated and irritated skin.

Keeps Skin Hydrated

• Its punicic acid content (omega 3 fatty acid) makes the skin hydrated on regular basis.

Keeps Away from Pimples

• It is also beneficial for the oily and pimple vulnerable skin. Applying pomegranate juice on the skin keeps it free from the pimples and oil by controlling the sebum production.

Improves Wound Healing

• It helps in the wounds healing process.

Benefits of Pomegranate Seeds Oil

Prevents Skin from Sun Burn

• Oil of the pomegranate seeds has various skin friendly nutrients which enhances the epidermis regeneration process and protects the skin from sun burn.

Prevents from Wrinkles and Fine Lines

• It improves the skin texture by extending the life of fibroblasts and enhancing the collagen and elastin production which tightens the skin and prevents from the occurrence of fine lines and wrinkles.

Makes Skin Fair

• Anar seed oil also lightens the skin tone and makes it brighter and fair than ever before.

Benefits of Pomegranate Leaves

Makes Teeth Strong and Cures Gum Problems

• Brushing teeth with the anar leaves powder (dried in shadow) makes teeth strong and cures bleeding gums, gums swelling and etc.

Benefits of Pomegranate Skin

Provides Glow to Skin

• Pomegranate peels have the highest amount of the antioxidants thus it nourishes the skin and makes it glowing and fair.

Provides Relief from Stress

• Applying the paste of it on head helps in treating headache, half headache and other stress related problems.

Beauty Benefits of Pomegranate

Face Mask for Youthful Skin

• Applying pomegranate face mask (2 tsf pomegranate juice with 1 tsf of grape seed oil and powdered green papaya) on the face makes the skin more glowing.

As a Face Cleanser

• Pomegranate juice is directly used on the face as a face cleanser.

Remedy for Skin Cancer

• It prevents from the skin cancer as it has hydrolysable tannins and anthocyanins which work as an antioxidant and antitumor agent.
• It also has an ellagic acid (polyphenol antioxidant) which inhibits the skin cancer growth.

Precautions while Eating Pomegranate

• It should be avoided by the person having problems of constipation, influenza, cough or with phlegmatic condition.
• It has property to lower the blood pressure thus avoid taking it with the medications to lower the blood pressure as it may lead to the hypotension.
• Some people are vulnerable to the allergy or asthma to some fruits. Common symptoms of the allergic reactions are vomiting, redness or itching of the eyes, difficulty in breathing and etc.
• Anar may interfere with some other medicines such as statins (to lower the cholesterol level), antidepressants, AIDS medicines or tranquillizers.

Real Facts about Pomegranate

• It is considered as the most influential antioxidant fruit among all fruits.
• Anar has powerful anticancer and immune booster property.
• It always hinders the unusual platelet aggregation thus prevents from embolic disease, heart attack and strokes.
• It has ability to prevent from the depression and osteoporosis.
• It is good to maintain the cardiovascular, nervous and skeletal system health.
• It is a divine fruit which inhibits the viral and bacterial infections.

Nutritional Benefits of Pomegranate/Anar per 100 g

(Source: USDA Nutrient Database)

Energy: 83 Kcal

Carbohydrates: 18.70 g

Protein: 1.67 g

Fat: 1.17 g

Dietary Fibre: 4 g

Vitamins

Thiamine: 0.067 mg

Riboflavin: 0.053 mg

Niacin: 0.293 mg

Pantothenic acid: 0.135 mg

Pyridoxine: 0.075 mg

Folates: 38 µg

Vitamin C: 10.2 mg

Vitamin E: 0.60 mg

Vitamin K: 16.4 µg

Electrolytes

Sodium: 3 mg

Potassium: 236 mg

Minerals

Calcium: 10 mg

Magnesium: 12 mg

Manganese: 0.119 mg

Copper: 0.158 mg

Iron: 0.30 mg

Phosphorus: 36 mg

Selenium: 0.5 µg

Zinc: 0.35 mg

Selection and Storage of Pomegranate

Always select pomegranates with smooth skin without any damage, cuts or mold. It can be easily stored at home for 5-8 days at room temperature in the cool dark place. It can also be placed in the refrigerator for longer time (two or more weeks). Always buy fresh pomegranates which are generally available from September to the January.

Rinse it under tepid water to bring it to the normal temperature if it is kept inside refrigerator. It can be eaten with its seeds or drank its juice. Its seeds can be added to the fruit salads, soups, jellies, sauces, cakes or baked apples.

How to Enjoy Pomegranate

It can be enjoyed in many ways such as anar juice, anar dana, mixed fruit cream, fruit salad, adding to the icecream, custard, curd, pasta, kheer and other dishes to which it can be enjoyed.

Disadvantages of Pomegranate

• Pomegranate juice inhibits some enzymes which are related to the drugs metabolism. So, it is good to assist with doctor when taking some medicines.
• It causes allergic reactions to some people such as itching, rashes, swelling and etc.
• Over consumption of it may cause gastrointestinal problems including stomach pain, indigestion, discomfort, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.
• Staining is the major problem while handling pomegranates.

How Many Pomegranate Should I Eat A Day

It is not easy to say that how many pomegranates are overdose however it is eaten under limit. It is a very tasty fruit which has powerful antioxidant property thus beneficial for maintaining health to a great level and preventing from serious problems.