Health Benefits of Pineapple
Pineapple Health Benefits
http://www.knowledgebase-script.com/demo/article-283.htmlThis sticky and sweet tropical fruit is a favourite with children of all ages. Perfect as an integral part of sweet and sour sauce, you can't go past the wonderful pineapple.
Pineapples are a member of the Bromeliaceae family and are composed of many flowers whose fruitlets are fused around a core. Each fruitlet has an eye which is the spiny part on the pineapple's surface. Pineapples are both sweet and tart with a beautiful, tropical yellow colour, reminiscent of warm summer days at the beach.
Health benefits of pineapples
One of the most important enzymes in pineapples is bromelain and it is bromelain that holds the key to many of the pineapple's health benefits. Fresh pineapple is full of these sulphur-containing, protein-digesting compounds so, what can they do for you?
Bromelain and pineapples
Bromelain has been found to be a useful anti-inflammatory, effective in reducing swelling and assisting in the treatment of conditions such as acute sinusitis, sore throat, arthritis and gout. For increased effectiveness, pineapple should be eaten between meals without other food. This is because of another of bromelaid's properties, that as an aid to digestion. If eaten with other food, bromelaid's health benefits will be taken up in helping to digest the other food.
Pineapple is high in anti-oxidants
A very good source of vitamin C, pineapple offers your body an excellent protection against free-radicals, substances that attack healthy cells. A build up of free-radicals can lead to atherosclerosis and diabetic heart disease, an increase in asthma attacks and an increased risk of developing certain cancers, such as colon cancer. Free-radicals have also been shown to accentuate the problems associated with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Vitamin C, your body's most important water-soluble anti-oxidant has proven itself invaluable in fighting against and aiding treatment for these conditions.
Vitamin C is, of course, also an excellent cold and flu fighter due to its importance to the proper functioning of the immune system.
Manganese
Pineapple is also an excellent source of manganese, a mineral essential in some of the enzymes necessary in the body for energy production. It also has very good amounts of thiamine (vitamin B1) which is also important in these energy producing enzymes.
Macular degeneration
Pineapple and other fruit has been shown to be important in maintaining good eye health, helping to protect against age-related eye problems. Three serves of fruit a day, in particular those high in anti-oxidants, has been shown to lower your risk of developing this potentially debilitating condition.
Pineapple stems
There are even some beneficial molecules hidden in the stems of pineapples, Australian research has found. These molecules have been seen to act as a defence against certain types of cancer. The types of cancer benefited by these molecules are ovarian, breast, lung, colon and skin cancer.
Selecting and storing your pineapple
Pineapples should feel heavy for their size, otherwise they could end up dry and tasteless. They should look, feel and smell clean and have no bad or mouldy marks on the outer surface. As pineapple stops ripening when picked, choose carefully and don't select one that looks immature.
Pineapples can be stored at room temperature however they spoil easily and should be watched carefully. To keep it longer than a day or two, wrap in a plastic bag and store in the fridge for up to five days.
If you've cut your pineapple, store unused pieces in the fridge in an airtight container and use as soon as possible. They can be frozen however this will change the flavour so be careful.
Bromelain (Pineapple enzyme)
Posted in Other Vital Nutraceuticals & Nutrients on Sat December 31, 2005
http://www.worldhealth.net/news/bromelain_pineapple_enzymeGENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Bromelain is a proteolytic enzyme (an enzyme that digests proteins) found in fresh pineapple. It is often used to treat muscle injuries and as a digestive aid.
ROLE IN ANTI-AGING:
Bromelain is a natural anticoagulant that works by breaking down the blood-clotting protein fibrin. This may help to explain why results of at least two clinical trials suggest that the enzyme can help to improve the symptoms of angina and thrombophlebitis. As well as thinning the blood, bromelain also thins mucus, and thus maybe of benefit to asthmatics and people suffering from chronic bronchitis. There is also evidence that bromelain can trigger beneficial changes in white blood cells, and thus may improve immune function. However, whether or not the enzyme would be beneficial to immunocompromised people has not been established clinically. Bromelain has potent anti-inflammatory properties and therefore may be useful in promoting the healing of minor muscle injuries such as sprains and strains. Results of one study also found evidence to suggest that it can help to improve the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. When applied topically it may help to speed wound healing. There has also been some suggestion that bromelain has anti-cancer properties, although this has not been proven. Several recent studies have linked chronic inflammation to cancer, thus any anti-cancer action of bromelain could be due to it anti-inflammatory properties. The enzyme may also enhance the effect of the antibiotics amoxicillin, erythromycin, penicillamine, and penicillin. In a study of people with urinary tract infections,100% of participants given antibiotics in combination with bromelain and another enzyme called trypsin were cured of their infection, compared with just 46% who received antibiotics alone.
Bromelain aids digestion by enhancing the effects of the digestive enzymes trypsin and pepin. It can also help to prevent heartburn by ease diarrhea, if either are caused by a deficiency of digestive enzymes. Bromelain supplements often contain a plant pigment called quercetin. The two substances are found in combination simply because they enhance each other’s antiinflammatory actions, and that bromelain appears to improve quercetin absorption.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS: Not applicable
THERAPEUTIC DAILY AMOUNT:
Bromelain is measured in MCUs (milk clotting units) or GDUs (gelatin dissolving units), where one GDU equals roughly1.5 MCU. Potent bromelain products contain approximately 2,000 MCU per gram. Some doctors recommend taking up to 3,000 MCU thrice daily for several days, and then decreasing the dosage to three daily 2,000 MCU doses.
MAXIMUM SAFE LEVEL: Not established
SIDE EFFECTS/CONTRAINDICATIONS:
Bromelain is generally regarded as being safe and side effect-free when taken as directed. However, some people may be allergic to bromelain as it is derived from pineapple. Bromelain is not recommended for people with active gastric or duodenal ulcers. People taking anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin should not take supplementary bromelain without consulting their physician.
from : milossarcev.com/board
