Concept in Definition ABC
Miscellanea / / July 04, 2021
By Dra. Maria de Andrade, CMDF 21528, MSDS 55658., on Aug. 2015
The Pineapple It is a tropical fruit, its scientific name is Ananas comosus, it is a plant that belongs to the family of the Bromeliads, genus Anna, Sativa species present in the tropics and subtropics, native to South America.
The plant grows in the ground where it takes the form of a rosette composed of multiple long, rigid leaves endowed with thorns. In the central part of the plant a stem emerges on which the fruit develops, which has an oval shape with a crown of leaves.
This plant requires a weather warm and high humidity to develop, two harvests a year are obtained.
Main nutrients present in pineapple
Pineapple is a fruit rich in various nutrients, each 100 gr of this fruit contains 25 µg of beta-carotene, 180 mg of potassium, 11 mg of magnesium, 40 µg of Thiamine, 30 µg of Riboflavin, 21 mg of Vitamin C and fiber, in addition to these it contains other nutrients in minors concentrations.
Its composition also includes an enzyme called Bromelain, known for its anti-inflammatory properties.
Tips when selecting and storing pineapples
- Ripe pineapples should be preferred since once harvested they do not continue to ripen
- Must keep temperatureenvironment or refrigerate at a temperature higher than 7 ° C, at lower temperatures cold damage appears such as brown.
- Pineapple can suffer fermentation with the maturation so it is recommended that little time elapse between harvest and its consumption.
- If when palpating the pineapple it has soft areas or that ooze liquid, they should be avoided since these changes are a reflection that a fermentation process is taking place.
Beneficial effects of pineapple for health
Pineapple has a number of beneficial effects derived from its composition, these include:
Antioxidant effect. Related to the presence of Vitamin C and beta carotenes, this effect is related to the neutralization of free radicals, substances related to aging and the appearance of diseases such as cancer, arteriosclerosis, heart attacks and accidents cerebrovascular
Anti-inflammatory effect. The bromelain present in pineapple gives it anti-inflammatory effects, especially when there is tissue damage such as trauma or surgery, for this reason it is used postoperatively to help reduce inflammation, pain and accelerate the resorption of bruises, as well as in conditions such as muscle tears and sprains
Diuretic effect. Another of the properties of this fruit is its ability to help remove fluids from the tissues that are then eliminated in the urine, which is why it is used in case of edema and circulatory disorders in the legs. In this case it can be used combined with cucumber in the form of juice.
Digestive effect The bromelain contained in pineapple facilitates the digestion process of the food, especially of the protein, making the absorption of nutrients easier.
Photo: iStock - CSA-Printstock
Themes in Pineapple