YUM! Pineapple, seriously my fave fruit EVER. I mean, you cannot go wrong with pineapples.They taste sweet and sour at the same time, you can grill them, enjoy them raw, add them to sauces and salsas and just about any, I mean ANY recipe. For us over the age of 21, they make deliciously refreshing, pineapple and potato vodka martinis :). (More on this later).

SO… other than pineapple being just about the best fruit ever, why is it SO GOOD FOR US? What are a pineapple’s known benefits and potential benefits? After much research to defend my stance on pineapple perfection, take a look!

The Perfect Pineapple:

1. Pineapple is a fruit, right? Well, studies have proven that a higher intake of all fruits, at least 3-4 daily, decreases the risk and progression of age related macular degeneration. Who knew?!
2. An asthmatic’s best friend? Bad allergies like me (UGH)?! Pineapples are a great source of beta-carotene which is what our bodies use and convert into vitamin A. Vitamin A is what our body needs for healthy skin and mucus membranes, our immune system, good eye health and healthy vision. I’m not saying pineapple is the cure for your asthma, sinusitis and allergies, but I do think you should include some in your daily diet!
3. Potassium! (And I thought it was just bananas.) Pineapples are a good source of potassium which has the potential to reduce our risk of stroke, protect us against muscle mass loss, reduce the formation of kidney stones and helps to preserve our bone mineral density. A higher potassium intake is also associated with 20% decrease in our risk of dying from all causes. WOW!
4. Fiber! Yes, pineapples are full of fiber which helps us prevent constipation by promoting regularity of our bowels. Fiber also helps us maintain a healthy digestive track. Recent studies show a correlation of high fiber to a lower risk of colorectal cancer.
5. Bromelain can only be found in the core center of the pineapple where many fruits come together. As an enzyme, bromelain has been shown to reduce swelling, bruising, healing time and pain associated with injury and surgical intervention. Bromelain is also being used to treat inflammation from muscle injuries and joint issues. According to the American Cancer Society, “There are studies suggesting that bromeliad and other enzymes may be used with standard cancer treatment to help reduce some side affects (such as mouth and throat inflammation due to radiation treatments). If that’s not enough information to make you want to chow down on a cup of fresh pineapple, I don’t know what is!
6. Pineapple keeps our skin healthy! Vitamin C when eaten in it’s most natural form or applied topically, aka: fresh pineapple chunks or juice, can help fight skin damage caused by the sun and our environment by improving our skin’s overall texture, also reducing wrinkles! Botox look out! 🙂
7. Fertility boost?! Since free radicals can damage our reproductive systems as well as everything else in our bodies, foods with high antioxidant activity contain the potential to battle these free radicals and are recommended for women trying to get pregnant. A pineapple’s minerals and vitamins such as Vitamin C and beta carotene, copper, zinc and folate all posses properties that could positively affect a man and a woman’s fertility.
8. Great for your heart! The combination of fiber, potassium and vitamin C in just one cup a day of pineapple supports our heart’s health.
9. This one is easy peasy! Pineapple tastes amazing!
10. Let’s get specific: 1 cup of pineapple yields 131% of our vitamin C intake for the day, 2% of our Vitamin A, 2% of our calcium and 2% of our iron daily needs!

If you’re counting calories (which quite frankly, I never do when it comes to something this good for you)…

1 Cup of Pineapple:

82 calories

16g sugar

2.3g fiber

1g protein

0g fat and cholesterol

22g carbohydrates

I hope you guys will head out and grab a golden pineapple now!

Oh yeah- the best way to pick one is to check the color. You want a golden one and make sure the leaves are not too dead or brown on the top or the pineapple will be brown on the inside. If you pick a green one, let it ripen a few days before cutting into it.

I like to cut the top and end off first, then I cut all of the skin off. Be careful when cutting, keep your fingers safe please! Next I slice off the inner core, the bromelain and save it for my smoothies. Remember, this is the most nutritious part. Since I don’t enjoy the bromelain for its bland taste and hard to chew texture, I blend it up with some coconut milk and spinach. Oh and if you freeze it, be sure to cut it into chunks first or even your vitamix will have a tough time blending it up. I learned the hard way!

Anyone else as pineapple obsessed as I am? 🙂

xx, Shanna