Pineapple

Other Benefits of Eating Pineapple

1. Highly nutritious

Pineapples are low in calories (kcal) but highly nutritious. Just 1 cup (165 grams) of pineapple chunks contains the following nutrientsTrusted Source:

Calories: 82.5 kcal

Fat: 0.198 grams (g)

Protein: 0.891 g

Carbs: 21.6 g

Fiber: 2.31 g

Vitamin C: 78.9 milligrams (mg), 88% of the Daily Value (DV)

Manganese: 1.53 mg or 109% of the DV (for women) and 2.3mg or 66% of the DV (for men)

Vitamin B6: 0.185 mg, 11% of the DV

Copper: 0.181 mg, 20% of the DV

Thiamine: 0.13 mg, 11% of the DV

Folate: 29.7 micrograms (mcg), 7% of the DV

Potassium: 180 mg, 4% of the DV

Magnesium: 19.8 mg, 5% of the DV

Niacin: 0.825 mg, 5% of the DV

Pantothenic acid: 0.351 mg, 7% of the DV

Riboflavin: 0.053 mg, 4% of the DV

Iron: 0.478 mg, 3% of the DV

Pineapples also contain trace amounts of phosphorus, zinc, calcium, and vitamins A and K. This fruit is also particularly rich in vitamin C and manganese. Vitamin C is essential for immune health, iron absorption, and growth while manganese offers antioxidant and aids in growth and metabolism.

Antioxidants help prevent oxidation in your body, which may help ward off inflammation that can lead to cancer and other chronic diseases.

2. Contains antioxidants

Pineapples are not only rich in nutrients, but they also contain antioxidants — molecules that help your body ward off oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress is caused by an abundance of free radicals, unstable molecules that cause cell damage often linked to chronic inflammation, weakened immune health, heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers.

Pineapples are especially rich in antioxidants called flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Pineapple’s antioxidants may have heart-protective effects, though human research is lacking.

Moreover, many of the antioxidants in pineapple are considered bound antioxidants, producing longer-lasting effects.

3. May aid digestion

You’ll often find pineapple served alongside meats and poultry in countries such as Brazil.

This fruit contains a group of digestive enzymes called bromelain that may ease the digestion of meat.

Bromelain breaks down protein molecules, meaning your small intestine can more easily absorb them.

This is especially helpful for people with pancreatic insufficiency, a condition in which the pancreas cannot make enough digestive enzymes. Bromelain is also widely used as a commercial meat tenderizer because it breaks down tough meat proteins.

• Bromelain reduced inflammatory markers in digestive tissue, though further research is needed.

Pineapples are also a good source of fiber, which aids digestive health.