Pineapple 'The Stomach's Friend'

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  Fresh pineapple is low in calories. It is a storehouse of several unique health promoting compounds, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.
  
  
• 100 g fruit provides just about 50 calories equivalent to that of apples. Its flesh contains no saturated fats or cholesterol; however, it is rich source of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber like pectin. Pineapple or fresh pineapple juice consumed before meals reduces appetite and constitutes a good complement to weight-loss diet.
  
  
• Pineapple fruit contains a proteolytic enzyme bromelain that digests food by breaking down protein. Bromelain also has anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting and anti-cancer properties. Studies have shown that consumption of pineapple regularly helps fight against arthritis, indigestion and worm infestation.
  
  -Stomach cancer: It has been shown that pineapple is a powerful inhibitor of the formation of nitrosamines. These carcinogenic substances form in the stomach as a chemical reaction between nitrites and certain proteins contained in foods
  
• Fresh pineapple is an excellent source of antioxidant vitamin; vitamin C. 100 g fruit contains 47.8 or 80% of this vitamin. Vitamin C is required for the collagen synthesis in the body. Collagen is the main structural protein in the body required for maintaining the integrity of blood vessels, skin, organs, and bones. Regular consumption of foods rich in vitamin C helps the body protect from scurvy; develop resistance against infectious agents (boosts immunity) and scavenge harmful, pro-inflammatory free radicals from the body.
  
  
• It also contains small amount Vitamin A (provides 58 IU per 100 g) and beta-carotene levels. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties. Vitamin A is also required maintaining healthy mucus membranes, skin and essential for vision. Studies have suggested that consumption of natural fruits rich in flavonoids helps the human body to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
  
  
• In addition, this fruit is rich in B-complex group of vitamins like folates, thiamin, pyridoxine, riboflavin and minerals like copper, manganese and potassium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, helps controlling heart rate and blood pressure. Copper is a helpful cofactor for red blood cell synthesis. Manganese is a co-factor for the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which is a very powerful free radical scavenger. Manganese is also actively involved in the formation of reproductive cells, both male and female. It is therefore recommended for those suffering from sterility due to insufficient production of germinal cells (sperm in men and ova in women).
  
  1 cup of pineapple chunks contains:
  
• Calories: 74 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 19.5 g 
• Protein: 0.9 g
• Fat: 0.2 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Glycemic Index: Medium

 How to Include More Pineapple in Your Diet

• Add to salad or make this easy Pineapple salsa to accompany grilled seafood
• Include pineapple in your smoothies
• Top sandwiches or burgers with pineapple slices
• Serve grilled pineapple slices for dessert: Cut a fresh pineapple into thick rings, lightly brush with canola oil, and grill for 2 minutes on each side