For a natural and tasty way to improve your health and boost your healing capacity, add fresh pineapple and pineapple juice to your diet. Pineapples are nutritionally packed members of the bromeliad family. This delightful tropical fruit is high in the enzyme bromelain and the antioxidant vitamin C, both of which plays a major role in the body's healing process.
Bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory with analgesic properties, encourages healing, promotes well-being and has many other health benefits. Bromelain is very effective in treating bruises, sprains and strains by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain. This powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect can also help relieve osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and reduce postoperative swelling. Additionally, bromelain can relieve indigestion. The enzyme contained in fresh pineapple helps break down the amino acid bonds in proteins, which promotes good digestion.
Pineapples also provide an ample supply of vitamin C, a commonly known antioxidant that protects the body from free radical damage and boosts the immune system. Vitamin C helps build and repair bodily tissue and promotes wound healing. The body uses vitamin C to help metabolize fats and cholesterol, absorb iron, and synthesize amino acids and collagen. Collagen is one of the primary building blocks of skin, cartilage and bones. Vitamin C also decreases the severity of colds and infections.
Furthermore, due to its high vitamin C content, pineapples are good for your oral health as well. Recent studies have found that vitamin C can reduce your risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Besides increasing the ability of connective tissue to repair itself, vitamin C also increases the body's ability to fight invading bacteria and other toxins that contribute to gum disease. Periodontal disease, which destroys gum tissue and underlying jaw bones, has been linked to heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
So if you are searching for a natural way to enhance your body's healing mechanisms, promote overall good health and tantalize your taste buds, pineapples are the way to go. Choose the fresh fruit because it has the most healing properties. Unfortunately, most of the bromelain in canned pineapple is destroyed due to the heat used in the canning process.
When choosing a fresh pineapple, do not judge ripeness solely based upon color. There are several varieties on the market that range from green to golden yellow. The most important factor in determining ripeness is smell, let your nose help you decide. Ripe pineapples give off a sweet, fresh tropical smell. Avoid pineapples that give off an unpleasant odor or have any soft spots or areas of dark discoloration. Once home, let the pineapple sit on your counter at room temperature until ready to use. This will preserve its sweet and tangy flavor.
To prepare pineapple, you need to peel it, remove the eyes (the thorny protrusions within the puffy squares of the skin) and the fibrous center. One way to do this is to remove the top of the pineapple with a sharp knife. Then cut the pineapple lengthwise into 4 wedges (quarter it) and place each pineapple wedge horizontally on a cutting board. Carefully cut the fruit from the outer skin, and cut out the eyes and fibrous center core.
Another way is to cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple, place the pineapple vertically (upright) on a cutting board and carefully slice off the outer skin. With a sharp paring knife or the end if a vegetable peeler, remove the eyes. Don't cut too deep, just enough to lift out the section that contains the eye. Then, slice the pineapple crosswise and remove the fibrous core individually with a cookie cutter.
Once the fruit is prepared, it can be diced and eaten fresh, added to salads and entrees for an exotic flavor, or made into tasty tropical drinks and smoothies.
To get you started, try Monique N. Gilbert's delicious, nutritious, cholesterol-free smoothie recipe. It's high in bromelain, vitamin C, beta carotene, potassium, thiamin (vitamin B-1), riboflavin (vitamin B-2), iron, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and soy isoflavones.
Pina-Banana Orange Smoothie
__________________________________________
1 frozen banana
1 cup fresh pineapple
1/2 cup soymilk
1/3 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon canned pumpkin
1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
1 tablespoon honey (optional)
__________________________________________
Place all of the above ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend for 1-2 minutes, or until smooth and creamy. Makes about 2-3/4 cups (2 servings)
Copyright © Monique N. Gilbert - All Rights Reserved
Monique N. Gilbert, B.Sc. is a Health, Nutrition, Weight-Loss & Lifestyle Coach; Certified Personal Trainer/Fitness Counselor; Recipe Developer; Freelance Writer and Author of Virtues of Soy: A Practical Health Guide and Cookbook. http://www.MoniqueNGilbert.com
She has offered guidance in natural health, nutrition, fitness, weight-loss and stress management since 1989. She has received international recognition for helping people get healthy, manage stress, lose weight and keep it off. Through her coaching program and writings, Monique motivates and teaches how to improve your well-being, vitality and longevity with balanced nutrition, physical activity and healthy living. For more information, visit her website.
Information on potassiumWhen you read about potassium and senate document... Read More
The word herb is used to refer to any part... Read More
PROTEIN DEFICIENT? CHANCES ARE YOU ARE!Did you know that 9... Read More
Cholesterol is present in our bodies by one of two... Read More
Food in general has the distinction of being probably the... Read More
About 12.6 million Americans currently have heart disease.1.1 million Americans... Read More
Your magnificent machine is, in fact, a symbiotic collection of... Read More
How did we cure ourselves of many aches pains and... Read More
Fat is a nutrient that is a contributor to the... Read More
Question from Jack:A question from Jack, one of the subscribers... Read More
There are numerous diets out there that guarantee that they... Read More
Heart disease remains the number one cause of death in... Read More
Most recipes end with instructions to "serve immediately." You could... Read More
Since the 1930's the western diet has dramatically changed. This... Read More
Before we get to honey we have a question from... Read More
Post nasal drip is a sensation of mucous build up... Read More
Nuts are readily available and provide a highly nutritious food.... Read More
Secretly we all want just a few things in life,... Read More
Our bodies are truly incredible machines. What makes cells healthy?... Read More
I would like to dispel some of the myths and... Read More
Many of us sprinkle oregano on our pizza and stews... Read More
Can we really stop the aging process, slow it down,... Read More
Copyright © 2004 Priya Shah Glutathione, the body's... Read More
What is the Atkins diet and how can it help... Read More
It slows ageing, promotes healthy vision, has anti-cancer properties, increases... Read More
After WLS we must concentrate on eating nutrient rich food.... Read More
If you are like most people, you are probably confused... Read More
A fictional overheard conversation at a Thelma's Fine Dining.Hi, I'm... Read More
A hundred years ago, life was very different here on... Read More
Before the thirties, people knew the importance of mineral. Their... Read More
According to the renowned research scientist and inventor of the... Read More
I'll preface this article by saying that it will help... Read More
To research the health risks Sweet 'N Low and other... Read More
After WLS we must concentrate on eating nutrient rich food.... Read More
ABC News has recently focused on the possible anti-aging benefits... Read More
We've heard it not only once or twice or even... Read More
Recently, I had the pleasure of seeing my 6-month old... Read More
Okay, before we start, let me explain the purpose of... Read More
Today, more than ever, consumers over the age of 50... Read More
There are a lot of very good reasons to eat... Read More
What is health? Everyone wants this thing called health, and... Read More
Green tea has been used as for medical remedies in... Read More
Do you know anyone who can't consume milk or milk-based... Read More
THE RISKThe primary symptom of acid reflux is obvious to... Read More
The proliferation of fast food restaurants, convenience stores, and vending... Read More
Most of us are "regular" people. We don't eat the... Read More
The most incredible thing you can do for yourself is... Read More
While oxygen is the key to human survival, it is... Read More
Nutrition is extremely important for any young person, especially an... Read More
Archeological records indicate that man has cultivated the olive tree... Read More
Everyone can benefit from understanding how food affects our... Read More
Recently I found the book : "Eating and health according... Read More
Information on potassiumWhen you read about potassium and senate document... Read More
I would like to dispel some of the myths and... Read More
Flaxseeds may be the smallest seeds you will find in... Read More
You're always hungry right? The last thing you have time... Read More
With new research, new products and new skin protection advice... Read More
The best weight training and cardio workouts will do very... Read More
It is amazing to be able to say I am... Read More
The word herb is used to refer to any part... Read More
Students might start thinking a little differently, once they learn... Read More
Evidence suggesting that alcohol is "cardio-protective" first appeared in the... Read More
The sugar industry and the food manufacturers are capitalizing BIG... Read More
I had finally come to a place in my life... Read More
The debate regarding Fluoride continues to rage, is it good... Read More
It is believed that cane sugar was discovered before the... Read More
Nutrition |