Pineapple: Medicinal Uses and Health Benefits.

Pineapple is known scientifically by the name of Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. Its a member of the Bromeliaceae family. Pineapple is known to be a native to South America and believed to be brought to Europe by Spanish explorers. Citric and malic acids are found in good quantities in pineapple fruits. Citric acid concentrations in some cultivars may exceed 8%. Ascorbic acid is also found in moderate amounts in pineapple fruit.

Nutritive values:

• Pineapple contains calcium, potassium, magnesium, fiber ,and vitamin c
• It is low in fat and cholesterol.
• It is also a good source of vitamin, B1, vitamin B6, copper and dietary fiber.

Health benefits of Pineapple:

• Promotes bone growth and strengthens bones due to presence of sufficient amounts of manganese, a mineral considered responsible for healthy bones and connective tissues,
• .believed to be useful for maintaining oral health and juice is considered helpful in healing process after a dental surgery.

• Bromelain, a protein-digesting enzyme in pineapple, has been shown to be an effective treatment in upper respiratory tract infections by suppressing coughs and reducing the thickness of mucus.
• Treating colds, sore throats, and acute sinusitis are other health benefits of pineapple.

• Bromelain reduces inflammation. Bromelain activates compounds that break down fibrin and blocks the production of kinins which both play a role in swelling.
• Because of these effects, it has been used to help treat rheumatoid arthritis and to speed up recovery from injuries and surgery.

• Other health benefits of pineapple is firming skin (by boosting the production of collagen), sloughing off dead skin cells, evening out skin tone, and making tiny wrinkles less noticeable.

• Natural beauty mask using pineapple: