Health benefits of pineapples

[Happyflowerlady]

I love pineapples ! Not only are they so delicious they are extremely healthy for us. The enzymes in pineapple are anti-inflammatory, as well as a natural pain-reliever, so when the old arthritis kicks in, and I am hobbling along, I usually declare it a Pineapple Day. After my pineapple fast, by the next day, I am usually up and around again, and sometimes it doesn't even take all day to help. It just has to be a raw, ripe pineapple, so that it has all of the fresh enzymes.
Pineapple is also one of the foods on the anti-cancer diet, so I believe it is good to include as many of those foods in my diet as possible, so I can keep that nasty disease at bay, and out of my life hopefully.

 

[Anne]

I know the best is the fresh, raw pineapple, but I wonder about canned pineapple?? It is delicious, but possibly enzymes are destroyed by heat and canning??

 

[Happyflowerlady]

I know the best is the fresh, raw pineapple, but I wonder about canned pineapple?? It is delicious, but possibly enzymes are destroyed by heat and canning??

Anne, the cooking and processing of the pineapple does destroy the enzymes, as well as a lot of the natural vitamins in the pineapple. Also, much of the canned pineapple has added sugar, which will cause you to have an arthritis flare ; so eating the pineapple fresh and raw is imperative. If you live close to an Aldi store, they often have fresh pineapple for $1 each, and you can't go wrong at that price !

Actually, there are many other fruits and vegetables that help with arthritis pain, but I have found that pineapple and cherries are the ones that work the best for me. I used to have a link to foods that were anti-inflammatory, but I am not sure if I still have it, or if it is still good. I will look for it, and if I can find it, I will post it on the forum.

 

[SeaBreeze]

I eat fresh pineapples also, usually buy them when on sale. Bromelain, which is found in the fresh fruit is well known for anti-inflammatory properties, as well as a cancer fighter. I don't think that canned pineapple has the same benefits, although I have some packed for my camping trip...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bromelain

 

[Happyflowerlady]

I didn't find the exact link that I was looking for about pineapple benefits, but I looked on YouTube, and I found this great little video. It not only describes all the health benefits of pineapple, she also shows how to choose a good, ripe pineapple, and then goes through the process of cutting it into quarters and slices, and makes a beautiful serving by using the pineapple skin.
She also explains that the bromelain is found in the core of the pineapple, but the way she cuts it up, it is not like eating a lot of it at a time.
Here is the link to the video:

http://youtu.be/XlRJjMdIOLE

 

[That Guy]

Ahhh, the memories of stealing pineapples from the fields in Hawaii as a kid. Wheeeeee!

I've read that pineapple is great for fighting inflammation. When I was in a juicing craze, everything was subject to that extractor. Tried pineapple but it was really messy.