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Pineapple Nutrition Benefits


Pineapples grow well in tropical countries and look like huge pinecones. Cylindrical in shape, it has a spiky and waxy rind. The top portion of the fruit has a thick crown of leaves. When a pineapple becomes ripe, the flesh of the tangy, tart fruit turns yellow and has a distinct aroma. Fibrous and sweet, it has a whiff of acidic taste.


Pineapples are harvested once they become ripe and are sold in fruit markets or sold in tins. 

Tropical fruits such as pineapple taste great when served in salads, as appetizers or in desserts. Sweet and full of flavor, pineapple’s nutrition benefits include vitamins B and C and essential minerals such as copper and manganese. Pineapple nutritional benefits also include a good source of dietary fiber.


The fruit is low in any saturated fats, sodium, and cholesterol content. However, a large portion of the calories in pineapple comes from sugars in the fruit. Consumed in moderate quantities, pineapple may help maintain weight loss.


The natural sugars from the fruit can help kick sweet cravings without upsetting your diet. A blend of pineapple and other tropical fruit juices can act as a mid-afternoon snack. A bowl of mixed fruit that contains pineapple makes for a great summer dessert.


The nutritional benefits of pineapple juice and the fruit itself also provide many health benefits. Fresh, canned, or dried, a pineapple’s health benefits range from aiding in digestion to fighting cancer. Some of the health benefits include:

  • Fresh pineapple health benefits come from a mixture of enzymes found in the fruit called bromelain. Bromelain is known to block inflammation and accelerate healing of wounds or bruises. Bromelain is popularly used as a diet supplement to aid weight loss. However, recent research shows that, bromelain may prove useful in fighting cancerous tumors, digestive disorders, and act as an anti-inflammatory agent.
  • Fresh pineapple may contain enzymes that can break up blood clots, reducing the risk of heart diseases.
  • With a high percentage of Vitamin C, fresh or canned pineapple health benefits include antioxidant benefits. Antioxidants help to reduce and reverse damage caused by the action of free radicals. A diet rich in vitamin C may reduce the risk of RA, cardiovascular diseases, breathing difficulties or asthma, and even colon cancer. Vitamin C is vital for healthy immune system and may prevent recurring infections, flus, and cold sores in children and adults.
  • Tropical fruits such as banana and pineapple provide instant source of energy. Thiamin or vitamin B1 found in pineapple acts as an agent in creating energy. Another important trace mineral, manganese, provides antioxidant protection and boosts the immune system.
  • Manganese is also essential to build bone and maintain connective tissue.
  • Pineapple health benefits include better eyesight. Introducing pineapple into your daily diet may reduce the risk of macular degeneration and provide healthy vision even as you age.
  • Dietary fiber from pineapples is helpful in maintaining a healthy, digestive system. Even expensive spa treatments used fresh fruits such as pineapple to start the detoxification or purifying process.
  • Ripe, fresh pineapple health benefits include diuretic properties.
  • When compared, canned pineapple health benefits maybe lower as compared to fresh pineapples. As a rule, fresh produce maintains its nutritional profile much better than canned, dried or processed fruit and vegetables. In the absence of fresh pineapple, dried or canned pineapple may provide similar health benefits.

Pineapple Nutritional Facts


  • The pineapple is a delicious fruit with a lot of health benefits.
  • A nutritious fruit, the pineapple features in diet plans for cancer patients. It has manganese, sulphur, chlorine, sodium, potassium, magnesium, iron, phosphorous, calcium, proteins and carbohydrates. Pineapples are also a good source of vitamin B2, B1, A and C. Let’s look at some health benefits of pineapples.
  • Bromelain in pineapples is one of the most remarkable nutritional features because bromelain is good for our body in several ways. Bromelain can neutralize fluids, so that these aren’t too acidic. This component also regulates the secretions on the pancreas, which helps in digestion.
  • Pineapples have anti-inflammatory qualities and digestive benefits. The pineapple fruit has bromelain in the core and in the stem. Bromelain has protein digesting properties, which keep the digestive tract healthy. This compound can also reduce the chances of tumor growth, inflammation and coagulation of blood.
  • Pineapples are rich in vitamin C, which is a water-soluble antioxidant that protects the aqueous areas of the body form damage caused by free radicals. These free radicals can form plaque deposits in the arteries, which can lead to heart problems and atherosclerosis. Free radicals can also cause colon cancer, joint pain and arthritis. But with a vitamin C rich diet, which includes eating fruits like pineapples, can prevent these diseases.
  • Vitamin C in pineapples can boost the immune system and prevent flu and common cold.
  • Pineapples are rich in mineral manganese, which is important for energy production.
  • Pineapples can prevent macular degeneration.
  • The manganese in pineapples helps to strengthen the bones and the connective tissues.
  • Pineapples have anti-inflammatory qualities and are good for people suffering from gout, carpal tunnel syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, injuries, surgeries and osteoarthritis.
  • Bromelain in pineapples can dissolve extra mucus and is good for people suffering from sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchitis and asthma. Juice extracted from pineapples is good for sore throats.

Pineapple nutrition facts show high traces of essential minerals such as copper, manganese, magnesium, and potassium. Fresh pineapple nutrition facts show that the fruit contains a high percentage of vitamin C as well as vitamin B complex (thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, panthothenic acid, and pyridoxine). Pineapple also contains traces of folic acid, beta-carotene and adequate amounts of dietary fiber. Since pineapples are tropical fruits, they maybe available only seasonally. Individuals may prefer to buy dried or canned pineapple chunks when fresh pineapple is not available in stores. Dried pineapple nutrition facts stay the same as fresh pineapples. However, the drying process may involve concentration of fruit sugars. While reading dried pineapple nutrition facts, pay special attention to calories per serving, which may increase due to concentrated sugars.

You may also find it easy to cook with canned pineapple. These are available in different varieties such as pulp, chunk, frozen, or chunks in liquid. Canned pineapple nutrition facts may vary depending on whether you use pineapples in syrup or juice. Certain brands such as Dole offer alternatives such as pineapple in 100 percent juice or heavy syrup. Dole pineapple nutrition facts may vary depending on the serving size and how you choose to incorporate the juice or syrup. Dole pineapple nutrition facts include almost 80 percent vitamin C, 2 percent iron and 8 percent dietary fiber per serving.  A 3/4cup of Dole pineapple fruit (minus the syrup) may provide up to 70 calories.

Pineapple features include a pinecone like structure, which gives the fruit its name. The outer skin can be tough and spiny with colors varying from green to golden to reddish brown. Fresh, sweet, and exotic, these pineapple qualities make it a great addition to both sweet and savory dishes. Apart from its exotic taste, studies reveal essential pineapple fruit benefits in daily diet and medicine. Pineapples are also a naturally low fat, cholesterol free, low sodium food. Pineapple for the immune system: Pineapples are an excellent source of vitamin C. Vitamin C provides all the benefits of an antioxidant reversing and reducing the damage caused by free radicals. Additionally, vitamin C helps to maintain immune system health and fight diseases.

Thus, these were some of the pineapple nutritional facts.

Submitted on May 23, 2011
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