Pineapple

Pineapple

Spiky on the outside, sweet on the inside! This tropical fruit has a good balance of sweet and tart taste. I absolutely love having this fruit all year round! Of course they are more abundant and affordable in the summer but lately I have been seeing them reasonably priced and full of flavor. So don’t be shy of this fruit during the colder months!

Health Benefits

Like many vibrant yellow fruits, pineapples contain high amounts of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an amazing antioxidant that fights free radicals {more about this below} and also helps with immune support.

A LITTLE MORE ABOUT ANTIOXIDANTS…

Free radicals// Free radicals are produced in the body {exposure to sun, exercise, damage to cell}. Too many free radicals cause oxidative damage to healthy tissues and induces aging. For those who enjoy chemistry: Free radicals are an unpaired electron in orbit around the nucleus of an atom. In order to regain balance, antioxidants are able to neutralize free radicals and protect the cell from oxidation.

Good on Digestion

Like most fruits & vegetables, pineapple is a great source of dietary fibre, which helps keep your intestines healthy. Pineapple is unique as it also contains significant amounts of an enzyme bromelain that helps breakdown protein, therefore helps digestion. Bromelain has also shown to reduce inflammation.

Main Nutrients// Based on 1 cup of Pineapple

Calories// 80 cals
Manganese// 77% DV – Great for bone health!
Copper// 20% DV
Vitamin C// 107% DV
Vitamin B1// 11% DV
Vitamin B6// 11% DV
Iron// 3%
Calcium// 3%
Protein// 1g

DV=Daily value based on 2,000 calorie diet.

How to select// Pineapples are ready to eat when the bottom half of the pineapple becomes yellow.
How to store// Keep on the counter for up to 1-2 weeks.
How to eat// On its own, in smoothies, juice, in desserts

What’s your favorite way to eat a pineapple?

Want to know what each vitamin or mineral actually does in the body? Click here!

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