49 Healthy Uses for Pineapples

A recent report even suggests that pineapple may be a great alternative treatment for arthritis!

Image: www.siddham.in

Anti-Inflammatory Pineapple Ginger Smoothie w/Recipe

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This smoothie is sure to help ease symptoms of inflammation! If you rather yourself a cool treat for these hot summer days, just freeze the pineapple and mango before blending!

Pineapples contain bromelain enzyme which is a powerful anti-inflammatory (read all about it HERE). This famous pain relieving enzyme has been synthesized and isolated into supplements to treat inflammation and pain naturally. Ginger contains very powerful anti-inflammatory compounds called gingerols. These substances are believed to explain why so many people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis experience reductions in their pain levels and improvements in their mobility when they consume ginger regularly.

  Ingredients:
- 2 cups ripe pineapple
- 1 cup ripe mango
- large knob of ginger (about 2-4 inches)
- 1 cup young thai coconut water (you may add the coconut meat too from inside the coconut if you please)
- 1 tsp. fresh vanilla

Blend all ingredients for 20-30 seconds and enjoy!



Source: Live Love Fruite

Health Benefits of Pineapple

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The bromeliad family of plants very rarely produce edible fruit – with the exception of pineapple, that is. The pineapple is the only available edible bromeliad today! One pineapple is actually made up of individual flowerets that grow and weave together to form the beautiful golden fruit we call a pineapple.

The pineapples lush, sweet, exotic flavour make it a family favourite – but did you know that pineapple is also one of the most healthful foods available today?

Bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme in pineapples, is often used as a supplement itself to help boost health and clear up various health issues. Of course, eating pineapple in itself will deliver these same effects such as better heart and circulatory health, improvement in asthma and other breathing conditions as well as improved immunity, reduced inflammation and suppressed growth of cancer cells.

Anti-inflammatory Benefits

Bromelain possesses anticoagulant properties, and thus slows down the ability of blood to clot. This, combined with bromelain’s anti-inflammatory properties, make it a great nutritional supplement (in pure form – aka. eating a pineapple) for bruise prevention and to reduce swelling and redness from burns or sports injuries. Consuming pineapple after surgery is another way to reduce the trauma associated with incisions or injections.

There are a variety of inflammatory-related conditions, ranging from arthritis to inflammatory bowel disease and sinusitis as well as inflammatory skin conditions like eczema, acne, rosacea, dermatitis and psoriasis. The list doesn’t end there. In fact, many diseases nowadays are caused by a major influx of inflammation in the cells and tissues, whether that be from consuming the wrong foods or living in less-than-optimal environmental conditions (i.e., chemical hazards, smog, pollution, etc.).

Bromelain has been useful in treating all of the above inflammatory disorders. The major mechanism of action of bromelain is proteolytic in nature, and may also involve immunomodulatory and hormone like activity acting via intracellular signalling pathways. It has also been shown that bromelain significantly reduces CD4+T lymphocytes, which are the primary effectors involved in inflammation in the body.

Research also indicates that the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis can be reduced by supplementing with 200 – 400 mg of bromelain per day (or you could just eat lots of pineapple every day and get the same effects – remember, the natural, real form of these enzymes are far better than their modified, synthetic form).

Immunity & Cancer

Research published in the journal Planta Medica, found that the chemotherapy drug, 5-fluorauracil, was incredibly inferior to bromelain when treating cancer in an animal study. Those treated with bromelain survived 263% times more than those treated with 5-fluorauracil, relative to the untreated control. Bromelain caused no external harm to the animals, other than improving their health. Chemotherapy drugs do more harm than good, and actually kill off your healthy cells, and make more chemo resistant and malignant cell types within the tumour (meaning the cancer becomes resistant to the chemo drugs).

In addition, the anti-inflammatory and anti-coagulant effects of bromelain help to boost our immunity. Studies have shown that it may be able to enhance certain immune receptors in the body, and thus enhance the ability of the body to defend against bacteria and viruses at a more efficient rate. Bromelain helps mechanisms that are already in place to work faster, and more efficiently together, and to allow cells to communicate better with one another.

Pineapple is also incredibly rich in vitamin C, which is the body’s primary water-soluble antioxidant. It defends against free radicals that attack and damage normal cells. Vitamin C is essential for proper immune function, and has also been extensively studied by Dr. Ronal Hunninghake (15-year research project called RECNAC), who showed that vitamin C was selectively cytotoxic against cancer cells in cell cultures.

Heart & Circulatory Health and Breathing Conditions

Bromelain, being an anti-coagulant, means that it may allow blood to flow more freely through the circulatory system. Blood that flows more freely is thinner, and is associated with a reduced chance of stroke, heart attack and other circulatory and heart related issues.

Not only does it help with cardiovascular health, but pineapple’s bromelain enzyme also works in such a way that it breaks down mucus and thins its consistency. In conditions like asthma where breathing is often blocked by thick mucus in the lungs, bromelain acts as a mucus thinner, and helps un-clog the bronchial tubes of the lungs, helping patients breathe better.

All parts of the pineapple contain bromelain, however, the core of the pineapple has more concentrated amounts – be sure to stick the core through a juicer to get all the benefits out of your next pineapple feast!

Sources: Live Love Fruit

Tochi, B., Wang, Z., Xu, S., & Zhang, W. (2008). Therapeutic application of pineapple protease (bromelain): A review. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 7, 513-520.

Gaby, A. (1999). Alternative treatments for rheumatoid arthritis. Altern Med Rev, 4, 392-402.

Maurer, H. (2001) Bromelain: biochemistry, pharmacology, and medical use. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences CMLS, 58, 1234-1245.

Related Articles: 

More Reasons To Eat Fruit!

Fruits and veggies that are good for detoxing

Reduce Arthritis and Inflammatory Pain

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Eat these foods and add these to your diet to reduce inflammation and pain! TURMERIC or Circumin, the active compound in this spice, is what makes it so powerful for healing. CHERRIES contain substances called anthocyanosides which are very effective at lowering uric acid levels. GINGER can be made into a tea from roots or be added to juices or smoothies.PINEAPPLE contains the anti-inflammatory bromeliad. OMEGA-3 FOODS try freshly ground flax seeds, chia seeds unground, and hemp seeds. RAW APPLE CIDER VINEGAR - pour a tablespoon or two into 4-8 oz of purified water.

Source : Dave Sommers, Natural Society

Related Articles:

Using Essential Oils For Arthritis

How using a sauna can improve your health

Health benefits of coconut milk

7 Foods That Prevent Grout

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Gout is a disease that is caused by uric acid build-up in the body. Uric acid is formed when the digestive system breaks down purines in our food. A diet low in purines helps by allowing excess uric acid to be flushed out in the urine.

Some foods that prevent gout:

PINEAPPLE
Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain that is an anti-inflammatory. Research has found that supplementing with bromelain may relieve the pain associated with gout.

Ginger
Ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory that has been found reapeatedly in clinical studies to reduce chronic inflammation. One study in mice found that a compound in ginger may help to reduce the inflammation associated with uric acid buildup.

Turmeric
Turmeric has long been recognized as an anti-inflammatory by many cultures and has been proven in several studies. Some experts recommend a daily dose of turmeric to reduce the inflammation associated with gout.

Cherry Juice
Cherry juice has been used to alleiviate gout symptoms for decades. Small studies in Italy and the United States have reported sucess with cherry juice as a gout treatment, though scientists are not certain what mechanism is active in producing this result. Cherry juice does not appear to lower uric acid levels directly but research suggests that its antiinflammatory properties may play a role in reducing gout attack occurrence from 3-4 times per year to about once a year.

Hot Peppers
Hot peppers are rich in vitamin C which has been shown to reduce uric acid levels.

Watercress
Watercress contains moderate levels of vitamins and minerals and is reputed to be very beneficial to the kidneys. It may help to rid the body of excess uric acid.

Lemons
Studies have found that the higher a person's vitamin C intake, the lower the incidence of gout. Try adding lemon to your water every day to alleviate gout symptoms.

Source : Dave Sommers, Health Diaries

Related Articles :

Health Benefits Of Turmeric

http://www.naturalcuresnotmedicine.com/2013/03/health-benefits-of-turmeric.html

The Health Benefits of Ginger (video)

http://www.naturalcuresnotmedicine.com/2013/02/the-health-benefits-of-ginger-video.html

Amazing healing power of lemons

http://www.naturalcuresnotmedicine.com/2013/03/amazing-healing-power-of-lemons.html

Health wonders of pineapple

Pineapple is a popular tropical fruit.  You can find it as an ingredient in fruit salads, cooked dishes, or as a meal in itself.  Not only is pineapple delicious and versatile for cooking but you can also benefit greatly from eating it.  Pick up a pineapple from the grocery store, enjoy a nutritional boost and grow a pineapple tree!

Forget candy or greasy donuts, nutrition is nature's health insurance.  Here is how you can prevent disease by enjoying pineapple and how you can turn any pineapple you eat into a pineapple tree of your own!

Vitamin C:  Vitamin C is hailed as "the detox vitamin," removing free radicals from the body that may cause damage to various organs and tissue.

Alleviate arthritis:  The natural anti inflammatory effects of pineapple can do wonders for arthritis patients.  Pineapple also strengthens the bones and can be helpful with similar conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and gout.

Prevent macular degeneration:  Macular degeneration, which is caused by damage to the retna, is a major cause for vision loss in adults.  Pineapples contain beta carotene which helps maintain eye health.

Fiber:  Fiber is an important part of the digestive process.  It helps move food through the body and remove waste while also lowering cholesterol and managing blood sugar levels.  When you eat food that contains a good amount of natural fiber, you will feel more full too.

Improve digestion:  Pineapples contain bromelain which helps tremendously with digestion.  Bromelain helps to process fluids taken into the body to make sure that they are not too acidic and regulates pancreatic secretions to aid in digestion.  Brmelain also has a good impact on the digestive track because it has protein digesting properties.

Vitamin B:  Pineapple contains vitamin B which can aid the body in metabolizing fats and digesting proteins.  Vitamin B is also thought to help lower the risk of developing cancer as well as heart disease.

Grab a whole pineapple, cut off the spiny outer skin, core it, and lob off the stem that has leaves growing out of it on the top.  Place the top in some fresh water and some sunlight until it grows roots and then plant in your garden or a flower pot to transplant later.  Enjoy the fruit and enjoy watching your new pineapple tree grow!

Source https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rawforbeauty/222272341214778

Read more of our great posts about healing fruits!

Best Smoothie To Start The Day!

More Reasons To Eat Fruit!

The Sour Sop Can Kill Cancer

10 Health Benefits From Pomegranates

6 More Natural Pain Killers

• Grapes (back pain)
• Yogurt (prevents PMS)
• Oats (Endrometrial)
• Salt (foot pain)
• Pineapple (digestive upsets)
• Peppermint (muscle pain)

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