Pineapple Benefits (According to Ayurveda)

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Pineapple's sweet piquant flavor adds exuberance to any meal - whether atop a Virginia ham, a pineapple pizza, or pureed into pina colada. The festive and vibrant yellow color coupled with succulent sweetness creates an instant party in your mouth. Pineapple consumption is often followed by sticky fingers, smiling lips, and fibers caught in the teeth. This tender sun kissed fruit is a symbol of celebration.

When you're eating a pineapple, consider that it is the product of 100 or more flowers. Each flower turns into a fruit which unites with the surrounding fruits. Through this vast union of 100 or more fruits, a pineapple is born. Pineapple's name comes from its resemblance to a pine cone.

Pineapple energizes you at first bite. Your mouth salivates. Your eyes water. Your circulation picks up speed. Its pungent and sour tastes increase heat in the body and stimulate sharp clarity in your mind. The sweetness raises your blood sugar levels. You may find yourself more alert and motivated after eating pineapple as it fans the flames of your inner fire strengthening both your digestion and zest for life. Beware of an underripe pineapple which is very acidic and may damage your teeth.

Digestive support

Pineapple totes a powerful mix of digestive enzymes such as bromelain. Bromelain is found in all parts of the plant but is most concentrated in the stem. In fact, pineapple stems are used in the creation of digestive enzyme supplements, but at home you use the fruit to enhance sluggish or weak digestion. Higher concentrations of bromelaine is dependant upon growth in selenium rich soil.

Bromelain specifically supports protein digestion - making pineapple the perfect meat marinade and tenderizer. The best way to receive the digestion enhancing effects of bromelain is by following this gourmet culinary trick: inject the pineapple juice directly into the meat via a cooking syringe. The results will be tender and succulent.

Bromelain's enzymes are versatile and hearty. They work both in the stomach's acidic environment and in the alkaline conditions of the small intestine. Best of all, bromelain is easily absorbed while remaining potent.

Pineapple is useful in both indigestion and loss of appetite. Beyond the joy of its lusciousness, pineapple's sour taste enhances digestive secretions. Its sharpness improves blood flow to the digestive tract. Its juicyness hydrates you. Altogether pineapple can enhance the absorption of nutrients and medicines, especially antibiotics. Pineapple may be helpful in hypoacidity due to atrophic gastritis or h pylori infections.

Pineapple can destroy unwelcome worms and parasites (krumi) in your digestive tract. Bromelain springs into action here by breaking down the protein structures of parasites and assisting in the digestion of worms.

Through its bromelain boost, pineapple promotes the death of cells that are no longer needed. This action helps prevent blood clots, edema and various cardiovascular diseases. Pineapple supports wound healing by removing damaged tissue from the site of injury. It has been credited with the power to stave off cancer and diabetes by improving digestion.

Pitta and Kapha beware. Because it is sharp and pungent, pineapple can aggravate Pitta. It's sweet and moistening qualities can overload Kapha. While tantalizing and tempting, enjoy this nectarous fruit in moderation only if you have a pitta or kapha body type.

Anti-inflammatory / Clears Heat

As an anti-inflammatory, pineapple clears heat and can be useful in cases of sunstroke. In summer, overexposure to heat depletes fluids and exhausts vitality (prana) in your body. The sweet and succulent nature of pineapple replenishes your strength and energy levels. Pineapple is helpful with diarrhea, bronchitis, sinusitis and arthritis.

As if you needed more reason to love pineapple other than its tropical deliciousness, you're now equipped with biting evidence of its lively health benefits.