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Health> Pineapples
Pineapples: Nature's
Healing Fruit
By Monique N. Gilbert,
B.Sc.
Published September 2002
Want to give your body a
boost in health and healing? Then you may want
to add some fresh pineapple and pineapple juice
to your diet. Pineapples are nutritionally packed
members of the bromeliad family. This delightful
tropical fruit is high in the enzyme bromelain
and the antioxidant vitamin C, both of which plays
a major role in the body's healing process.
Bromelain is a natural anti-inflammatory
that has many health benefits and encourages healing.
According to Dr. Andrew Weil, bromelain is very
effective in treating bruises, sprains and strains
by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain. This
powerful anti-inflammatory effect can also help
relieve rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and reduce
postoperative swelling. Additionally, the bromelain
contained in fresh pineapple can relieve indigestion.
This enzyme helps break down the amino acid bonds
in proteins, which promotes good digestion.
Pineapples provide an ample
supply of vitamin C too, a commonly known antioxidant
that protects the body from free radical damage
and boosts the immune system. Vitamin C helps
build and repair bodily tissue and promotes wound
healing. The body uses vitamin C to help metabolize
fats and cholesterol, absorb iron, and synthesize
amino acids and collagen. Collagen is one of the
primary building blocks of skin, cartilage and
bones. Vitamin C also decreases the severity of
colds and infections.
Furthermore, due to its
high vitamin C content, pineapples are good for
your oral health as well. A study conducted at
the State University of New York at Buffalo found
that vitamin C can reduce your risk of gingivitis
and periodontal disease. Besides increasing the
ability of connective tissue to repair itself,
vitamin C also increases the body's ability to
fight invading bacteria and other toxins that
contribute to gum disease. Periodontal disease,
which destroys gum tissue and underlying jaw bones,
has been linked to heart disease, stroke and type
2 diabetes.
So if you want a natural
way to enhance your body's healing mechanisms,
promote overall good health and tantalize your
taste buds, pineapples are the way to go. Choose
the fresh fruit because it has the most healing
properties. Unfortunately, most of the bromelain
in canned pineapple is destroyed due to the heat
used in the canning process. When choosing a fresh
pineapple, do not judge ripeness solely based
upon color. There are several varieties on the
market that range from green to golden yellow.
The most important factor in determining ripeness
is smell, let your nose help you decide. Ripe
pineapples give off a sweet, fresh tropical smell.
Avoid pineapples that give off an unpleasant odor
or have any soft spots or areas of dark discoloration.
Once home, let the pineapple sit on your counter
at room temperature until ready to use. This will
preserve its sweet and tangy flavor.
To prepare pineapple, you
need to peel it, remove the eyes (the thorny protrusions
within the puffy squares of the skin) and the
fibrous center. First, cut off the top and bottom
of the pineapple with a sharp knife. Place the
pineapple upright on a cutting board and carefully
slice off the outer skin. With a sharp paring
knife or the end if a vegetable peeler, remove
the eyes. Don't cut too deep, just enough to lift
out the section that contains the eye. Then, remove
the fibrous core. One way to do this is to cut
the pineapple lengthwise into 4 wedges (quarter
it) and cut around the fibrous center core. Another
popular way is to slice the pineapple crosswise
and remove the cores individually with a cookie
cutter. Once the fruit is prepared, it can be
diced and eaten fresh, added to salads and entrees
for an exotic flavor, or made into tasty tropical
drinks.
Here is a delicious, nutritious,
cholesterol-free smoothie recipe high in bromelain,
vitamin C, potassium, thiamin (vitamin B-1), riboflavin
(vitamin B-2), iron, fiber and isoflavones.
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1 frozen banana
1 cup fresh pineapple
3/4 cup soymilk
1 tablespoon honey or sugar (optional)
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Blend all of the above ingredients
in a food processor or blender for 1-2 minutes,
until smooth and creamy.
Makes about 2-3/4 cups (2 servings)
Copyright
© Monique N. Gilbert - All Rights Reserved.
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About
this writer: Monique
N. Gilbert, B.Sc., is a Health Advocate, Certified Personal Trainer/Fitness
Counselor, Recipe Developer, Freelance Writer and Author. Visit her site
at http://www.geocities.com/virtuesofsoy/
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Monique
N. Gilbert, Soy Food Connoisseur, Recipe Developer and
Author of... "Virtues of Soy: A Practical Health Guide and
Cookbook" (Universal Publishers, 2001).
Monique
N. Gilbert, B.Sc., has received international recognition for helping
people get healthier, feel better, look younger and live longer.
Through her coaching program and writings, Monique motivates, inspires
and teaches how to naturally enhancing your health, happiness, energy
and longevity with balanced nutrition, physical activity and tranquil
living environments. Monique believes it is her mission to educate
and enlighten everyone about the benefits of healthy eating and
a vibrant stress-free lifestyle. For more information, visit her
website - http://www.MoniqueNGilbert.com |
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