Pineapples: The Healing Fruit Of The Tropics (Includes A Recipe For Pina-Banana Orange Smoothie)

Pineapples: The Healing Fruit Of The Tropics (Includes A Recipe For Pina-Banana Orange Smoothie) was written by Monique N. Gilbert

For a natural and tasty way to improve your health and boost your healingcapacity, add 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 theantioxidant vitamin C, both of which plays a major role in the body’shealing process.

Bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory withanalgesic properties, encourages healing, promotes well-being and hasmany other health benefits. Bromelain is very effective in treatingbruises, sprains and strains by reducing swelling, tenderness and pain.This powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect can also helprelieve osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and reducepostoperative swelling. Additionally, bromelain can relieveindigestion. The enzyme contained in fresh pineapple helps break downthe amino acid bonds in proteins, which promotes good digestion.

Pineapplesalso provide an ample supply of vitamin C, a commonly known antioxidantthat protects the body from free radical damage and boosts the immunesystem. Vitamin C helps build and repair bodily tissue and promoteswound healing. The body uses vitamin C to help metabolize fats andcholesterol, absorb iron, and synthesize amino acids and collagen.Collagen is one of the primary building blocks of skin, cartilage andbones. Vitamin C also decreases the severity of colds and infections.

Furthermore,due to its high vitamin C content, pineapples are good for your oralhealth as well. Recent studies have found that vitamin C can reduceyour risk of gingivitis and periodontal disease. Besides increasing theability of connective tissue to repair itself, vitamin C also increasesthe body’s ability to fight invading bacteria and other toxins thatcontribute to gum disease. Periodontal disease, which destroys gumtissue and underlying jaw bones, has been linked to heart disease,stroke and type 2 diabetes.

So if you are searching for anatural way to enhance your body’s healing mechanisms, promote overallgood health and tantalize your taste buds, pineapples are the way togo. Choose the fresh fruit because it has the most healing properties.Unfortunately, most of the bromelain in canned pineapple is destroyeddue to the heat used in the canning process.

When choosing afresh pineapple, do not judge ripeness solely based upon color. Thereare several varieties on the market that range from green to goldenyellow. The most important factor in determining ripeness is smell, letyour nose help you decide. Ripe pineapples give off a sweet, freshtropical smell. Avoid pineapples that give off an unpleasant odor orhave any soft spots or areas of dark discoloration. Once home, let thepineapple sit on your counter at room temperature until ready to use.This will preserve its sweet and tangy flavor.

To preparepineapple, you need to peel it, remove the eyes (the thorny protrusionswithin the puffy squares of the skin) and the fibrous center. One wayto do this is to remove the top of the pineapple with a sharp knife.Then cut the pineapple lengthwise into 4 wedges (quarter it) and placeeach pineapple wedge horizontally on a cutting board. Carefully cut thefruit from the outer skin, and cut out the eyes and fibrous center core.

Anotherway is to cut off the top and bottom of the pineapple, place thepineapple vertically (upright) on a cutting board and carefully sliceoff the outer skin. With a sharp paring knife or the end if a vegetablepeeler, remove the eyes. Don’t cut too deep, just enough to lift outthe section that contains the eye. Then, slice the pineapple crosswiseand remove the fibrous core individually with a cookie cutter.

Oncethe fruit is prepared, it can be diced and eaten fresh, added to saladsand entrees for an exotic flavor, or made into tasty tropical drinksand smoothies.

To get you started, try Monique N. Gilbert’sdelicious, nutritious, cholesterol-free smoothie recipe. It’s high inbromelain, vitamin C, beta carotene, potassium, thiamin (vitamin B-1),riboflavin (vitamin B-2), iron, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and soyisoflavones.

Pina-Banana Orange Smoothie

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• 1 frozen banana
• 1 cup fresh pineapple
• 1/2 cup soymilk
• 1/3 cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon canned pumpkin
• 1 tablespoon ground flax seeds
• 1 tablespoon honey (optional)

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__Place all of the above ingredients in a food processor or blender. Blend for 1-2 minutes, or until smooth and creamy.Makes about 2-3/4 cups (2 servings)

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