22 Health Benefits of Eating Pineapples (With Simple Recipes)

Sturdy and prickly on the outside; fragrant, delicious and extremely healthy inside. Pineapple was named as the healthiest fruit in the world and for some seriously important reasons.^[1] They contain zero fat and cholesterol, and plentiful of vitamins A, B, C, potassium, manganese, cooper and a dozen of other minerals and nutrients our bodies regularly need.

What does all that mean for you? Well, you are probably unaware of the following 22 health benefits of pineapples.

P.S. I have 5 healthy pineapple recipes recommended to you at the end of this article!

1. Boost your immune system

Pineapples are a powerful source of vitamin C and, in fact, contain half of the daily recommended value for an adult according to Food and Drug Administration. Vitamin C is also a primary water-soluble antioxidant that fights cell damage.^[2]

Our bodies need sufficient vitamin C to fight cell damage and prevent joint pains and heart diseases.

2. Strengthen your bones

In addition to containing loads of vitamin C, pineapples also have plenty of manganese which strengthens bones and connecting tissues. One study also suggests that manganese helps preventing osteoporosis in post-menopausal women.^[3]

One cup of fresh pineapple juice contains over 70% of the required daily dose of manganese. Kids, adults and elderly people should eat a few chunks of pineapple a day to keep their bodies strong.

3. A great remedy for sinuses and allergy swellings

Again, it’s all about vitamin C and bromelain which helps to reduce mucus in the throat and nose.^[4]

If you are exposed to seasonal allergies incorporate pineapples to your diet, along with some extra bromelain supplements to ease up your condition.

4. Reduce blood clot

Bromelain helps reduce excessive coagulation of the blood.

Frequent flyers, flight attendants, movers, and other folks at risk for blood clots, pineapples should be your go-to snack!

5. Reduce stress

Pineapples contain a good level of several B vitamins which propel your brain to function better and boost your ability to deal with stress efficiently.

6. Keep your eyes healthy

Due to the high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C, pineapple reduces the risk of macular degeneration – an eye disease, causing vision lose.^[5] Elder people are particularly exposed to it.

Also, it contains a lot of beta carotene – an essential element needed for healthy vision that should be consumed regularly.

7. Treat colds and cough

Thanks to the huge level of anti-inflammatory bromelain and vitamin C, pineapple can be a great remedy for treating nasty colds and coughing.

Bromelain is also known to reduce swelling and respiratory problems. Enzymes that pineapples contain reduce inflammation and clean up excessive mucus in the respiratory system.

The next time you feel sick, drink a glass of pineapple juice instead of orange juice. Your recovery will start much sooner.

Check out this quick pineapple recipe for cough: Pineapple Cough Suppressant Drink Recipe

8. Help prevent cancer

Pineapples contain loads of antioxidants that help to capture and fight against free radicals. This slows down the cell damage process, thus preventing some types of cancer.^[6]

In fact, research has found that pineapple enzymes can shrink or kill cancer cells.^[7]

9. Strengthen your gums

Astringent agents abundant in pineapples help to tighten up gum tissues and even prevent oral cancer. In fact, pineapples are often prescribed to fix loosening of teeth or the the retraction of the gums.

Keep your teeth healthy and strong by munching some pineapples.

10. Reduce blood pressure

Among other vitamins and minerals, pineapples contain a great deal of potassium. Potassium is a strong natural vasodilator, meaning it eases the tension of the blood vessels and promotes proper blood circulation to various parts of the body.

As your blood vessels relax, your blood pressure reduces and the flow of blood is less restricted. So, pineapples can help prevent such conditions as stroke and atherosclerosis.

11. Improve digestion

Have slight digestion problems? You can fix it by adding some pineapple to your regular diet.

Bromelain, dietary fiber, and vitamin C – all present in pineapples – promote better digestion.

12. Improve gut health

Did you know that the bacteria outnumber our cells 10 to 1? And most of them happen to reside in our guts, meaning keeping a healthy gut flora is essential.

Pineapples have proved to sooth inflammatory bowel diseases by reducing gut inflammation and preventing diarrhea. Also, it helps digesting protein-rich foods like steak better.

13. Relieve nausea

A glass of pineapple juice can help you beat morning nausea for pregnant women.^[8]

Also, anyone suffering from motion sickness can drink a few glasses of pineapple juice before heading to the airport or sneak a bottle for a long bus trip.

14. A great solution for acne

In this case, pineapples can be used both externally and internally to improve your skin condition, thanks to the great anti-inflammatory qualities of vitamin C, bromelain and special enzymes.

Mix it with some turmeric and you have an amazing natural mask to treat your face.

15. Help treating foot cracks

Been hitting the road for too long? Treat your feet with a pineapple scrub to get some soothing relief for inflammation and swelling, triggered by the cracks and make your feet smooth and radiant.

16. Strengthen your nails

If your organism lacks vitamin A and B, your nails are likely to break and crack a lot.

To keep your nails strong and healthy, use pineapple. A source of both, it could be applied topical and munched regularly.

17. Cure chapped lips

Mix pineapple with coconut oil to sooth chapped skin and hydrate it properly. It’s healthy and tasty at the same time, so no worries if you lick off some mixture before it soaks.

18. Prevent hair loss and make it thicker

Vitamin C antioxidant properties are a powerful mean against free radicals that damage hair growth. Pineapple extracts, when applied to the scalp, are known to provide vital nutrients to the follicles to make your hair grow better, thicker, and more shiny.

19. Improve fertility

As free radicals can damage the reproductive system, getting a regular intake of antioxidants pineapples is highly recommended for couples trying to conceive.^[9]

Vitamin C, beta-carotene, copper and the other vitamins and minerals present can positively affect both male and female fertility.

20. Help your body produce more energy

Manganese, which is abundant in pineapples, is a key co-factor boosting the creation of enzymes that a responsible for production of energy within your body.

Feeling sluggish? Eat some pineapples!

21. Prevent asthma

Beta-carotene is found in pineapples can lower the risk of asthma.^[10]

Pineapples also help to detox your organism from harmful substances and reduce inflammation levels caused by stress, pollution and poor nutrition.

22. Help with your mental health

Pineapple is full of amino acid tryptophan that your body uses to produce serotonin – the “happy hormone”.

Getting enough amino acid, along with other nutrients like vitamin B is essential to keep your neurological system up and running smoothly – for enough energy and positive mood hormones.

Healthy pineapple recipes (tasty and easy-to-make)

Now that you know all the amazing health benefits of pineapple, are you ready to get one and enjoy it?

Here I have some recommendations of healthy pineapple recipes for you so you can enjoy the benefits of pineapple as much as dishes made out of them.

Pineapple & Avocado Salad

Get the recipe here.

Grilled Pineapple with Mint Sugar

Get the recipe here.

Chocolate Dipped Pineapple Slices with Toasted Coconut

Get the recipe here.

Pineapple Fried Rice

Get the recipe here.

Pineapple Mango Buffalo Chicken Taco Bowls with Avocado Ranch Dressing

Get the recipe here.