Eating pineapple every day can not only help you satisfy your sweet cravings, but also provide you with plenty of fiber for satiety and overall health
Pineapple is packed with nutrients. Eating pineapple every day can not only help you satisfy your sweet cravings, but also provide you with plenty of fiber for satiety and overall health.
One cup of pineapple chunks (165 grams) contains:
- 82.5 kilocalories
- 142 grams of water
- 2.3 grams of fiber
- 21.6 grams of carbohydrates
- 0.891 grams of protein
- 0.198 grams of fat
- 79 mg of vitamin C
Pineapples also contain several minerals (calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, selenium, and copper) and vitamins (vitamin C, folate, B vitamins, and vitamins A, E, and K).
13 health benefits of eating pineapple
- Helps fight inflammation
- Promotes gut health and aids digestion
- Helps relieve arthritis symptoms
- Helps fight infections
- May reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases (such as heart attack and stroke)
- Helps maintain healthy teeth and bones
- Helps heal wounds
- Helps with weight loss
- Helps relieve muscle soreness and aids post-workout recovery
- Promotes healthy hair, skin, and nails
- May help prevent and promote recovery from respiratory infections, including bronchitis and sinus infections
- Boosts recovery and healing after surgery
- May help prevent cancer
Do pineapples cause any side effects?
Pineapple is generally well tolerated by most people.
However, some people may have a pineapple allergy, which presents as hives, swelling, or difficulty breathing. People allergic to pineapple may also have other allergies, such as allergy to latex, celery, honeybee venom, olive tree pollen, cypress pollen, and papain.
Some people experience tingling or burning of the mouth when eating pineapple. This sensation is normal and occurs due to a protein-digesting compound called bromelain. Excessive intake of pineapple can, however, cause severe swelling of the mouth and tongue. Hence, exercising moderation is recommended.
Bromelain supplements can cause side effects such as diarrhea, skin rash, vomiting, and excessive menstrual bleeding. Vomiting can also occur on consuming the juice of unripe pineapples.
Can pregnant women eat pineapples?
Pregnant women and lactating mothers can eat pineapples, as they contain several nutrients that may boost the health of the mother and baby.
Excessive consumption, however, must be avoided because pineapple can cause acid reflux (heartburn), which is quite common in pregnancy. Furthermore, excess pineapple may cause diarrhea and cramps which mimic labor. Women who have latex allergies often tend to have an allergy to pineapples, so caution must be exercised in such cases as well.
If you are concerned about the safety of consuming pineapples while pregnant, talk to your gynecologist.