Pineapple (pineapple comosus) is a tropical fruit grown worldwide and is being studied for its potential uses in pain management, digestion, inflammation, and other health conditions.
bromelain It is an important enzyme and bioactive compound found in pineapple that has been found to prevent the inflammatory process and provide other health benefits.
This article will discuss the safety and potential health benefits of pineapple and bromelain.
Pineapple Nutrition
You can eat and enjoy pineapple in a variety of ways as part of a balanced diet. It can be consumed raw, grilled or roasted. It’s often used in smoothies, ice cream, baked goods, salsas, drinks and more.
Pineapple is a source of macronutrients, micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) and fiber. It also contains bioactive compounds such as bromelain.
Pineapple nutritional value per 100g/half cup
- Calorie: 50
- Carbohydrates: 13.1 grams (g)
- Protein: 0.54g
- Total fat: 0.12g
- Total Sugars: 9.85 grams
- Fiber: 1.4 grams
- Calcium: 13 milligrams (mg)
- Iron: 0.29mg
- C vitamin: 47.8 mg
- Vitamin A: 58 international units (IU)
- Potassium: 109 mg
- Manganese: 0.93mg
- Magnesium: 12mg
- Folate: 18 micrograms (mcg)
- Choline: 5.5mg
People on certain diets may need to limit or avoid pineapple.
While pineapple is part of a healthy diet for people with diabetes, those on a ketogenic diet may need to avoid it.
Benefits of Pineapple
Due to its bromelain content and other bioactive compounds, pineapple is believed to provide certain health benefits.
However, there is little research on pineapple, making it difficult to confirm its possible effects.
Some more research has been done on bromelain. These studies suggest that bromelain may help with burns, muscle aches, pains, inflammation, and digestive issues. However, some studies have yielded conflicting results.
Some of the existing research on pineapple and bromelain is summarized in the following sections.
What does a pineapple plant look like?
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May Improve Digestion
Pineapple is believed to have positive effects on digestion. This may be due to the fiber and digestive enzymes present in it.
In a laboratory study, pineapple juice obtained from the stems and peels appeared to increase prebiotic function in a simulated human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. By aiding the function of prebiotics, pineapple juice has also been linked to an increase in probiotics (or “good bacteria”) in the digestive tract, which may improve digestion and gut health.
A study on mice revealed the potential balancing effect of pineapple on the gut microbiome. The positive results were attributed to the digestive enzymes found in bromelain.
While laboratory and animal studies have been somewhat helpful, human research on the effects of pineapple and bromelain on digestion is still needed.
May Reduce Pain
Bromelain has been taken for pain in various forms of integrative medicine.
There is evidence that bromelain reduces inflammation and increases circulation to the injury site, leading to less pain. Action is being considered bradykinina pain mediator.
Additional research has found that bromelain may play a role in treating pain in certain conditions. Calcification, neuropathy (nerve pain) and sports injuries.
Bromelain may also help with pain and inflammation caused by surgery. Research shows that bromelain reduces post-surgical swelling and therefore pain.
Overall, larger-scale studies are needed in this area to further determine how bromelain may improve various types of pain.
May Help Fatty Liver
High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) is a risk factor for fatty liver disease. Pineapple may reduce this risk.
According to a study conducted on mice, pineapple has antioxidant and cholesterol-lowering properties.
In the study, mice ate a high-cholesterol diet and pineapple for eight weeks. Compared to mice fed a standard diet, those who consumed pineapple had reduced levels of both cholesterol and triglycerides in their liver and blood. In general, pineapple has been associated with reduced aspects of fatty liver.
Other animal and laboratory studies have found similar results. But unfortunately, human studies on pineapple against fatty liver are not yet available.
The above study was conducted on animals; The results should be considered as preliminary evaluation.
May Improve Vascular Health
Your blood vessels (arteries, veins, and capillaries) make up your body’s vascular system. Vascular health is essential for circulation and blood flow.
Pineapple may improve vascular health by reducing cholesterol and lipid formation in blood vessels.
In one study, pineapple reduced structural changes in the aortas of rats fed a high-cholesterol diet for eight weeks. It was also observed that rats consuming pineapple had better vascular functions due to the decrease in tension in the blood vessels.
Another study on rats concluded that pineapple has antioxidant and lipid-lowering properties that aid vascular health.
However, there is still almost no research on the effects of pineapple on people’s vascular health. These studies on mice show promising results, but more research is needed.
May Reduce Inflammation
According to laboratory and animal studies, pineapple may reduce inflammation.
Bromelain (a bioactive substance found in pineapple) has been found to prevent inflammation in various test-tube studies. But scientists aren’t sure how bromelain does this.
Pineapple consumption in rats has also been associated with reduced inflammation.
In one study, researchers fed mice a pineapple plus high-cholesterol diet for eight weeks. Pineapple reduced inflammatory markers normally seen in mice on high-cholesterol diets. These results suggest that pineapple may have a cardioprotective effect.
However, more research is needed to prove that these effects are possible not only in mice but also in humans.
Supplement use should be individualized and reviewed by a healthcare professional such as a registered dietitian, nutritionist (RD or RDN), pharmacist, or healthcare provider. No supplement is intended to treat, cure or prevent disease.
Pineapple Safety
Pineapple is generally considered safe, but some people may need to limit it or avoid it altogether.
It is possible, although rare, to be allergic to pineapple or its bioactive component bromelain. Avoid pineapple and bromelain if you are allergic to it.
Get medical help right away if you have symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as itching, hives, or trouble breathing.
Even if you are not allergic to pineapple or bromelain, it is possible to experience side effects when consuming them. This can be especially true if you have a lot of things. Swallowing too much bromelain can cause:
Use caution when consuming bromelain while pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not known whether bromelain is safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Bromelain may interact with the antibiotic amoxicillin. There are also concerns that bromelain may interact with blood thinners, but more research is needed to confirm this potential interaction.
Additional precautions and interactions may exist for bromelain or pineapple. Be sure to talk to a healthcare professional before using bromelain or pineapple, especially if you are taking any medications or have a medical condition.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the same way it regulates prescription drugs. This means that some supplement products may not contain what is stated on the label.
When choosing a supplement, look for third-party tested products and consult a healthcare professional, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Summary
Pineapple (pineapple comosus) is a tropical fruit containing the active ingredient bromelain.
Both pineapple and bromelain are thought to provide various health benefits. However, more research is needed to determine their potential use in many areas.
Pineapple is considered safe for most people to consume, but you may need to avoid it if you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or taking certain medications. If you are allergic, you should also stay away from pineapple.
To learn more about pineapple, talk to a healthcare professional.