Pineapple Has A Lot of Health Benefits. What About It Side Effects?

 

The best tropical fruit is the pineapple. It's a nice breakfast topper, a tasty snack, and it's even healthy! Pineapple can boost your immune system by helping your body recover from illness. It also contains the antioxidant Bromelain, which aids in the relief of sore throats and irritated tissues.

What Is Pineapple?

Pineapple (species name Ananas comosus) is a tropical plant with an edible fruit. It is considered the most economically significant plant in the Bromeliaceae plant family.

Fresh pineapple is a sweet and tasty tropical fruit that has long been renowned for its powerful antioxidants that can be used to treat a variety of ailments. It can also be used to cure acne, improve eyesight, stimulate weight loss, and lower cholesterol. With all of the benefits of the pineapple, it's no surprise that it's gaining popularity year after year. However, in order to completely experience the pineapple's remarkable benefits, you should first learn more about its dietary facts and adverse effects.

What Are the Potential Health Benefits of Pineapple?

Aside from the healthy nutritional profile of pineapple, here’s what the current research says about the potential health benefits of this fruit:

1. May Lower Blood Cholesterol

According to a preliminary evaluation of many tropical fruits, rats administered pineapple extract every day for 30 days had decreased serum lipid profiles, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). As a result, the authors saw better cardiovascular health and less inflammation. Human research are needed to see if these possible effects are shared by people.

2. Pineapple to improve bone strength

Pineapple can also help you get stronger because it promotes bone health. Pineapple includes manganese, a mineral that promotes the formation of strong bones and connective fibers. Manganese, when mixed with other necessary minerals, has been shown in studies to assist women prevent osteoporosis.

3. Decreased Inflammation Like other types of fruit, pineapple is high in antioxidants, a feature that may reduce inflammation in the body. While no single food can ward off inflammation, eating a diet full of antioxidant-rich foods like pineapple may reduce your lifetime risk of inflammatory diseases, such as autoimmune disorders, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and liver and kidney diseases.

4. High in Fiber

Fruits that are high in fiber may help lower your risk of chronic diseases, including colorectal cancer. Fiber can also lower your blood glucose levels.

Type 2 diabetics are encouraged to consume whole fruits and veggies, according to the American Diabetes Association, for their fiber and essential nutrients. They may show signs of improved blood sugar, lipids and insulin levels when including these foods in their diets.

Because of its high fiber content and volume, one of the benefits of pineapple is that it can help make you feel full with little calories.

5. Could Aid in Asthma Prevention

Plant meals containing beta-carotene, such as pineapples, may help reduce the incidence of respiratory inflammation and asthma.

Toxins, poor diet, pollution, antibiotic overuse, and stress all have a part in asthma development. All of these causes contribute to inflammation, however one of the benefits of pineapple is that it can help reduce inflammation through its detoxifying properties.

6. Benefits of pineapple for diabetes

• Vitamin C also offers protection against free radicals, which are substances that attack healthy cells.

• The accumulation of radicals can lead to atherosclerosis, heart disease or diabetes.

8. Prevents bacterial plaque.

• It prevents the formation of bacterial plaque due to the high amount of vitamin C it has, something that

• Helps prevent gum disease.

9. Benefits of pineapple for skin

• Pineapple has enzymes that make the skin more elastic and at the same time improves hydration.

• Eliminates damaged or dead cells, achieving a bright complexion.

• It allows to diminish the spots on the skin and fine lines.

10. Pineapple reduces blood clots

Pineapple is also useful in reducing excessive coagulation of blood. Blood clots can be very fatal, especially in the case of people suffering from strokes. Therefore, Pineapple is an excellent snack for a person who is at a constant risk for blood clots, for example frequent fliers like air-force officers, pilots and cabin crew attendants.

Some Side Effects Of Pineapple

1. Allergy

What?

Consumption of pineapples can lead to allergic reactions in a few people.

How?

Pineapple has ‘meat-tenderizing’ properties, which may trigger allergic reactions. Pineapple may also cause latex allergies in some (1). Mostly these reactions would resolve within a few hours by themselves. But if not, then a medical practitioner should be consulted immediately.

2. Blood Sugar Levels

What?

This is one of the serious side effects excess intake of pineapple can cause. Overconsumption of pineapples may spike blood sugar levels in susceptible individuals. This obviously does pose complications.

How?

Pineapples are one of those fruits that contain glucose and sucrose sugars. And because of this, they may elevate blood sugar levels in our body (2). Most fruits contain carbohydrates and these can also raise the blood sugar levels. ½ cup of pineapple has 15 grams of carbohydrates.

3. Drug Interactions

What?

Pineapple might even interfere or interact with certain types of medications or drugs. This might lead to heightened side effects and other problems.

How?

The bromelain in pineapple may increase the absorption of certain antibiotics like amoxicillin and tetracycline (4). This effect may cause side effects in some individuals.

4. Increase  Risk Of Abortion And Miscarriage

Pineapple is beneficial to pregnant women since it can provide relief from morning sickness. However, the same pineapple can be harmful to the health of pregnant women and their unborn children. Pineapple includes numerous enzymes, some of which can enhance uterine contractions in the early stages of pregnancy, increasing the chance of absorption and leading to miscarriage.

In general, it is acceptable to consume pineapple in later stages of pregnancy; nevertheless, you should always check your doctor about this and incorporate it in your meal plan only on the advise (and according to the recommendation) of a doctor.

5. Can Interact With Certain Medications

The bromelain present in pineapple is great for our health as it provides a lot of benefits but it can also interact with some medications like antibiotics and anticonvulsants, causing trouble for some users. So, if you are on these medications then you should first consult with your doctor before eating this fruit.

High proportions of bromelain and vitamin C can have adverse effects on the body. Also, raw (unripe) pineapple is quite unhealthy for consumption and should be avoided. Some important side effects and risks associated with eating pineapple include:

• Vomiting
• Swelling of mouth and cheeks
• Skin Rashes
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Risks

Sensitivity: Excessive pineapple intake can make you experience some sort of tenderness or sensitivity on your lips, gums, and tongue due to the presence of bromelain

Pregnancy: Bromelain stimulate menstruation, hence pregnant women should avoid too much pineapple in order to prevent any chances of a miscarriage.

Gastro-esophageal reflux diseases (GERD): People suffering from GERD may experience symptoms like heartburn and regurgitation if too much of pineapple is eaten.