Pineapple

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is an incredibly delicious, healthy tropical fruit. This fruit has a tough rind made up of hexagonal units and a fibrous, juicy flesh which may be yellow to white in color. Pineapples may reach 1.5–1.8 m (5–6 ft) in height. Originating in South America, it was named by early European colonisers for its resemblance to a pine cone.  The pineapple was brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus.

 IMPRESSIVE HEALTH BENEFITS 

• Low in calories, loaded with nutrients, like Vitamin C and Manganese.
• High in Fibre
• Contains disease-fighting antioxidants that may reduce risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
• May aid digestion due to the presence of bromelain which is a digestive enzyme that helps breakdown protein.
• May reduce  risk of cancer. 
• May boost immunity and suppress inflammation. 
• Osteoarthritis Relief. 
• The bromelain also helps to speed recovery after surgery or strenuous exercise.
• Consuming pineapple at night 30 mins before your dinner can help with having a better sleep as it is high in melatonin.

Easy Ways to Add Pineapple to Your Diet.

• The fresh fruit is easy to find in many grocery stores and markets, even out of season. You can buy it canned, dehydrated, or frozen year-round.
• Breakfast:  smoothie with pineapple, blueberry, and Greek yogurt
• Salad: tropical roast chicken, almonds, blueberries, and pineapple atop lettuce or other greens
• Lunch: homemade Hawaiian burgers (beef burgers with a pineapple ring)
• Dinner: pineapple fried rice and seitan
• Dessert: homemade pineapple whip (frozen pineapple chunks blended with a splash of coconut milk and a dash of lemon juice)

Possible Health Risk

Pineapple is widely considered safe, though a small percentage of people may have an allergy to it. People who have diabetes or take blood thinners should be mindful of portion sizes when eating pineapple.

Did You Know?

• A pineapple can take up to 3 years to grow and mature into a plant.
• Only one pineapple is produced by a single plant in a single season
• A pineapple plant can stay alive and continue giving fruits for up to 50 years.
• 75% of all pineapples sold in Europe are grown in Costa Rica
• You can grow pineapple plants by slicing off the top of a pineapple and planting it in soil.
• The pineapple symbol represents warm welcomes, celebration and hospitality.

Useful Tip

To ripen your too-green pineapple, place it in a paper bag. Placing a banana in the bag, as well will speed up the process. The bag traps ethylene gas, emitted by the fruit and accelerates ripening.