pine apple is one of the best antioxidant rich fruit for preventing obesity &cancers. Pineapple can prevent inflammation due to the presence of bromelain.
The pineapple is the edible nutritious fruit of a perennial herbaceous plant ananas comosus. It is a native to north American region , now widely cultivated all over the world. It is also grown abundantly in India .
Nutritional facts about pineapple
Pineapple is rich in several antioxidant vitamins including vitamin A and C which play pivotal role in boosting immunity.
It contains a proteolytic agent Bromelain which has crucial role in obesity management. The antioxidants of pineapple help to prevent numerous non- communicable diseases.
It is a great source of potassium and calcium and help cardiovascular health as well as strength of bones. Manganese in pineapple regulates the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates.
Moreover, pineapple contains eight phenolic compounds antioxidants including gallic acid, gentisic acid, syringic acid, vanillin, ferulic acid, sinapic acid, isoferulic acid and o-coumaric acid. They are potent anti -inflammatory agents also.
The pineapple is comparatively low in carbs and calories. It can be consumed even by obese people.
The fruit is rich in dietary fiber and can be used by people having high cholesterol. Fat binding capacity of pineapple is very high. Pineapple contains both soluble and insoluble fibre which helps in weight loss inducing the feeling of satiety or fullness after eating.
Pineapple is full of water which can keep the body hydrated.
The fruit contains 86% water, 13% carbohydrates, 0.5% protein, and contains negligible fat.
Pineapple is a medium glycaemic index fruit [55-66]. However, very ripe pineapple has high glycaemic index[73-82] which can cause sugar spike. Therefore, over ripe pineapple consumption in excessive amount is not recommended for diabetics. Eat moderately ripe pineapple in moderate amounts.
Research studies about role of pineapple in weight loss or obesity management.
One study [1] shows that pineapple juice intake decreased lipogenesis or fat deposition and increased lipolysis or fat degradation. This study elucidates the role of pineapple in fat degradation and thus helping in weight loss.
pineapple contain high amount of vitamin C which plays a role as antioxidant-based treatments to counteract obesity, fat accumulation &complications.
Moreover, the phenolic compounds in pineapple could contribute the anti-obesity effect of pineapple.
However, further extensive studies are required to separate active ingredients and to determine their individual efficacy or role in obesity management or in facilitating weight loss.
Role of pine apple in the prevention of cancers
It is very evident from decade long research that obesity may predispose to several types of cancers. In the same way fat deposition increases the inflammatory process along with carbohydrates. Chronic inflammation is an important factor activating cancer prone cells in the body. Bromelain of pineapple has great anti-inflammatory properties.
Inflammation is a crucial factor in the development of cancer during cellular transformation, proliferation, angiogenesis, invasion and metastasis.
Studies on cancer cells have shown that suppression of chronic inflammation may reduce the cancer incidence and it can also inhibit cancer progression. Pineapple can prevent inflammation due to the presence of bromelain.
Cyclooxigenase-2 (COX-2) is an important component of cancer-associated inflammation that is involved in the synthesis of prostaglandin E2 (PGE-2). PGE-2 is a pro-inflammatory lipid that also acts as an immunosuppressant, as well as a promoter of tumor progression.
Research study [2]has shown that bromelain of pineapple downregulates COX-2 and PGE-2 expression levels in murine microglial cells and human monocytic leukemia cell lines.
Furthermore, Bromelain can also activate your immune system in association with the rapid response to cellular stress.
In addition,Pine apple also contains these vitamins and minerals:
· Thiamin
· Riboflavin
· Vitamin b-6
· Folate
· Pantothenic acid
· Magnesium
· Manganese
· Potassium
· Beta-carotene
All these nutrients play vital role in maintaining healthy functioning of human body in multiple ways.
It would be a wise dietary choice to include pineapple in your diet as a breakfast item along with other low carb and protein rich foods for achieving weight loss.
written by Dr.Sanjana.v.b
References
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6170270/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7529614/