| All fresh fruits including pineapple are packed with | | | | pineapples with soft spots or areas of dark |
| enzymes however pineapple is well known for being | | | | discoloration. Eat pineapple at room temperature to |
| packed with an enzyme called bromelain. This gives | | | | appreciate their full flavor. |
| the fruit some amazing natural anti-inflammatory and | | | | Pineapple "Rum Pud" |
| analgesic properties. Of course like most fruits it's | | | | One or two pineapples |
| bursting with vitamin C. They are second only to | | | | Add fresh mango (or frozen - you prepared when |
| bananas as America's favorite tropical fruit. | | | | they were in season) |
| It is this the enzyme bromelain that makes pineapple | | | | Fresh Ginger |
| useful in treating bruises, sprains and strains by | | | | Thick coconut milk |
| reducing swelling, tenderness and pain. This | | | | A dash or two of rum |
| anti-inflammatory property will help in relieving | | | | A banana or two |
| osteo-arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis symptoms as | | | | Leave the leaves on the pineapple and cut a pineapple |
| well as reducing post-operative swelling. Bromelain also | | | | in half length ways. Scoop or cut out the flesh leaving |
| acts as a digestive enzymes aiding in protein digestion. | | | | the pineapple halves in tack to use as containers. Cut |
| Most of the bromelain is concentrated in the core of | | | | up the flesh into cubes removing the stem. Put the |
| the pineapple and for this reason I always add the | | | | pineapple into a bowl, add freshly grated ginger to |
| stem to my smoothies. Pineapple is also known to help | | | | taste, thick coconut milk and a little rum, slice or chop |
| with fluid retention. | | | | up bananas and mix all ingredients together. Place the |
| To gain the benefit of bromelain as an | | | | ingredients back into the pineapple halves and serve |
| anti-inflammatory or as a digestive enzyme, it is | | | | immediately. |
| important to know that enzymes are very sensitive to | | | | Pineapple makes a very good addition to smoothies, |
| light and temperatures especially heat. So any | | | | with papaya, some pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, and a |
| commercially bought pineapple products will be dead | | | | banana. Besides being high in bromelain and vitamin C, |
| so to speak, the enzymes will have been destroyed. | | | | pineapples are also a rich source of beta carotene, |
| This goes for bought juices, canned, frozen, and dried | | | | potassium, vitamin B-1 (cofactor in enzymatic reactions |
| pineapple. | | | | vital to energy production, vitamin B-2, iron, fiber, |
| When choosing a fresh pineapple color isn't necessarily | | | | manganese (co-factor in a number of enzymes |
| a good indicator of ripeness, some are in their prime | | | | needed for energy production and anti-oxidant |
| when still green, it depends on the variety, ranging from | | | | defense), omega-3 fatty acids, calcium and some |
| green to yellow. The most important factor in | | | | friendly bacteria. |
| determining ripeness is aroma let your nose help you | | | | Do you know? The part of the fruit closest to the |
| decide. Ripe pineapples give off a sweet, fresh tropical | | | | base of the fruit has more sugar content and |
| smell. Avoid pineapples that give off a slightly alcoholic | | | | therefore a sweeter taste and more tender texture |
| smell, they are too ripe and are fermenting. Avoid | | | | than the upper part of the fruit. |