PINEAPPLE AND ITS VALUE

BY: ISHA
LIZA
DAIVIK
ANIKET

Thepineapple(Ananas comosus) is a tropical,

perennial, drought-tolerant plant. it grows up to
5-8 ft in height and spreads around about 3-4 feet
radius cover. It is essentially a short, stout stem
with a rosette of waxy long, needle-tipped leaves.
Its pulp is juicy and fleshy with the stem serving
as a supporting fibrous core. The outer skin
features rough, tough, and scaly rind. The colour
in the ripe fruits may be yellow, orange-yellow or
reddish. Internally, its juicy flesh may range from
creamy white to yellow and has a mix of sweet
and tart taste with rich flavour. Each fruit
measures up to 12 inches in length and weighs 1
to 8 pounds or more.

NUTRITIOUS
VALUE OF
PINEAPPLE

CARBOHYDRATES: The carbohydrates

in pineapples are mostly simple sugars.
They also contain some fiber.
This means that pineapples should not
have any major effects on blood sugar
levels, at least on healthy people.
VITAMINS AND MINERALS: Pineapples
are great source of several vitamins
and minerals. Like: vitamin C,
Manganese, Copper, Folate(B9).

HEALTH BENEFITS OF
PINEAPPLE

Fresh pineapple is low in calories.

Nonetheless, it is a storehouse for
several unique health promoting
compounds, minerals and vitamins that
are essential for optimum health.
Pineapple fruit contains a proteolytic
enzymebromelainthat digests food by
breaking down protein. Bromelain also
has anti-inflammatory, anti-clotting and
anti-cancer properties.

Fresh pineapple is an excellent source of

antioxidant vitamin;vitamin C. 100 g
fruit contains 47.8 or 80% of this vitamin.
Vitamin C is required for the collagen
synthesis in the body. Regular
consumption of foods rich in vitamin C
helps the body protect from scurvy;
develop resistance against infectious
agents (boosts immunity).
It also contains small amount Vitamin A.
Vitamin A is also required maintaining
healthy mucusa, skin and is essential for
vision.

DESCRIPTION

Pineapple,Ananas comosus, belongs to

theBromeliaceaefamily. The Spanish name
for pineapple,pina, and the root of its English
name, reflects the fruit's visual similarity to
the pinecone.
Pineapples are actually not just one fruit but
a composite of many flowers whose
individual fruitlets fuse together around a
central core. Each fruitlet can be identified by
an "eye," the rough spiny marking on the
pineapple's surface.

Pineapples have a wide cylindrical

shape, a scaly green, brown or yellow
skin and a regal crown of spiny, bluegreen leaves. The fibrous flesh of
pineapple is yellow in colour.

HOW TO SELECT AND

STORE

Look for pineapples that are heavy for

their size. While larger pineapples will
have a greater proportion of edible flesh,
there is usually no difference in quality
between a small and large size pineapple.
Pineapples should be free of soft spots,
bruises and darkened "eyes," all of which
may indicate that the pineapple is past its
prime. Avoid pineapple that smells musty,
sour or fermented.

Pineapple that has been cut up should

be stored in the refrigerator in an
airtight container. It will stay fresher
and retain more taste and juiciness.

ADVERSE EFEECTS AND

INDIVIDUAL CONCERN

Most people tolerate pineapples well,

but they may cause mouth irritation in
some individuals.
Pineapples may also interfere with the
function of some medications.

MOUTH IRRITATION

Some people experience mouth

discomfort after consuming pineapples,
a harmless condition that should
resolve in a couple of hours.
This is caused by bromelain.

Pineapple Allergy and

Cross-Reactivity

Pineapples may in some cases cause

allergic reactions, with symptoms like
itching, rashes, runny nose, abdominal
pain, vomiting and diarrhoea, and even
severe allergic shock.

Medication Concerns

Individuals taking medication, such as

blood thinners, should consult with
their doctor before incorporating
pineapples or bromelain supplements
into their daily routine.
Pineapples are known to prevent
accumulation of blood platelets, and
may have a blood thinning effect.

PINEAPPLE FACTS
Pineapples were discovered by
Europeans in 1493 on the Caribbean
island of Guadalupe.
Early attempts by Europeans to cultivate
the fruit failed until they realized that the
fruit needs a tropical climate to flourish.
By the end of the 16th century,
Portuguese and Spanish explorers
introduced pineapples into their Asian,
African and South Pacific colonies.

Glazed, sugar-coated pineapples were

a luxurious treat, and fresh pineapple
itself became a symbol of prestige and
social class.
It takes almost three years for a
pineapple to mature.
The skins, core and end portions are
used to make a variety of products,
including vinegar, alcohol and
animalfood.

SUMMARY

For the majority of people, pineapples

are a great addition to the diet.
They are a good source of many
vitamins and minerals, with an
abundance of vitamin C and manganese.
They are also the only source of a
powerful plant compound called
bromelain, which is responsible for many
of their health benefits.

These include accelerated wound

healing, improved digestion, cancer
prevention, reduced inflammation and
enhanced immune function.
With their sweet taste, pineapples are
a perfect ingredient to freshen up your
meals.