Pineapple (Ananas comosus)

Helps digest and fights cellulite

The tropical pineapple or pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a biennial plant, of the bromeliaceae family, up to one and a half meters tall, with a short and thick stem, long, narrow, sharp and rigid leaves, with thorny margins and arranged in a basal rosette.

The flowers appear in a dense central inflorescence, which gives rise to a fleshy infructescence: pineapple, exquisite and refreshing, which facilitates digestion and reduces the feeling of stomach heaviness, which is why it forms an important part of the desserts of sumptuous Christmas dinners. .

It is believed that it was Christopher Columbus who brought it to Europe, where it received the name pineapple due to the resemblance of its fruits to pine cones.

The main component of pineapple is water, which makes it a low-calorie food, but instead it is very rich in vitamin C and to a lesser extent in folic acid and B vitamins, and contains notable proportions of minerals such as iron, phosphorus, sulfur and, above all, magnesium and potassium.

Its biochemical composition is completed with malic and citric acids, responsible for its somewhat sour taste, glucose, sucrose and a proteolytic enzyme, bromelain or bromelain, which promotes good digestion.

Medicinal properties

The heart of the pineapple, rich in bromelain, It is indicated as a support in weight control therapies and to combat cellulite. Due to its high potassium content, pineapple is diuretic, cleansing, anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic. Combats edema and fluid retention, and prevents the appearance of urinary tract infections. It also has hypolipidemic capacity and vasodilator and inhibits platelet aggregation, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and arteriosclerosis. It is also mucolytic and antibacterial, thinning the mucus that accompanies bacterial infections such as bronchitis or sinusitis. Pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme that facilitates the breakdown of ingested proteins. These are converted into amino acids, which are well assimilated, alleviating heavy digestions and stomach acidity. The digestive benefits that pineapple provides can be taken advantage of by taking it as a fruit or in powder or capsule form. in external use, the decoction of its leaves is used to clean wounds, sores and superficial burns.

herbal formulas

On weight loss diets: To benefit from its weight control and anti-cellulite properties, it is enough to take a level tablespoon of pineapple heart powder before lunch and dinner. To improve the flavor it can be mixed with cinnamon powder, which is also a valid remedy in case of slow and heavy digestions, since it replaces the lack of gastric juices, essential to stimulate digestion. In fibromyalgia, joint pain and gout: Administered in powder form -a dessert spoonful three times a day or in capsules-, and associated with papain, pineapple is appropriate for reducing joint pain and gout, and has been indicated as support in the case of suffering from fibromyalgia. .

Precautions

This fruit, however, is contraindicated in cases of gastroduodenal ulcer and gastritis, due to its acids and its ability to stimulate gastric juices.

Presentation

To enjoy its properties and health benefits, it can be eaten raw, as a dessert or in imaginative tropical salads, but also in juices and soft drinks. In herbalists it is sold in powder (pineapple heart), in capsules and in liquid extract for external use.

Jordi Cebrian. Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist at “El Manantial de Salud”