Pineapple

Pineapples are sweet, convenient and easy to incorporate into your diet. You can enjoy them on their own or in smoothies, salads or on homemade pizzas.

Here are a few easy recipe ideas that use fresh pineapple:

• Breakfast: Pineapple, blueberry and Greek yogurt smoothie
• Salad: Tropical roast chicken, almond, blueberry and pineapple salad
• Lunch: Homemade Hawaiian burgers (beef burgers with a pineapple ring)
• Dinner: Baked ham with pineapple and cherries
• Dessert: Pineapple fruit salad

Nutrition Values

• Pineapples are packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals. They are especially rich in vitamin C and manganese.
• Pineapples are a good source of antioxidants, which may reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Many of the antioxidants in pineapple are bound, so they may have longer lasting effects.
• Pineapples contain bromelain, a group of digestive enzymes that breaks down proteins. This may aid digestion, especially in those with pancreatic insufficiency.
• Pineapple contains compounds that reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, both of which are linked to cancer. One of these compounds is the enzyme bromelain, which may stimulate cell death in certain cancer cells and aid white blood cell function.
• Pineapples have anti-inflammatory properties that may boost the immune system.
• The anti-inflammatory properties of pineapple may provide short-term symptom relief for people with common types of arthritis.
• The bromelain in pineapples may reduce the inflammation, swelling, bruising and pain that occurs after surgery. Bromelain’s anti-inflammatory properties may also aid recovery after strenuous exercise by reducing tissue inflammation.