Pineapple – the “fragrance” of health

[15 February 2012 - 15h46]

Did you know that the Amerindian name for pineapple – ‘nana’ – means “fragrance of fragrances”? The name is well deserved because this flavoursome fruit makes a delicious and refreshing dessert.

It is also a good source of potassium, vitamins B1, B2 and B9, and is especially rich in vitamin C. One 150g portion of pineapple provides 27mg of vitamin C … ie more than a third of the recommended daily intake. Pineapples are also a source of provitamin A, which is particularly good for the eyes. In fact, the concentration of vitamin A in this fruit is directly linked to its colour. A pineapple with richly coloured flesh is more likely to have a high provitamin A content than a paler one. And the fibre content of pineapples makes them an effective diuretic, helping to combat a sluggish digestive system.

Because of the bromelin they contain, pineapples have an unusual affect on the digestive process. The enzyme bromelin triggers protein digestion. This means that eating fresh pineapple as part of your meal will make it easier to digest meat and fish. Pineapples are also claimed to “burn fat” but this reputation doesn’t appear to be justified, as eating pineapple does not seem to have any affect on weight loss.

When choosing a pineapple, check that it’s firm to the touch and free from blemishes. One of the best ways of checking if a pineapple is ripe is to pull on one of the leaves, If it comes out easily … it’s ready to eat.

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